Fascinating stuff, especially about Mike "ayatollah" Ashley... I wonder what the Newcastle board would make of this...
Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias has hit back at Joey Barton after his criticism of club chiefs - and threatened to take legal action against the outspoken QPR captain. Barton, who left Newcastle for QPR in the summer, branded Magpies owner Mike Ashley a "cretin" in an interview this week and claimed he was forced out of St James' Park because he asked questions. He also claimed the club's hierarchy tried to "railroad the players into signing a bonus sheet" and, in a reference to Ashley’s clothing business, said: “They thought we were Sports Direct and we should do what the subordinates at Sports Direct do.” That has prompted an angry response from the club, with Llambias criticising the timing of Barton’s comments, which came just days after the death of former Toon star Gary Speed. "In a week when one of Newcastle United's most beloved footballers passed away, it is disappointing that once again Joey Barton makes the headlines,” read a statement from Llambias. "It is also unfortunate that Joey chose to draw such a disparaging comparison between himself and the employees of Sports Direct, who through hard work and dedication are the recipients of one of the most generous bonus schemes in UK retailing. It may not be a lot of money to Joey, but over 2,000 Sports Direct employees earning £20,000 will receive shares worth over £44,000 over the next two years. "However, in this week of all weeks, we really do not wish to engage in a public war of words with Joey Barton. Our legal advisors are dealing with the matter now and we would encourage Joey to concentrate on his football at Queens Park Rangers. “Our thoughts and attentions this week remain firmly with the family and friends of Gary Speed.”
To be fair he sounded inebriated on all of the pod casts thus far. That said it's still a very good show.
Joey Barton challenges Newcastle chairman Derek Llambias to take a lie detector test Joey Barton has responded to the threat of legal action by Newcastle United chairman Derek Llambias by challenging him to take a lie detector test live on television. In another ugly spat between the bitter midfielder and his former employers, Llambias finally responded to Barton’s constant goading in interviews and on Twitter with a statement that rubbished claims he was sold because of a row over bonuses and that none of Newcastle United’s success this season was down to the board. Barton was also criticised for making insensitive comments about staff who work at Newcastle owner Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct chain. He also accused Ashley and Llambias of breaking promises to him and other players and lying to fans. Clearly annoyed by Barton’s refusal to move on from his acrimonious departure, Llambias said: “In a week when one of Newcastle United’s most beloved footballers passed away, it is disappointing that once again Joey Barton makes the headlines. “It is also unfortunate that Joey chose to draw such a disparaging comparison between himself and the employees of Sports Direct, who through hard work and dedication are the recipients of one of the most generous bonus schemes in UK retailing. “It may not be a lot of money to Joey, but over 2,000 Sports Direct employees earning £20,000 will receive shares worth over £44,000 over the next two years. “However, in this week of all weeks, we really do not wish to engage in a public war of words with Joey Barton. “Our legal advisors are dealing with the matter now and we would encourage Joey to concentrate on his football at Queens Park Rangers.” Barton has previously been able to attack without fear of public riposte as neither Ashley or Llambias are willing to give interviews and reacted in typically volatile fashion when he realised they had issued the statement. The QPR captain’s anger may well land him in hot water with his new club given the guidelines issued to players about the way the use the social networking site. Barton said: “Seen Llambas comments, he is crass and has no class. I’ll leave it for another day but if he wants to take a polygraph live on tv, lets do it. “Not only do I have insurmountable amounts of proof (texts etc) but also about 6 others players who will concur. Am ready when u r Derek… “If he’s worried now, him and his fat mate should be sh*tting it if I decide to write a book. There’ll be no holding back on those 2 muppets.” Although claiming to be happy with his move to QPR, Barton is still upset about having to leave Newcastle in the summer after the club refused to re-open negotiations on a new contract. In an earlier interview Barton said: “It’s all about power and control. They are running the football club and it’s going really well for them at the minute but that’s more a testament to the players and the fans, and also the manager (Alan Pardew). The manager has been different class. He continued: “At Newcastle I couldn’t take to the pitch and lie to the fans and be a part of it. You are doing it for yourself, the fans and the football club but if you fundamentally despise everything that the owners stand for it is very difficult. "I am a man of principles, I am a very principled individual and for me taking money off fans and taking the p*** out of them is not what I am about.” iReader http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...rek-Llambias-to-take-a-lie-detector-test.html
