Little to say on bonuses for players
NEWCASTLE United players are believed to still be waiting for their bonus packages to be decided – despite the new season starting in just eight days.
The squad do not feel the time is right to talk about the season’s objectives with so much uncertainty.
The players left SC Braga’s Estádio Municipal without saying anything to the travelling media in Portugal.
The players held a meeting to decide not to talk after the 4-0 hammering against the Portuguese side - but it was not understood to be because of the result or anything to do with the lack of recruitment.
Players were still affable towards the media on their way to the team bus ahead of their red-eye flight home from Portugal - but nobody stopped to give any player interviews.
Even the club’s official TV channel and website were not permitted any post-game content from Magpies’ players after their penultimate friendly.
The message from the dressing room after the defeat in Braga was there would be no interviews and it was “nothing personal” towards the press pack.
The situation is expected to be temporary and will be resolved soon.
Rafa Benitez was well aware of the situation after the game and when asked why players weren’t speaking he said: “As I say, things are not going well off the pitch and you can see a reflection.”
In recent years Newcastle players have been in negotiations at the same stage of the year on their bonus.
It must be agreed in time for the start of the Premier League campaign, which starts against Tottenham at St James’ Park next Saturday.
Last year United’s squad agreed to share £4m if the club achieved top-flight survival and £1m for every place above 17th spot.