Newcastle face fine as players boycott TV duties in dispute over bonuses

Newcastle United risk a Premier League fine unless a dispute over players’ bonuses is resolved before their opening-day fixture with Tottenham Hotspur.

A tempestuous pre-season at St James’ Park has worsened with the squad refusing to undertake contractual TV obligations as they make a stand over incentivised payments from their club.

Last season, players were promised £4million to share among the squad for avoiding relegation, with an additional £1million for each position above the bottom four. Newcastle finished 10th.

Negotiations about a similar arrangement in this campaign have been unsuccessful. That has led to players refusing to attend media interviews during pre-season – including with their own club media.

Yesterday, that situation deteriorated significantly. Every top-flight club must assist the Premier League’s host broadcasters as they gather video footage ahead of the new campaign. Players are filmed in “walk-up” shots, which accompany the announcing of team line-ups in televised fixtures, used by Sky, BT and international broadcasters.

Instead, Newcastle players refused to cooperate when cameramen turned up at the club’s Benton Training Centre.

Premier League rules state clubs must carry out the pre-season filming for the rights holders and guarantee pre-match and post-match interviews during the season.

Failure to do so will lead to a punishment, although the Premier League is monitoring the situation in the hope the dispute is resolved before the end of the week.