Rift over Toon game schedule
from BBC Sport, 2 December, 2003
A split has emerged between manager Sir Bobby Robson and his Newcastle United chairman over a decision to force the team to play two games in 48 hours.
Soccer veteran Sir Bobby, hit out at the decision to play a televised clash at Wolves on Saturday lunchtime so soon after Thursday's UEFA Cup match with FC Basle.
Team captain Alan Shearer also labelled as "ridiculous" the decision, which saw Newcastle receive £650,000 in television cash. But Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said high-earning players should expect to play more games.
Sir Bobby argued the Wolves game should have been delayed to give Newcastle players chance to recover from their home win against FC Basle.
Newcastle United chairman But Mr Shepherd said: "We have the fourth biggest wage bill in the Premiership and the money has to be found from somewhere. "That's why Newcastle United explore every avenue so that we can compete with the best teams in Europe. "Our players are on high wages even though we are outside London and we are happy to maintain this. "But if our players feel that they should not have played two games in three days, then they should look no further than Real Madrid. "The Real Madrid vice-president, Emilio Butragueno, told me only this week that they played 68 games last season, and that they were making two tours at the end of next season to Asia and the US. "The Real Madrid players aren't asked if they want to go on these tours, they are just told they are going, it's as simple as that."
Meanwhile, Newcastle were boosted today by the news that they will be seeded in the draw for the UEFA Cup third round. The eight sides which enter the competition following elimination from the Champions League are likely to make up eight of the 16 seeds. But Newcastle, along with the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, Parma and Roma, will definitely be included in that group and therefore avoid the biggest teams in the hat on 12 December.
Nufcmismanagement view:
What proportion of the £650,000 went to dividends?