Newcastle ban Daily Telegraph for suggesting club was up for sale
Newcastle have banned anyone working for the Daily Telegraph from accessing the club, and accused the publication of 'disgraceful journalism.'
The decision comes after an article published in the newspaper on Thursday claimed that owner Mike Ashley was putting the Premier League club up for sale.
A club statement read: "Newcastle United has today banned the Daily Telegraph with immediate effect following a report published in its paper yesterday (Thursday, 11th September), headlined 'Newcastle United For Sale As Ashley Eyes Rangers', as well as a follow-up article from the same reporter which appears in the Daily Telegraph today (Friday, 12th September).
"The reports by Luke Edwards on 11th September, and again today (12th September), are wholly inaccurate and written with the intention of unsettling the Club, players and its supporters.
"This is disgraceful journalism for which the Club and its supporters should receive a full and unreserved apology from those concerned.
"The truth is Mike Ashley remains committed to Newcastle United."
The statement also confirmed that Newcastle would not be sold at any price until at least the end of next season:
"For the avoidance of doubt, this means that for the remainder of this season and AT LEAST until the end of next season, Mike Ashley will not, under any circumstances, sell Newcastle United at any price."
This is not the first time that Ashley has taken drastic measures in response to media coverage.
In May 2013, he banned the Telegraph for reporting about an alleged split in the dressing room, and six months later the Evening Chronical were prevented from attending press conferences and matches following their coverage of Newcastle supporters' protests against the club.