Newcastle No longer up for sale

Shame...I have a spare fiver left over from xmas !

Do Newcastle Untied still employ Joey Barton?

I have never seen him play, but am aware of him and his criminal record after hearing a North American sports journalist being disgusted that someone with his past record of assault was being allowed to continue to represent either a professional league, or individual team.

The journalist was J.A. Adande of E.S.P.N. and the L.A.Times, on E.S.P.N's 'Around the Horn'.

I recognise that European employment law is quite different from that operated in U.S. Sports, but I am in agreement with J.A. Adande that if such an individual is allowed to represent a professional sport, or team then that sport is only allowing itself to be devalued.

I recognise that no sport is without individuals who break the law, but there should be limits to what should be acceptable while being so prominent as a role model to many, particularly youngsters.

Diccus,

Very decent of you to point to out that at least some uncertainty has been removed from the coming week's episode of the longest running soap in football.

It was nice to see some great football today, just a shame that with the exception of the magnificent Shay Given, it was all from Liverpool.

The fact that all four sides of the ground applauded Gerrard when he was substituted tells you something about the master class in football that was given to Newcastle today by Liverpool.

I have not watched match of the day, there was no need as I was there. After the first six minutes the bloke behind me said he felt he had been at the game since Tuesday, and there was still 84 minutes to go. We were lucky the tally was kept under double figures.

Jamie L,

Barton is currently still employed by Newcastle, but is currently a long term injury after a "tackle" by Wigan's Cattermole in the home game against them. The same player took our our right back Beye on Boxing Day in the away game. Coincidence? I think not.

American sport is clean and free of criminals is it?

I make no excuses for Barton, he has plenty of problems, all of which were clearly evident well before he came to Newcastle. If I had been the manager he would never have been signed, however he is not the only footballer with a record to play in the Premier League. Some have even played whilst tagged FFS!

He does seem to come in for special attention, from both the press and other fans. Having said that, he is clearly a complete "workie ticket" as we say up here, as evidenced by his display at the Sunderland game while he was warming up. This does not excuse the fact that he was being pelted with bottles and coins, for simply running up and down the touchline. Unfortunately I suspect he is likely to provoke this type of reaction wherever he is now, and regardless of his actions.

Munch,

Barton is not the only footballer to have missed out on membership of MENSA. I suspect that if he drops out of football he will have even less chance of putting anything back into society.

All very depressing, just as well a New Year beckons.

Regards

Nic

quote:

Originally posted by nicnaim:
American sport is clean and free of criminals is it?
Nic

I hoped in my comments that I pointed out that no sport is free of bad behaviour.

The point J.A. Adande made was that in addition to legal proceedings by the police, the ruling body of a sport has responsibilities to provide their own discipline. Sports promote their players as role models, particularly to youngsters, the players get great rewards, but should also take responsibility for their position. Public discipline by a sporting body is very visible in the media, and also penalises the team directly, and so makes them have an interest in not condoning the behaviour of some players.

My favourite sport, NFL (American Football) will have an interesting decision to make when ex-Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick is released from prison over the next few months. He was jailed for dog fighting, killing dogs that underperformed, and lying to the courts.

I sincerely hope he never steps foot on a NFL pitch again. Some say that he paid for his activities by time in prison and should be given a fresh start, but I feel that he did not give the dogs in his 'care' any second chances, and he deserves none from the NFL or its fans.

Most U.S. sports have a code of conduct that players sign up to, and they are penalised through their sporting body regardless of any legal proceedings that may or may not take place. Repeat offenders find themselves barred from the sport unless they curb their behaviour.

Perhaps this is something other sports should consider too, but from what I know European employment rights for the individual would probably be in contradiction to this.

A joke about the Dallas Cowboys from the early 90s, when the team did have a reputation for hiring 'bad boys', and bearing in mind that American Football has two distinct sides to a team, offence and defence.

Dallas fan talking to a friend. "I never know whether to cheer for the defence............... or the prosecution".

Jamie

At least some players have the decency to retire first........................................

Steven Gerrard in custody following an altercation in a night club after celebrating the win again against Newcastle! Hero to zero in few hours.

Nic

Innocent until proven guilty please.

Gerard, a big fan of Phil Collins is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. All serious offences. In court on 23rd January..........Joey Barton eat your heart out.......... I bet they stand by Gerard if he is found guilty.

Apparently Michael Shields has been spotted in jail wearing a "Free Stevie G" T shirt.

As the Sun calls him Stevie GBH

quote:

Gerard, a big fan of Phil Collins is charged

Justice in my view - I always thought that should be a criminal offence

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Gerard, a big fan of Phil Collins is charged

Justice in my view - I always thought that should be a criminal offence

I thought I set that one up nicely for you, can I have an assist?

You stand 'em up, he'll knock 'em down!