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FA chairman backs criticism of football club bans on reporters FA chairman backs criticism of football club bans on reporters
(1 day later)
The chairman of the English Football Association (FA) has backed criticism of football clubs that ban media outlets, but admitted that he is powerless to stop them.The chairman of the English Football Association (FA) has backed criticism of football clubs that ban media outlets, but admitted that he is powerless to stop them.
Greg Dyke wrote to the general secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Michelle Stanistreet on Monday addressing the concerns she laid out in a letter to him about the “worrying trend” of banning journalists. Greg Dyke wrote to the general secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Michelle Stanistreet, on Monday addressing the concerns she laid out in a letter to him about the “worrying trend” of banning journalists.
“As a former journalist, censorship of the media is an issue about which I have strong personal views, and I agree with much of what you say,” said Dyke, who is a former director general of the BBC.“As a former journalist, censorship of the media is an issue about which I have strong personal views, and I agree with much of what you say,” said Dyke, who is a former director general of the BBC.
But he said that, while he shared her concerns about the increasingly prevalent practice, the matter was “not within the power” of the FA.But he said that, while he shared her concerns about the increasingly prevalent practice, the matter was “not within the power” of the FA.
“In this instance, the clubs are members of the leagues in which they play and it is for their leagues to set down requirements for the clubs,” he added.“In this instance, the clubs are members of the leagues in which they play and it is for their leagues to set down requirements for the clubs,” he added.
Dyke’s response comes as the BBC announced a boycott of Rangers’ home games after one of its journalists – as well as another from the Times and Herald – was banned from Ibrox stadium.Dyke’s response comes as the BBC announced a boycott of Rangers’ home games after one of its journalists – as well as another from the Times and Herald – was banned from Ibrox stadium.
It follows reports that the Daily Mirror had entered into a commercial relationships with Newcastle United and Sports Direct, the clothing chain founded by the club’s owner Mike Ashley. The Mirror was the only newspaper invited to the announcement of the club’s new manager, Steve McClaren. It follows reports that the Daily Mirror had entered into a commercial relationships with Newcastle United and Sports Direct, the clothing chain founded by the club’s owner, Mike Ashley. The Mirror was the only newspaper invited to the announcement of the club’s new manager, Steve McClaren.
Dyke’s admission comes a week after Stanistreet wrote to complain about the “unacceptable” way in which newspapers were being shut out of football clubs.Dyke’s admission comes a week after Stanistreet wrote to complain about the “unacceptable” way in which newspapers were being shut out of football clubs.
“I am writing to you because of our concern over a worrying trend among football clubs to ban reporters and instead have their own hand-picked writers to peddle propaganda from the proprietor’s point of view,” Stanistreet wrote on 28 July.“I am writing to you because of our concern over a worrying trend among football clubs to ban reporters and instead have their own hand-picked writers to peddle propaganda from the proprietor’s point of view,” Stanistreet wrote on 28 July.
Related: Fans suffer as football clubs show journalists the red cardRelated: Fans suffer as football clubs show journalists the red card
In response, Dyke said both the Premier League and the Football League had confirmed to him that, beyond their rules governing mandatory interviews for rights holder, “it is up to the club to decide its own engagement policy with the media”.In response, Dyke said both the Premier League and the Football League had confirmed to him that, beyond their rules governing mandatory interviews for rights holder, “it is up to the club to decide its own engagement policy with the media”.
Speaking to the Guardian after she received the FA chief’s letter, Stanistreet said: “I am glad Greg Dyke has supported our view that censorship of journalists by football clubs is not acceptable.Speaking to the Guardian after she received the FA chief’s letter, Stanistreet said: “I am glad Greg Dyke has supported our view that censorship of journalists by football clubs is not acceptable.
“Although it is not in his gift to direct these clubs to drop the bans of reporters, I hope his words will have some influence on the chief executives of the Premiership and the Football League to take some action.“Although it is not in his gift to direct these clubs to drop the bans of reporters, I hope his words will have some influence on the chief executives of the Premiership and the Football League to take some action.
“If football is to maintain itself as a grassroots sport, local football correspondents must be free to write reports for their local communities and the fans.” The union added that it would now write to the leagues.“If football is to maintain itself as a grassroots sport, local football correspondents must be free to write reports for their local communities and the fans.” The union added that it would now write to the leagues.
On Wednesday, the BBC said that it would no longer send reporters to Rangers’ home matches or press conferences after the club reportedly told the BBC reporter Chris McLaughlin that he was no longer welcome.On Wednesday, the BBC said that it would no longer send reporters to Rangers’ home matches or press conferences after the club reportedly told the BBC reporter Chris McLaughlin that he was no longer welcome.
Rangers also banned Times and Herald columnist Graham Spiers, who called the restrictions “mystifying”. While Scottish football is beyond Dyke’s jurisdiction, Stanistreet said she hoped the authorities north of the border would take action.Rangers also banned Times and Herald columnist Graham Spiers, who called the restrictions “mystifying”. While Scottish football is beyond Dyke’s jurisdiction, Stanistreet said she hoped the authorities north of the border would take action.
A Rangers spokesman told the Sunday Mail that the decision to ban McLaughlin “wasn’t taken lightly”.A Rangers spokesman told the Sunday Mail that the decision to ban McLaughlin “wasn’t taken lightly”.
According to reports earlier this week, the Daily Mirror has struck a deal with Newcastle United that would see it secure up to £400,000 per year in sponsorship from Sports Direct with advertising at other newspapers expected to be cut.According to reports earlier this week, the Daily Mirror has struck a deal with Newcastle United that would see it secure up to £400,000 per year in sponsorship from Sports Direct with advertising at other newspapers expected to be cut.
The Times reported that, as part of the deal, the paper would pay £250,000 for its branding to be displayed at Newcastle’s youth academy.The Times reported that, as part of the deal, the paper would pay £250,000 for its branding to be displayed at Newcastle’s youth academy.
For weeks, the Mirror has been accused by rival journalists of striking a deal that would lock them out of Newcastle United – an arrangement they said would also harm the tabloid’s editorial integrity.For weeks, the Mirror has been accused by rival journalists of striking a deal that would lock them out of Newcastle United – an arrangement they said would also harm the tabloid’s editorial integrity.
A club executive has previously alluded to the deal, telling fans that its aim was to “control and reinforce the positive messages the club wished to deliver”.A club executive has previously alluded to the deal, telling fans that its aim was to “control and reinforce the positive messages the club wished to deliver”.
The Mirror confirmed that it has an advertising deal with Sport Direct, but denied that it had come to any commercial agreement that would govern the editorial side.The Mirror confirmed that it has an advertising deal with Sport Direct, but denied that it had come to any commercial agreement that would govern the editorial side.
“We do not pay, nor get paid for editorial content or access in this area,” said a spokesman, who refused to discuss specific details of any advertising agreement.“We do not pay, nor get paid for editorial content or access in this area,” said a spokesman, who refused to discuss specific details of any advertising agreement.