Atsu joins Newcastle teammates in media boycott

Christian Atsu and his Newcastle teammates have boycotted all media engagements due to a dispute over their bonuses for the new season.

The entire squad refused to take part in the mandatory video shoot for TV companies on Monday.

The shoot had been set up to gather ‘walk up’ footage to be used when displaying team lineups as part of pre-match broadcasts.

But Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and Managing Director Lee Charnley have not agreed to an incetivised package with the squd for the 2018-19 season.

The players in return are unwilling to carry out any of their media responsibilities which includes no post-match chats with even their in-house channel nufcTV after pre-season games with Braga and Augsburg.

Journalist and camera operators were at Newcastle’s Benton Training Center on Monday but were left disappointed as the players refused to appear.

The club and players were involved in a similar row last season until Ashley intervened.

Newcastle begin the new season at home on Saturday against Tottenham Hotspurs.

The players have resolved to persist with the media blackout until their bonus concerns are addressed.