Magpies threaten FA with Owen ban

[Steven P. Administrators]

Newcastle have threatened legal action against the Football Association to stop England using Michael Owen in the June Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia.

The Magpies want compensation from the FA for the knee injury the 27-year-old striker suffered at the 2006 World Cup.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd told the Sunday Mirror: "We could get an injunction to stop him playing.

"We would do that very reluctantly. We will be seeking a reimbursement of his medical costs."

Shepherd added: "We have not been paid a penny by the FA for Owen's recuperation bill. They cut him loose as soon as he was put on the plane home, despite it costing us well over ?150,000.

"They even told us to get the money off FIFA when it was clearly the FA's responsibility as he was in their care and control."

Owen ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament against Sweden in the third match of the group stages with England.

The striker has not played since, although a recent outing for the reserves suggests he could play for Newcastle before the end of the season - theoretically making him available for England's friendly with Brazil on 1 June and the Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia on 6 June.

But Shepherd wants to prevent his international recall, adding: "The FA are forcing us to go to court and our lawyers believe there is a very good chance we can win this case."

An FA spokesman said: "It is inappropriate to comment on this matter at this time."

Source: BBC Sport

[Rappy Veteran]

That's mad...I have never liked Freddy Shepherd...

[spa2k]

Lets face it, Newcastle wont have been paying his wages for this season anyway, their insurance will. I think that every international player should be playing for the shirt and should WANT to play for their country regardless of their clubs feelings. I know that if i was a pro player I would give anything to be able to represent my country no matter what the chairman of my club said. You can move clubs, you cannot change your country.

[Shibby]

Can't stand Freddy Shepherd myself. I think he is the main reason why Newcastle will continue to struggle and fall short of there ambitions.

[Guest]

As a Newcastle United fan, I wish Shepherd would go.

[Rappy Veteran]

As a Newcastle United fan, I wish Shepherd would go.

He's spent alot of money in his tenure and it seems that nothing good has come from it...

[Olemus]

^^ Second that also a newcastle fan and not happy with shepherd, i hope he reads this.....then leaves. :D

[theyarecomingforyou]

I have to side with Freddy Shepherd. Owen goes to play for his country, he then gets injured and cannot play for a year - not only can they not play him but they (or their insurance) also have to pay for his medical bills? I'd want to project a player - these players cost millions and are a corporate asset... you can't have them getting called up and written off without provisions or compensation. It is not in a teams interest to release players for international play if it damages the team, their performance and/or their shares.

[Guest]

He's spent alot of money in his tenure and it seems that nothing good has come from it...

Don't get me wrong, the money is there, albeit fans money.

He just makes ridiculous decisions and never sticks by a manager. Look at Sir Bobby Robson

[Skiver Veteran]

I have to stand by this decision, as much as i think owen is needed in the englands side... i think to miss an entire season cant be compensated... we spent alot of money on him and he has played very few games due to injury... we risked rooney in the world cup and he wasnt match fit... why do the same with owen... he's been out for almost a year now

[Rappy Veteran]

Don't get me wrong, the money is there, albeit fans money.

He just makes ridiculous decisions and never sticks by a manager. Look at Sir Bobby Robson

Is Luque still at Newcastle?...he seemed a waste...was great in Spain just not so great in England :(

[Guest]

Is Luque still at Newcastle?...he seemed a waste...was great in Spain just not so great in England :(

He is, yes. Unfortunately for him.

He has never seemed to hit it off really. Like you said, he was awesome at Deportivo.

I wish we'd just sell the poor lad before it's too late for him. We have a habit of ruining players reputations, Kluivert anyone?

[Rappy Veteran]

He is, yes. Unfortunately for him.

He has never seemed to hit it off really. Like you said, he was awesome at Deportivo.

I wish we'd just sell the poor lad before it's too late for him. We have a habit of ruining players reputations, Kluivert anyone?

Yeah he went to Valencia after Newcastle and never found a full game then went back to Holland where PSV hardly play him either shame really in his day Kluivert was amazing...

[Martyn]

Kluivert did his cruciate ligament in one of his first games for Valencia, so he was out for effectively the whole season.

He was boss for Barca!

[rajputwarrior]

i got to agree with him, i think the FA should pay the bill

[Rappy Veteran]

Kluivert did his cruciate ligament in one of his first games for Valencia, so he was out for effectively the whole season.

He was boss for Barca!

Yeah at Barca he was amazing...weird how some players just dip in form but I should imagine the ligament injury was a factor towards that decline...