NIKE GIVE BARTON THE BOOT

Nike have terminated their football boot sponsorship deal with Newcastle United’s Joey Barton, following his recent release from prison.

Newcastle have announced that 25 year old midfielder Joey Barton is free to kick-start his career at St James’ Park. Meanwhile his football boot sponsorship deal with Nike has been terminated, the football boot brand not taking the same soft option as Newcastle.

Joey Barton, with one England International cap, left Manchester’s Strangeways Prison on Monday, he had been jailed for assault and affray after an incident in Liverpool city centre in December.

He was also given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting an assault on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo during a training session last year.

Newcastle statement from the club website:

Newcastle United officials can confirm they have met with Joey Barton, following which it has been agreed by everyone involved that Joey will remain with the club.

Nike statement from Leo Sandino-Taylor:

We have provisions in all our sponsorship contracts to take into account any actions by athletes that bring the brand into disrepute. Whilst Joey Barton is a talented footballer, we cannot condone or accept what he did and his contract with us has been terminated.