PFA Slam Ashley Over Twitter Ban!

Last updated : 06 August 2011 By Footy Mad - Editor

JB

Joey Barton has brought the matter into the spotlight this week after Newcastle offered him on a free transfer in the wake of his continue criticism of the club on the social networking site.

However, Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor believes it is vital for the football world to get its "head around" Twitter.

Gordon Taylor: "Every person has got the right to speak in public so long as it is their own point of view and it does not reflect badly on their employers, the game or other personalities in the game.

"If it is defamatory then it can then be used against that person in a legal manner for compensation and so this is an issue that we really need to get our heads around and try to get a criteria that is comfortable for everyone.

"It is not necessarily good enough to say: 'no, we don't have it at all'.

"I think in the short term a number of clubs have done that rather than risk perhaps one of their young players or even a senior player - or an aggrieved player - coming out with stuff that is not conducive to team spirit or good relationships at the club.

"It is not an easy thing but used in the right way it can help with relationships between players and supporters.

"Used in the wrong way it can also cause problems at the clubs, to team-mates and other professionals in the game.

"As with most things, it is about everything on its merit and it is a question of proportionality."