Barton loses boot deal

Nike terminate contract with midfielder

Last updated: 30th July 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Barton loses boot deal

Barton: Given the boot by Nike

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Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has had a lucrative sponsorship deal terminated following his spell in prison.

Barton was convicted for assault and affray in May before being released earlier this week after serving 74 days of a six-month sentence.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan pledged to give Barton a second chance over the weekend and club officials confirmed on Tuesday that he would be staying at St James' Park.

However, sportswear giant Nike ended their £40,000 annual boot sponsorship deal with the player back in May and they will not be giving him another opportunity.

A spokesman said: "We have provision in all our sponsorship contracts that take into account any actions by an athlete that bring the brand into disrepute.

"While Joey is a talented footballer, we cannot condone or accept what he did.

"Back in May when he was found guilty, we immediately terminated his contract.

"We certainly have no plans to re-sign him now that he has been released."