A ban on press photographers by Southampton Football Club, which was thought to have been fully lifted, is still affecting its local paper, it has emerged.
The club refused to accredit any photographers for home games last month sparking widespread criticism from regional and national newspapers.
The ban was quietly lifted for all other media earlier this month, but it has now emerged photographers from the local title, the Southern Daily Echo, are still not allowed in.
Echo staff did not find out until Friday night its photographer would not be allowed in for the home game between Southampton and Colchester the following day.
Sports editor Simon Carter said: “We weren’t allowed in at the weekend and no reason has been given.
“We have asked for an explanation but not had any whatsoever. Apparently the ban was relaxed for everybody else.”
Staff will now have to decide how to cover each game but have reiterated they have no intention of buying the club’s official photos.
Editor Ian Murray criticised the move in an editorial last month and called for an urgent meeting with the club over it.
He said the integrity and impartiality of the Echo would be compromised if it had to rely on photos selectively released by the club, but the paper would do what it could to provide its readers with comprehensive match coverage.
Last year, the newspaper was hit with a blanket ban on covering the football club, which lasted for around three months.
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When the ban came in the press stuck together and refused to play ball. Now the club is victimising one publisher the rest of the press should support the Echo and provide free images.
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No comment from Southampton FC on this one? I find that hard to believe. Please remember balance in your stories htfp!
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What is it with football clubs and their sensitivity with the local press? The local papers should decide to stop giving them any coverage at all, letting their readers know why. The club would soon change their mind once ticket sale dropped. What a farse. Just get on with running a football club and let the papers get on with doing what they do. Rant over.
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Farce. Not farse
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And I think you meant ‘ticket sales’ not ‘ticket sale’. Then again, it is Southampton….
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