A regional daily editor has challenged a footballer allegedly involved in the theft of a taxi to set the record straight in his newspaper.
Keith Harrison, who edits Wolverhampton daily the Express & Star, has urged Jonny Evans to give his version of events to the paper after the West Bromwich Albion captain criticised what he called “sensationalised” press reports of the incident.
Mr Evans, pictured, was one of four Albion players who apologised after breaking curfew while at a warm weather training camp in Spain last month.
It was also alleged that he – along with fellow players Boaz Myhill, Jake Livermore, and Gareth Barry – left a taxi driver at a McDonald’s restaurant in the early hours of the morning and drove his car back to their hotel.
The Spanish authorities did not pursue the case, and Evans told BBC Radio WM: “Sometimes things can happen that are taken out of your control. A lot of facts are left out to make the story seem all the more sensational.”
However, Keith has urged Mr Evans in a post on Twitter to “be a man about it” and give his version of events – offering him space to do so in the Express & Star.
Dear oh dear. ?
"A lot of facts are left out to make the story seem all the more sensational."
Poor old Jonny Evans is the victim here, ladies and gentlemen. ?
Happy to provide him with space @ExpressandStar to 'be a man about it' and say exactly what went on.#WBA https://t.co/ANv2mvkihE
— Keith Harrison (@kharrison_star) March 6, 2018
A follow-up editorial in yesterday’s E&S states: “As if things could not get anymore ridiculous, Evans goes on to reassure Albion fans that the players are committed to giving everything to save the club from relegation.
“This is the same Albion side that has slumped to five league defeats on the spin and currently sits eight points from safety at the bottom of the Premier League.
“How do any of Evans’ comments tally up with breaking a club curfew on a trip that was supposedly geared towards building team morale? Let us not forget that the incident took place ahead of a crucial game, which inevitably, Albion lost.
“It is precisely this type of pampered attitude which leaves thousands of genuine football fans shaking their heads in utter despair. It has been reported that Evans could be in line to leave the club on a cut price deal should the Baggies be relegated.”
It adds: “If Evans believes that facts have been left out of the story, then he is more than welcome to offer up a full version. The Express & Star would be happy to report his take on the incident.
“Surely he is man enough to spill the beans. The fans deserve to know.”
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I’m not sure I like the tone of the baiting here.
‘…be a man about it…’, ‘Surely he is man enough to spill the beans.’
I think that tells me a lot more about the editor than the footballer.
Nowhere in this report do I see any rudeness on behalf of the player other than calling the Express & Star’s report ‘sensationalised’.
No reason to overstep the mark.
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@Saddened, I thought that but I think it’s in response to the full quote from Evans where he says: “There’s been a lot written about us. But, with everything, a lot of things get sensationalised.
“Sometimes things can happen that are taken out of your control. A lot of facts are left out to make the story seem all the more sensational.
“But we’ve all been around for a long time. Things have happened to all of us in our career in a number of moments when we know that, in the position we’re in, all eyes are on us.
“You just have to deal with that and be a man about it.”
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Thanks for that clarification, Desker.
But still, is that the way for an editor to respond? From the quote you supply above, he’s not having a go when he says ‘you just have to be a man about it’.
How will that go down with Baggies fans?
I’m the Wolves fans will jump up and down with glee, but as neither, I’m not in agreement.
In fact, it reminds me of playground mentality jibes.
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Yeah, I agree it’s a strange tone to take but it’s a bit less random than it first seemed. Still not a good angle to take on the paper’s part.
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I like the tone of the baiting.
Saying the story was sensationalised and then to offer nothing to correct the ‘hype’ is just the kind of fall back excuse which should be challenged robustly.
Why should anyone think he deserves a free ride and be taken for his word, the word of the man who broke the trust of the curfew…
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To be fair, many footballers, because of the privileged position they enjoy, believe they can get away with things that lesser mortals cannot, then get very upset about it when they find out they can’t, although I’m sure that’s not the case here.
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