NEWCASTLE (DF) -- Newcastle United's Irish duo Leon Best and Stephen Ireland have apologized to teammates after being pictured at a Newcastle nightclub last Friday, the night before their side were lumped 4-0 at the Brittania Stadium by a rampant Stoke City.
The pair had been ruled out of last Saturday's trip to Stoke due to injury and Magpies boss Alan Pardew insisted they both stay at home to continue their recovery. After unflattering pictures of Best and Ireland appeared in several local tabloids, the two were forced to issue an apology to teammates and supporters.
A statement released through the club read: "Because we had both been ruled out of the game at Stoke and didn't travel with the team, we thought that going out to a bar was appropriate ahead of Saturday's game and we fully regret being caught."
"We were asked to have our photograph taken and we removed our shirts because we are good friends, but of course the resulting coverage in the press suggests a far different night out. Whilst our actions were not wrong, we feel inclined to mention neither of us had consumed much alcohol and we were out for only a very short period of time, several hours at the most."
Local journalist and Newcastle United supporter Andy McLean said he believed the statement to be an empty gesture from both players. "I hope the club investigates this further and punishes these kids for their behavior. I'm sure by now they've both seen the first Goal film. They should know this sort of clubbing doesn't fly in Newcastle."
Speaking to the Evening Chronicle, United manager Pardew confirmed discipline would be forthcoming and that he was waiting for everyone to return to the club before taking action.
"All I want to say on that is that as Leon Best has travelled with Ireland, we've not faced each other yet," said Pardew. "There will be discipline involved, for sure, they broke club rules, but I want to see them together in my office before I say anything more."
"Dropping them won't be a difficult decision for me, should it come to that," he continued. "They're both short on form and I think their attitude and level of talent would fit in well with the reserves."
