Club Statement: Hatem Ben Arfa

Newcastle United are hugely disappointed by the article that appeared in The Sun on Wednesday, 1st May, concerning Hatem Ben Arfa, on the basis that their assertion was totally without foundation and completely untrue.

The Club is 100 per cent supportive of Hatem.

Articles such as this are an attempt to destabilise the Club and the team at a crucial period in the season.

Supporters should be aware that the Club and Hatem are taking the strongest possible action against this flagrant false reporting.

The Sun did not have the courtesy to check the facts with the Club or the player before publishing the piece. Had they done so they would have been told there was no truth in it whatsoever.

Hatem said: "I was shocked when my attention was drawn to the article in The Sun newspaper on Wednesday morning.

"It is totally inaccurate, misleading and has caused me great personal upset and frustration."