THE Adver's only sport reporter has been indefinitely banned from asking questions at Swindon Town’s press conferences.
We were told the decision following Town’s 2-1 defeat to Oxford United on Tuesday.
Adver Sport will still be allowed to attend games and press conferences, but it will not be able to speak to anyone at the club directly.
The ban, which the club says only applies to our sport reporter, means we will be unable to bring readers the unique coverage you deserve by asking those key questions that you want answered – home or away.
The Adver understands the reason for this to be because manager John Sheridan took offence at questions reporter Jonny Leighfield asked him regarding a spat between players during half-time of Town’s game away at Accrington Stanley last Saturday.
After one question was asked by BBC Radio Wiltshire on the subject matter, Jonny did not feel the answer sufficiently dealt with the issue. Therefore, he pressed the Town boss.
Sheridan made it clear that he felt there was nothing to it, but then went on to personally attack Jonny’s motives, calling him or his question “pathetic” – something we feel was completely uncalled for.
You can listen to the full incident by clicking on the play button below.
Following the game on Tuesday, Jonny was allowed to ask questions to Tommy Wright and Jack Payne before being informed of the decision – one that was made by chairman, Lee Power and chief executive, Steve Anderson.
He was told the story we published containing the audio of the incident annoyed those at boardroom level, and that was the tipping point behind the decision.
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