Newton fuming at drugs error
6:38am Wednesday 7th May 2008
The Bulls are preparing to sue the TV Times after the magazine wrongly stated Terry Newton had been "banned from playing rugby league for 20 months after failing a drugs test".
The remarkable error, printed on a TV preview page high-lighting Saturday's Millenn-ium Magic clash with Leeds, has left both the club and player fuming and seeking legal advice.
Chairman Peter Hood said: "As far as I can see, it is a straightforward libel in that it is an incorrect statement about our player.
"Terry is devastated as it is the worst possible thing you could say about any professional sport person, regardless of whether you are a rugby league player, cyclist, rower or sprinter.
"To be described in that way, as guilty of such an offence, is completely untrue and factually incorrect.
"Terry has never been accused, let alone convicted, of what they have written and so we are consulting lawyers and I know he is doing likewise."
Great Britain star New-ton revealed: "People in my home town of Wigan have already started asking me if it's true and started talking about cover-ups, saying that is why I've had other bans extended.
"It has really affected and upset me, while it is also very embarrassing."
Bradford intend bringing their own action as they believe the club have also been damaged by the allegation.
Hood said: "The article includes a photograph of Terry wearing a Bradford Bulls shirt with the club logo. That is why we're taking legal advice as well."
The article in this week's edition, under the title "Look out for." mentions that "Bad Boy 2" Newton was handed a two-match suspension recently for striking an opponent.
That is not denied but the first allegation - next to the header "Bad Boy 1" - is completely off the mark and could prove a costly mistake by the glossy publication.
TV Times were unavailable for comment today.
Another Bradford hooker, Ryan Hudson, was banned for two years soon after signing for the Bulls in 2004.
However, he was immediately sacked once found guilty of the drugs offence in March 2005 and never actually played a game for the club.
Hudson returned to Super League action with Huddersfield Giants last season once his suspension had been complete and featured for them in Cardiff on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Hood revealed the Bulls, who host Catalans Dragons in the Carnegie Chall-enge Cup on Sunday, expect to make announcements about a number of key re-signings in the next few days.
James Evans (dead leg) and Ben Jeffries (hamstring) are bidding to be fit for the weekend, while prop Joe Vagana is hoping to get the all-clear to return from his broken arm.
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