• Premier League

Owen hits back over Newcastle criticism

ESPN staff
March 23, 2013
Michael Owen has been criticised by Newcastle fans disappointed by his time at the club © PA Photos
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Michael Owen claims that Newcastle lied about offering him a new deal in 2009, as he hit back at Toon fans who criticised his leaving of the club after they were relegated.

Owen, 33, announced on Monday that he will retire from football at the end of the season. After making his name with Liverpool before struggling to adjust to life at Real Madrid, the former England international had an injury-hit four year spell at St James's Park.

However, the £17 million signing left to join United on a free transfer after the Magpies were relegated - something that still rankles with many supporters - and, after appearing on the BBC's Football Focus talking about his time at the Toon, the striker took to Twitter to defend himself.

"Newcastle fans, following my Football Focus interview, plenty of you tweeting me saying you don't blame me for getting injured but for leaving when we got relegated,'' Owen tweeted.

"Despite the club saying they did, they didn't ever offer me a new contract despite them putting it in the press that they did. How could they when they had just been relegated? It would have been financial suicide.

"I've seen it a million times, a club will blatantly lie to their fans to take the moral high ground leaving the player with no leg to stand on. I've taken the stick for years which is fine but you really don't know half of it. All will be revealed one day.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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