Newton seeks damages after apology
6:30am Friday 16th May 2008
The Bulls have forced an apology and published retraction from the TV Times after they wrongly labelled Terry Newton a drugs cheat - but the fuming hooker is still seeking damages.
In a photo caption, publicising the Millennium Magic weekend, the national weekly magazine said the Great Britain ace had been banned for 20 months after failing a drugs test.
It prompted a furious response from both Newton and Bradford, who each threatened to sue the publication for libel.
The TV Times originally declined to comment but have now admitted the mistake and printed an apology in the current edition.
It reads: "In our 3-9 May issue we published a Look out for piece about Bradford Bulls rugby league player Terry Newton.
"This contained an inaccurate statement to the effect that he had been banned from playing for 20 months having failed a drugs test.
"We wish to make it clear that this was published in error and is completely untrue. We apologise to Mr Newton and to the Bradford Bulls rugby league club."
The Super League giants - who actively support National Tackling Drugs Week, with teen star Sam Burgess out lending his weight to the cause today - accepted the apology and retraction.
However, they are giving an "upset" Newton, 29, their full backing in his bid to win financial compensation.
A club statement read: "Bradford Bulls operates a zero tolerance policy towards the use of banned substances.
"With players including Mr Newton as effective role models, we work hard in the community and with the police to promote healthy, law-abiding lifestyles among young people generally and school children in particular.
"By publishing a full colour photograph of the player in his Bulls playing shirt alongside the wrong and misleading caption, the Bulls' hard-earned reputation for anti-drugs work in the community was potentially damaged.
"Bradford Bulls have accepted the apology and retraction in satisfaction of the club's complaint but continue to support the player in his separate claim for libel."
- The date and time of the Bulls' Carnegie Challenge Cup home quarter-final against Hull FC has finally been set for Sunday, June 1, kicking off at 3.15pm, with the tie televised live on BBC2.
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