Burge suspended for 14 days
Ryan Burge suspended: a club statement on the official Port Vale website says that midfielder Ryan Burge has been suspended for 14 days pending an internal enquiry.
Burge was heavily criticised by manager Micky Adams for being late for a team meal ahead of Vale’s Tuesday evening game with Bristol Rover. The midfielder got into even more hot water with a string of tweets apparently contradicting the club’s view of events.
Burge’s tweets contravened the club’s social media guidelines so Burge was dropped from the side to face Rovers and manager Micky Adams confirmed that the player would face disciplinary action.
However, Adams told the Sentinel that Burge would be in the Vale squad to travel to York but this will apparently no longer be the case.
Friday’s statement reveals that Burge failed to issue an apology on Thursday despite being asked to do so by the club and that is the likely reason why the club have reversed their decision to include him in the matchday squad.
In relation to his use of social media, we asked Ryan to apologise for his statements on Twitter on Thursday and Ryan declined to do this…
Chairman Paul Wildes told the official Port Vale website: “This is an unfortunate situation and one which could have been avoided.
“In relation to his use of social media, we asked Ryan to apologise for his statements on Twitter on Thursday and Ryan declined to do this.
“Although we note that Ryan has now issued something on his Twitter feed, this has come too late.
“Ryan has signed our social media guidelines, along with all players, and we simply cannot condone behaviour which brings the club’s name into disrepute.
“This whole incident could have been avoided and the club was keen to work with Ryan on a resolution, but he decided not to take this option.
“This has been a highly disruptive incident for everyone at the club at a critical time of the season. I ask that all supporters back the team tomorrow as we aim to return to winning ways.”