A Premier League club have banned a Sky TV reporter after they were caught sneaking their girlfriend into a dressing room on matchday, it has been claimed.
The unnamed reporter showed his partner around the restricted areas of the stadium a few hours before kick-off, the Sun states, in an unscheduled tour, not known to the club, and not allowed as per the club's rules.
Stewards allegedly found him and the girl, who were then escorted off the premises. Broadcast media, such as Sky and BT Sport, are allowed into certain specific zones at Premier League grounds, including the mixed zone, but cannot enter the changing room unless given permission by the club.
It is understood the reporter may not be allowed back into the undisclosed top-flight stadium for a sustained amount of time.
Of course, it is not the first time that a club will have banned a reporter. Famously, Sir Alex Ferguson temporarily banned Sky Sports back in 2011 after he didn't answer a question directed at Ryan Giggs. Erik ten Hag did similar earlier this campaign as he refused to answer three questions from a Sky reporter within 15 minutes, having been left furious with the reporter's conduct previously.
This Premier League season has arguably been the most dramatic in history, with every team battling for either the title, a European spot or to stay in the division. Arsenal and Manchester City are currently fighting for top spot at the minute, with the Gunners eight points ahead at the minute.
However, Pep Guardiola's side have a game in hand and will fancy their chances to overtake the Gunners and win the league for the fifth time in six years. Meanwhile, Manchester United, Tottenham, Newcastle, Liverpool and Brighton are in the race for a Champions League spot.
Man Utd looked all but set to finish in the top four, but recent results have seen them drop off, while the chasing pack have picked up as five teams battle for two places. Chelsea, Fulham, Aston Villa and Brentford are in the race for a European spot but are unlikely to get better than the Europa League.
But it is the relegation battle that fans are especially excited over. There is just four points that separate Crystal Palace in 12th and rock bottom Southampton. It means a mammoth nine teams are in contention to go down - the most at this stage of a Premier League season ever.
Southampton, Bournemouth and West Ham currently occupy the three relegation places, but Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Wolves, Everton and Palace are not out of the woods and could go down.
