Source: Daily_Mail
PFA chief slams Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic for going on strike and warns others not to do the same
Walk out: Stoke's Asmir Begovic refused to play[LNB]Bobby Barnes, the deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, has hit out at Asmir Begovic's refusal to play for Stoke in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.[LNB]This season has seen a rash of players failing to turn out for their sides, either because they are refusing to do so or because managers feel they are having their heads turned by other clubs.[LNB]Begovic, who is being chased by Chelsea, was the latest example in Tuesday night's Carling Cup match against Shrewsbury, much to the annoyance of boss Tony Pulis, who branded the player's actions 'disrespectful'.[LNB]Barnes could not agree more with Pulis and and warned other players not to follow the goalkeeper's example.[LNB]'You can understand Tony's anger because he wants to be able to pick all the players that are available to him,' Barnes told Sky Sports News.[LNB]'It's important for a player to realise he has a commitment to the club that's paying his wages. Until such time as a deal is made for you to play for somebody else, any player has the obligation to keep giving of his best with the club he's currently at.[LNB]'It wouldn't be in the player's interest or the club's interest to say, 'I'm not going to play'. The club could fine him. We don't want to reach that situation. We'd hope to reach a situation where both parties are happy moving forward.'[LNB] Good example: Milner continued to play for Villa despite impending move to City[LNB]Barnes cited the example of James Milner, who continued to play for Aston Villa in the run-up to his move to Manchester City, as being more typical.[LNB]'The vast majority of players would do that,' he said. 'I don't know the details of the Begovic case but it obviously isn't ideal when a player refuses to fulfil the terms of his contract. I can't help but think somewhere in the background there's perhaps an agent whispering in the player's ear saying, 'we don't want you to be cup-tied to prevent a potential move'."[LNB] Stoke City set to up bid for West Bromwich's target Marc Wilson after failing with £3m offer Asmir Begovic set for showdown talks with Tony Pulis after going on strike at Stoke in bid to force Chelsea move STOKE FC
