Joey Barton has revealed that his refusal to agree to a bonus proposal at Newcastle United led to his exit from the North East club.
The Queens Park Rangers captain, who joined the club in August, was placed on the Magpies' transfer list following a dispute with the club's hierarchy, which involved a number of other players.
"Newcastle, as a playing squad, were the only club in Premier League history not to sign a bonus sheet," Barton told QPR's podcast Open All R's. "It was unprecedented.
"We refused as a playing staff [to sign] as they tried to railroad the players into signing a bonus sheet. In their opinion we were paid workforce. They thought we were Sports Direct and we should do what the subordinates at Sports Direct do, forgetting they were dealing with 20-odd egos, probably 10 self-sufficient men in a position to make a number of different judgements.
"Myself and the bigger-name players at the time advised the playing staff because we were head of the playing committee not to sign the bonus sheet and that filtered back to boardroom level. It's no coincidence that I was given away."
The 29-year-old believes that club owner Mike Ashley and director Derek Llambias should not be credited for the Magpies' current form in the Premier League.
"It's all about power and control," he added. "They are running the football club and it's going really well for them at the minute but that's more a testament to the players and the fans, and also the manager [Alan Pardew]. The manager has been different class."
Newcastle have recorded just one defeat this season and sit fourth in the league table.
Danielle Joynson
