“Friend” fighting for United

Sep 20 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE are understood to have a lawyer dubbed the “footballers’ friend” fighting their corner in their compensation battle with Kevin Keegan.

Graham Shear is thought to have been representing United at the arbitration hearing into Keegan’s £8 million claim against the club for constructive dismissal.

All parties involved in the hearing signed confidentiality clauses which have ensured that it has proceeded so far in secrecy.

But sources claim that Shear is the man chosen by United owner Mike Ashley to thwart the Magpies’ former managerial Messiah.

Shear has worked for Newcastle several times before, most notably in defending the likes of Kieron Dyer against tabloid various allegations.

He has also represented Ashley Cole in the “tapping up” row which preceded his move from Arsenal to Chelsea and in the England star’s privacy battles with national newspapers.