Bolton Wanderers chairman Ken Anderson has banned The Bolton News reporter Marc Iles from matches at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The move was announced at a press conference this afternoon and was sparked by a GIF Marc posted this morning.
The GIF was taken from the Muppets Christmas Carol and contained the words 'God bless us, everyone'.
Alongside the image Marc wrote: "I understand Wanderers' players and coaching staff have been paid their overdue November salary this morning. #bwfc'
The tweet followed a pay dispute at the club which saw players and staff left waiting for their November salaries.
The Bolton News posed a question to owner and chairman Ken Anderson earlier this month over the dispute, under the headline 'Enough is enough'.
Finances at the club were thrust into the spotlight a fortnight ago when all employees were informed they may not receive their pay.
A tale of missed deadlines, union intervention and last-minutes hitches unfolded from there.
Concern over the financial situation at Wanderers prompted a statement from the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Trust.
READ MORE: How the salary problems stacked up
The move to ban Marc from the stadium means he will not be granted access for home fixtures of pre-match press conferences with immediate effect.
Addressing the media this afternoon, manager Phil Parkinson said: “I’ve only just heard, obviously that’s the chairman’s decision.
“I’ll probably be speaking to him later on this afternoon, that’s all I can say on the matter.”
Editor Karl Holbrook said: "It's an unfortunate situation to be in but The Bolton News and Marc Iles stand firm.
"We will press on with our independent coverage no matter what. We answer to the fans, not the chairman."
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