The Gazette has applied a self-imposed ban on interviews with the manager and players at Middlesbrough FC after the club placed restrictions on two of its reporters, the paper has claimed.

Sports writer Dominic Shaw was told by the club he was “not welcome” to interview new manager Garry Monk (pictured) following a friendly match on Wednesday, The Gazette has said.

The Trinity Mirror-owned title, which publishes online at Gazette Live, said another reporter was allowed to carry out the interview, but it has taken the decision not to run the piece.