Manchester United in Row Over Photo Ban at Solskjaer Testimonial

A row over press freedom has broken out after photographers and cameramen at a Manchester United football testimonial for veteran striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were barred from taking pictures of the player's children - despite 70,000 fans clicking away.

Photographers who attended the testimonial at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium on Saturday were forced to sign a privacy contract once they were inside the ground.

The contract, a copy of which has been seen by MediaGuardian.co.uk, prevented them from taking or publishing photographs of Solskjaer's children. They were told they would be ejected from the stadium if they refused to sign the contract.

Former Norwegian international Solskjaer then paraded two of his children around the pitch before an estimated crowed of 70,000 fans, some of whom took pictures and video. Digital TV channel Manchester United TV also filmed the event.

"In the interests of the privacy and the safety of Ole's children, the committee has decided that no photographs or other images of or including them should be published," the contract stated.

"Therefore, as a condition of entry to Old Trafford Stadium today, you must sign and agree to be bound by the undertaking at the bottom of this letter.

"If you do not sign the undertaking or feel unable to give such an undertaking, then the committee shall refuse to allow access to the stadium."

Several newspapers have protested over the contracts to the event organizers, the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer testimonial committee.

The Newspaper Publishers Association has criticized the contract and asked its members if they were forced to sign the contracts. The NPA is concerned about the precedent the contract might establish.

According to the NPA, the contract was imposed without prior warning on newspapers, which have existing codes on child photography - photographers had to sign the contract under duress, the contract asked for privacy for an event seen by the general public and the club was willing to support restrictive measures.

MediaGuardian.co.uk contacted the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer testimonial committee chairman, lawyer Patrick Foster, for comment. He had not responded by the time of publication.

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