Burnley suspend Gudjonsson over critical comments

Burnley suspended Iceland midfielder Joey Gudjonsson for two weeks on Monday pending a full investigation following his critical comments about manager Brian Laws.

An Icelandic website last week quoted Gudjonsson as saying morale at the relegation-threatened Premier League team has hit rock bottom since Laws replaced Owen Coyle as boss in January.

The 29-year-old, whose contract with the Clarets expires at the end of the season, attended an internal disciplinary hearing on Monday.

A statement on Burnley’s website read: “Burnley Football Club has suspended midfield player Joey Gudjonsson for two weeks pending a full investigation following alleged comments made in the media.”

Gudjonsson has been out of favour with Laws since his last appearance, in a 1-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat at Championship club Reading in January.

He has made just 14 appearances in all competitions this season.

Gudjonsson was reported to have told fotbolti.net: “He (Laws) lost the dressing room long ago.

“I think all the players have lost faith in him, the performances say all that has to be said.”

Referencing Burnley’s recent 6-1 home defeat against Manchester City, Gudjonsson was quoted as saying: “This shows that the guys do not believe in what he is doing.”

Despite Gudjonsson’s criticism, the Clarets claimed a 4-1 victory at fellow strugglers Hull on Saturday to end their season-long wait for a victory away from Turf Moor.

Burnley, third bottom of the table, remain deep in relegation trouble however and are four points from safety with four games left.