Much of the media coverage of the charity match focused on the present situation at Newcastle United, picking up on Alan Shearer's reply of "I know as much as you do," to a pre-match question as to whether he would be installed as Newcastle manager for the forthcoming season beginning in 13 days, with the club being up for sale and with the first team without a manager, being in the care of coach Chris Hughton. Neither the Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley or managing director Derek Llambias were in attendance at the charity match.
