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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Gareth Bicknell

Michael Owen and Alan Shearer to again be kept apart for Boxing Day Amazon coverage

Michael Owen and Alan Shearer will again be kept apart for Amazon Prime Video's coverage of next week's Boxing Day Premier League matches.

Owen and Shearer were among a host of top pundits recruited by Amazon as the internet giant prepared to broadcast 20 Premier League matches this month.

But the former Newcastle and England team-mates were kept apart for matches earlier this month after a feud between the two was reignited earlier this year.

They fell out after Shearer accused Owen of being reluctant to play in the finale to the 2008-09 season when Toon were relegated from the Premier League.

Former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Owen hit back in his autobiography this year, insisting he was being blamed for the managerial shortcomings of then Newcastle caretaker boss Shearer.

They were teammates at Newcastle but fell out after Shearer accused Owen of being reluctant to play (Getty Images)

The row then moved to Twitter , where a video was posted of Owen explaining to BT Sport how much he hated his time at Newcastle and wanted to retire.

That drew Shearer's ire, with the former striker tweeting: "Yes Michael, we thought that also, whilst on £120k a week....."

Owen responded, saying: "Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle and you make out mate. I distinctly remember you being inches away from signing for Liverpool after Sir Bobby Robson put you on the bench. You tried everything to get out."

Shearer will reportedly be on pundit duty for Manchester United vs Newcastle - but Owen, who played for both clubs, will be at a different match (Corbis via Getty Images)

Shearer will be on duty for Newcastle's visit to Manchester United on Boxing Day, according to Chronicle Live - while Owen will be at Molineux to watch Wolves against Manchester City.

It could be viewed as something of a snub for Owen, who played for both Manchester United and Newcastle.

An Amazon source told The Chronicle the decision was simply "a natural spreading out of the talent given the number of fixtures" as opposed to an attempt to avoid conflict between the pair.

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