Oxford United have broken their silence over the decision to ban Oxford Mail football writer Jon Murray.

Banned: Jon MurrayMurray, who has been covering United for the past 16 years, was informed by letter from chairman Firoz Kassam last week that he had been banned from the stadium, and from talking to any staff or players.

A statement on the club's website says that the decision was made by Kassam after 'the club was portrayed in a negative light in some areas of the local media'.

Kassam claimed that 'a number of stories have been distorted, exaggerated or simply printed without the facts being checked,' and highlighted the cases of Dave Savage and Simon Cox as examples.

The Oxford Mail's deputy editor, Andy Chatfield, sent a letter by recorded delivery to Kassam last Thursday asking him for an explanation for his decision, but has yet to receive an official reply.

He said: "Our position has not changed. We refute Mr Kassam's claims and will continue to back Jon Murray until he is allowed unfettered access to the club and its players."