Papiss Cisse has been told he has the PFA’s full backing if he decides not to wear a Newcastle United shirt featuring the Wonga logo.
The PFA described the scenario as a “difficult situation” for Newcastle but will stand by Cisse.
United will wear the Wonga shirts for the first time in a pre-season friendly at Motherwell on July 16 when their pre-season schedule gets under way.
However, with Cisse understood to be concerned that wearing the shirt could compromise his Muslim beliefs, he is set to hold discussions with the Magpies when he reports for pre-season training on July 11.
PFA deputy chief Bobby Barnes, the former Northampton Town and West Ham United striker, said: “We’re all aware that clubs need to generate revenue and sometimes have to use a wide range of companies.
“However, if someone feels very, very strongly that it’s not compatible with their beliefs, then some sort of solution should be found.”
There has been a precedent in football when Frederic Kanoute chose not to wear a Seville shirt with the 888.com logo on it.
Back then, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur man was handed a customised individual shirt without the company’s emblazoned across it. And the United No 9 – who scored 13 goals last term – yesterday received full support from Barnes and the PFA.
Barnes added: “He’s been fantastic player at Newcastle.
“And I’d like to think they would want to do as much as they could do for him to continue scoring the goals without compromising his beliefs.”
Cisse remains on international duty with Senegal.
The striker and his country will play a World Cup qualifier against Liberia on Saturday in Monrovia.
Cisse will then be free to begin his holiday after a long season with club and country.
Newcastle have afforded him some extra time off this summer due to his international commitments.
And so he will join up with his team-mates seven days after the first official day of pre-season training at the club’s Benton base.