Newcastle United supporters have discussed a home match boycott as tensions are further inflamed by the actions of Mike Ashley, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The newspaper claim the controversial Sports Direct tycoon took £10million out of the club over the summer as he reneged on a transfer window promise to manager Rafael Benitez.
The Telegraph report fuming fans have discussed whether to boycott a match at St James’ Park before Christmas in protest at the unpopular Ashley.
OPINION
With Ashley’s credibility and popularity at rock-bottom, it did not seem possible for them to sink any further. But the owner has managed to pull off that trick, assuming the Telegraph’s report is correct (and, critically, United have not denied it). Ashley has decided to take out the £10million after pledging in an official statement back in May – as he had done 12 months earlier – that Benitez would get “every penny” the club generated in the Premier League. It is Ashley’s right, of course. He has given the club £144million in interest-free loans. But the problem he has is that fans cannot believe a word he says. Is the billionaire so hard up he desperately needed that £10million to make ends meet? Is his financial situation so parlous that he must deprive Newcastle of funds that could have proved integral to retaining their Premier League status? The answer can only be ‘no’ on both counts. Who can blame the Toon faithful for staging a boycott? Where else can they turn?