ASHLEY: MAKE PPV A FIVER

NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley last night became the first Premier League club chief to publicly criticise pay-perview matches, slamming the ‘unacceptable’ asking price. Clubs are attending a shareholders meeting today in which they will discuss cutting the cost of the controversial PPV arrangement from £14.95 to £9.95 following a furious backlash from fans. But Ashley says £4.95 would be a more acceptable price, writing in a statement: ‘Charging £14.95 for single televised matches in the current climate is not acceptable to any football fan. ‘Supporters have overwhelmingly rejected this offer and the Premier League must now act. Why not make it much more accessible at £4.95 per match until Christmas?’ Supporters were outraged when Sportsmail first revealed how much it would cost to follow their sides, with only Leicester voting against it at the time. Ashley says he voted for it as ‘there were no realistic alternatives put forward’. Both Sky Sports and BT Sport are unhappy, too, feeling they are getting most of the blame when they are not profiting. They claim their production costs are covered and that the rest goes to the clubs. One industry insider yesterday described viewing figures as ‘shocking’, but the £14.95 price will likely remain until the next international break. In anticipation of today’s meeting, the Football Supporters’ Association have informed the Premier League and broadcasters of the strength of fans’ feelings. FSA chairman Malcolm Clarke said: ‘By donating hundreds of thousands to local food banks instead of paying the £15 fee for PPV over the past week, supporters have shown just how unpopular it is in its current format and pricing. ‘It needs urgent reconsideration from the Premier League, clubs and broadcasters.’