Ashley in MP’s sights
AN MP is taking on Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley – demanding that he stops “exploiting” the club. Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah has launched a petition demanding billionaire club owners offer support to the team and fans.
And the petition asks the House of Commons to intervene.
Ms Onwurah, a Magpies fan, is asking people to sign the petition so that it can officially be presented to Parliament.
It accuses Mr Ashley, the founder and majority shareholder of retail giant Sports Direct, of failing to provide the investment in players, training facilities and community engagement that Newcastle United needs.
The petition states: “Football is an integral part of Newcastle upon Tyne’s social, economic and cultural wellbeing ... fans of Newcastle United are heavily invested both financially and emotionally in the success of the team.
“The current manager Rafa Benitez needs the support of both fans and the club’s owner ... this support should include investment in players, training facilities and community engagement.” But it claims: “The owner Mike Ashley has not made this support forthcoming.” In the past week, a fresh fans’ movement against Mr Ashley’s regime has gathered pace. “If Rafa Goes We Go” sprung up online amid uncertainty over the manager’s position at St James’ Park, with contract talks seemingly up in the air. Fans backing the movement are pledging to boycott games if the club fails to hold on to what many believe to be its prized asset. Ms Onwurah has been a longstanding critic of Mr Ashley. In 2013, she took the decision to boycott games at St James’ Park after Newcastle United struck a sponsorship deal with payday loan firm Wonga. The boycott lasted four years and only ended after the club cut its ties with the controversial finance company.
Mr Ashley put the club up for sale last year, but a proposed deal with businesswoman Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners fell through.
The current manager Rafa Benitez needs the support of both fans and the club’s owner
Chi Onwurah