Ashley feels fans’ anger after meal

There was no picture of Mike Ashley and Benitez coming out together after the meal in unison. Instead, it played out a bit like a normal Premier League game the duo attend.

Benitez’s name was chanted as he walked out to the waiting people carrier while Ashley was booed and jeered.

If any neutral was secondscreening with a delve on to Twitter during the latest round of Champions League game they must have been flabbergasted at the scenes outside the Rialto pizza joint.

Spurs fans may be nursing sore heads after losing 4-2 to Barca at Wembley (what a game by the way).

However, at least they are there – and as TV viewers watched an enthralling encounter on BT Sport, those same Tottenham supporters can at least say they took part in a fantastic exhibition of top-class action. Those fans are talking about football, great goals and memorable moments this morning – remember that?

Newcastle fans may one day dream again of taking on Europe’s very best.

However, that does not feel like it will be any time soon under Ashley. PICTURE: IAIN BUIST NEWCASTLE United’s pizza summit in Ponteland ended in chaotic scenes as Mike Ashley felt the force of angry fans on his way out of the Rialto restaurant last night.

As reported by the Chronicle yesterday, Ashley made his way to Tyneside for what was scheduled to be face-to-face talks with both Rafa Benitez and the United squad after a summer of silence at St James’ Park.

Ashley had twice failed to speak to Benitez after the Crystal Palace and Leicester games before arranging a meal in the North East.

However, after information was leaked from the club over the weekend, the meal did not go completely to plan for the club.

Players were first informed the meeting would take place at Ristorante Fratelli in Ponteland but the venue was switched at the last minute as Newcastle needed a bigger room and wanted the squad to follow a seating plan.

Benitez – who had his name chanted by fans – left the venue 20 minutes before Ashley.

However, when Ashley left after 11.00, flanked by security guards and in front of a police presence, he had chants of “Where’s the money gone” and “Get out of our club” while one fan shouted: “You’re a disgrace Ashley.”

As Ashley got in his peoplecarrier fans posted on social media they felt he had stuck two fingers up to them as the vehicle pulled away.

A spokesman for Mr Ashley is quoted as saying: “Mike did not give a V sign to fans.

“It is obvious from the accompanying photos he is smiling and enjoying the evening.

“Anybody who saw Match of the Day at the weekend will also be aware Mike is actually very respectful in his reactions to fans.”

Just 24 hours early Kevin Keegan offered a rousing speech at the Sage in Gateshead and when talking about Ashley he said: “I always say he cannot last forever – he will go.

“Be patient and keep doing what you are doing which is supporting your football club because if that club goes down again because there is no support there, it could dive again. It could take longer.”

Newcastle are yet to comment on the meal in Ponteland but Rafa Benitez will face the media today ahead of tomorrow’s game at Manchester United.

It is a far cry from the era in which United faced the likes of Barcelona and Inter Milan – and every fan knows it