Are you really investing in football or are you just trying to make money?
CORBYN RENEWS HIS ATTACK ON ASHLEY
JEREMY Corbyn has insisted Mike Ashley is “letting down” Newcastle United fans as he continues his attack on billionaire football bosses.
The Labour leader met NUFC fan groups last weekend to discuss proposed regulations for big clubs, and took aim at the NUFC owner in particular.
The Labour policy would see Premier League clubs made to invest 5% of their TV income in the grassroots game and give two elected supporters a place on their board of directors.
But the attack sparked anger from the NUFC board, who issued a statement slamming Mr Corbyn for his “damaging and misinformed opinions”.
In an interview with news and sport website Joe.co.uk, the MP has now said Mr Ashley was one example of a football owner who, he believed, should be made to invest more in his club as a community asset.
In a video published on Sunday, he said: “Those that invest in football, they should understand that football is about people’s lives, community, hope and dreams.”
He added: “I say to those investing in football, think about it - are you really investing in football or are you just trying to make money out of it?”
Asked why he’s highlighted Mr Ashley in particular, the Labour leader said: “He owns the club, has not obviously invested much money in the club. The club has an amazingly passionate group of supporters, who feel that their owner is holding the club back and letting them down.”
He added: “I don’t believe he’s invested properly in the club, and I am very critical of Sports Direct as an employer and the way they employ people, often in zero-hours contracts and some very bad working conditions, and the way they strongly opposed their employees joining trade unions.
“So I think he is an example, and I’ve made him an example in what I’ve said.”
Describing Labour’s policy for Premier League football, he said: “I was able to talk about our policies on football, which are about clubs having to have two supporters elected to the board of directors of the club, about money that will be paid by the Premiership clubs into a football fund to support grassroots football, because grassroots football is really up against it, often dying in many cases with pitches being sold off.
“If we are to have a vibrant football community in Britain then some of the riches of the Premiership clubs must shared further down the line.”
Newcastle United has taken exception to Mr Corbyn’s comments, last week issuing a statement saying it was “disappointed” by the attack.
A club spokesperson said: “In overlooking existing governance and regulation, as well as the hugely positive impact Newcastle United and other professional clubs have in their communities, Mr Corbyn has demonstrated a surprising lack of knowledge about our national game.
“We feel, therefore, it is important to address his damaging and misinformed opinions in the interests of the club and its supporters.
“Financially, other than sums provided to the club on a short-term, interest-free basis and repaid to him as intended, we would like to make it clear that Mike Ashley has not taken a