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Newcastle MP presents petition protesting against Magpies owner Mike Ashley
A petition demanding Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley stop ‘exploiting’ the club has been heard in the House of Commons.
The petition, delivered by Newcastle Central’s Labour MP Chi Onwurah, calls for Ashley to allow manager Rafael Benitez to invest in the squad properly and the training ground.
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It comes just a few days after supporters launched the ‘If Rafa Goes, We Go’ campaign that warns Ashley they will boycott the club if he does not create the working conditions needed for Benitez to stay on as manager.
Benitez’s deal expires next summer but he has refused to sign an extension until Ashley proves his ambition for the upcoming season. However, in a self-harming stand-off, the sports shop billionaire is refusing to back the manager until he signs the new deal.
Neither man is willing to budge, which means the Magpies are effectively having to sell players to buy.
Mike Merino’s £10m move to LaLiga side Real Sociedad has freed up funds to bring on-loan goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to the club permanently for £4.5m, sanction another loan move for Chelsea winger Kenedy, and sign midfielder Ki Sung Ye on a free.
READ MORE: Benitez: Newcastle must sell to fund new transfers
As well as refusing funds for transfer, Ashley has also refused to give in to Benitez’s demands that he improve facilities for the training ground and reserve-team set up.
That has reignited hostility towards the owner, who has repeatedly incensed the club’s fanbase with his decision making and persistent ability to fall out with popular managers on Tyneside.
That has prompted Onwurah’s political intervention.
Her petition accuses Ashley of failing to provide the investment in players, training facilities and community engagement that Newcastle United needs.
It 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.
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“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.”
Ashley, who very rarely gives interviews, has made no comment on the petition on the stand-off with Benitez.
