Mike Ashley has released a statement criticising the Premier League for their unacceptable decision to charge fans £14.95 to watch games on a ‘pay-per-view’ service.
He calls for PL chiefs to “immediately act” and review the current arrangements, suggesting they should cut the price to a £4.95 between now and Christmas.
Here’s Mike Ashley’s statement in full, released on the club’s official website in the last hour:
“I am calling on the Premier League to immediately act and review its current pay-per-view arrangements for live matches in the UK.
“Charging £14.95 for single televised matches in the current climate it 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?
“The Government should waive VAT on the above pay-per-view matches so that as many of those who are unable to attend matches in person can at least watch their team.
“The profit from the above reduced-price pay-per-view option, I would suggest that 50% would be retained by Premier League and 50% would go to the football pyramid below.
“As a club, Newcastle United did vote in favour of the pay-per-view proposal, but to be clear, this was because there were no realistic or any viable alternatives put forward to enable supporters to watch matches.”
He may make a good point – and many will agree that £4.95 is much more realistic and affordable – however his message seems just a tad hypocritical.
“Charging £14.95 in the current climate it is not acceptable to any football fan” – but neither is taking direct debits for games us Newcastle fans can’t attend, not to mention that fact he’s yet to refund us for the games we’ve already missed, Mike!
Also, if he wants to talk about ‘greed’, what about the 13 years of it we’ve seen over his ugly tenure on Tyneside?
His feud against the Premier League continues, but perhaps he should start practicing what he now preaches.
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If you do not already have Sky or BT then yeah, a fiver is a fair charge for a one off game. But if you are already paying a Sky/BT subscription then you should not be charged more to watch a game – or any event for that matter!!.
These companies are turning huge profit & paying presenters big wages – there is clearly enough money going into the machine.
Sharpy17(Quote)
we already pay sky subscription we should’nt have to pay anything extra.
David Smith(Quote)
Ashley`s first instinct is always about money and with regards to NUFC usually wrong.
He voted for the £14.99. Leicester didn`t it was a 19-1 vote.
Now he`s seen that the public are angry he`s done a 180 and is now our hero.
Instead of spinning us he`s image washing himself .. long way to go mate … but good luck with that …
gf(Quote)