Newcastle United fans launch protest against owner Mike Ashley before first game

ByLe Buzz

Updated 11/08/2018 at 12:00 GMT+1

Ahead of their first game of the new Premier League season, Newcastle United fans launched a protest against the ownership of Mike Ashley.

Newcastle protest

Image credit: Eurosport

According to reports, around 2,000 Newcastle supporters congregated outside Sports Direct, the retail giant owned by Ashley, in Northumberland Street.

Magpies supporters have been dissatisfied with Ashley's stewardship of the club for years - and during the summer, manager Rafa Benitez said fans were right to be concerned with the direction the club was heading in.

The club made a net profit of around £20m in the transfer market this summer and on Friday, Ashley's Sports Direct purchased House of Fraser for £90m.

Premier League