Mike Ashley met with manager Rafa Benitez and the rest of the Newcastle squad at a restaurant on Monday evening with the relationship between owner and playing staff said to be somewhat strained.
Sports Direct mogul Ashley has even been accused of gesturing a 'v-sign' at angry Newcastle supporters when leaving the restaurant, which has since been denied in a statement posted on The Toon's website.
Fans are angry with Ashley as he failed to back Benitez in the window, promising the Spaniard that he could spend any money he generated. But even then, Newcastle made around £20million profit in incomings and outgoings.
Details of the meal have now reportedly emerged with the Guardian claiming Ashley has been enlightened to the real danger that Newcastle could be relegated - despite finishing tenth in the Premier League last season.
Mike Ashley hosted Rafa, the staff and players to an Italian dinner on Wednesday night at the Rialto restaurant in Ponteland.
It was an attempt by Ashley to get on better terms with the playing staff at the club.
When he was leaving the restaurant after what was reported to have been a positive get together – he was met with banners of Ashley Out by fans as the Magpie Group continue their protests against the owner.
As he was leaving the restaurant, it looked like Ashley had given the V sign to the supporters and that was given lots of exposure in the media yesterday.
Ashley has issued a statement on this on the Newcastle website:
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley would like to put the record straight in relation to press reporting of events following a dinner that he attended on Wednesday evening with Rafa Benítez and the players.
Mike Ashley said:
“I did not make a ‘V-sign’ to anyone. To suggest otherwise is both inaccurate and irresponsible.”
“The matter is in the hands of our legal team and they will be contacting relevant newspaper editors in due course.”
“It is hugely disappointing, given the reason why we set up the meeting, that certain elements of the media are trying to undermine the club by creating a story out of nothing.”