Jamie Carragher hits out at Mike Ashley after his shock statement

Jamie Carragher hits out at Mike Ashley after his shock statement which was issued on Monday night ahead of the PPV decision on Tuesday.

The former Liverpool and England player has laid into the Newcastle United owner’s intervention in the Premier League pay-per-view as “laughable”.

Mike Ashley released a surprising statement on Monday evening, urging for the end of the £14.95 pay-per-view game arrangement which was agreed earlier this month for matches not chosen by broadcasters.

In the shock statement issued by Mike Ashley, he suggested the price point should be dropped down to £4.95 until at least Christmas, no doubt so he can make sure financially stricken families can still have enough monthly to shop at his Sports Direct store as the festive period draws closer.

Remember this is a guy who battled with the government about closing his stores during the coronavirus outbreak, before making a u-turn, and was the first Premier League club to furlough their staff.

While Carragher couldn’t disagree with his criticism of the price, he accused the owner of hypocrisy at a time when he was taking money from Newcastle fans.

“It’s laughable that it’s Mike Ashley who has come out and said that,” he said.

“I think he’s still taking season ticket money off Newcastle fans. I can’t disagree with what he’s said but for Mike Ashley to come out and say it shows how messed up it is in some ways.

“(The pay-per-view) has gone down like a lead balloon.”

A statement from Mike Ashley | Pay-Per-View#NUFC

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 26, 2020

MIKE ASHLEY STATEMENT:

Newcastle United owner, Mike Ashley, has issued the following statement in relation to the Premier League’s current pay-per-view arrangements:

“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.”

Fans reacted after seeing Jamie Carragher hits out at Mike Ashley after his shock statement…

I think Mike aint Mike anymore, theres been some kind of invasion of the bodysnatchers switch a few months back!

— Cullercoats11 (@Cullercoats11) October 26, 2020

No idea why so many season ticket holders still haven’t cancelled the direct debits. Is it incase you lose your seats? Surely the club will give season ticket holders priority when it all goes back to normal…

— TEGA GAMES (@WEARETEGA) October 26, 2020

Mike Ashley is some guy like..

14.95 is too much for fans in the current climate.
What about the season ticket money fans have paid upfront or direct debits every month rolling straight into the clubs account?
That’s a hell of allot more than 14 bastard 95

— Karl Thompson (@Karl84thompson) October 26, 2020

Is this the same Mike Ashley telling the Premier League stop being greedy even though Ashley has been greedy at our club for 13 years

— Liam (@LiamNUFC98) October 26, 2020

Cleaning up his image before he goes…sports washing…

— Simon (@LittleHenryD) October 26, 2020

pic.twitter.com/IyKW73q1i0

— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) October 26, 2020

So basically Ashley’s done his maths and realised he’ll get more cash if it’s only £5 per match than he got when it was £15. Don’t for a second think he’s got the fans thoughts in mind here. If he had then an announcement on season ticket refunds would have been made.

— Mark (@Mark74NUFC) October 26, 2020

not quite – he has seen how much they got and reckons people will pay £5 so he gets more overall

— Michael Smith (@Smithmichaelw) October 26, 2020

wait, ashley… doing something…. to support…. us working class…. people….

2020 really do be a crazy year

— ross (@lockdownhater48) October 26, 2020

So people should get something for nothing is what you’re saying? BT and Sky didn’t purchase the rights to these games so can’t simply show them, £4.95 pretty reasonable to be fair, current pricing is farcical. Odd world where Mike Ashley is a voice of reason though ???

— George Byrne (@gbyrne1974) October 26, 2020

It’s not so much the price that people are upset with (regardless of how expensive it is) but the concept that the clubs have done it too manipulate and expect fans to watch the game when most people will already be struggling with money in the current climate

— John (@LFCJohn35) October 26, 2020

Because Sky/BT packages only include those games the companies paid to broadcast. You knew how many games you’d get when you signed up. We now have a culture that wants something for nothing.

— JoshPSomerville (@SomervilleJosh2) October 27, 2020

Or how about you include them in the subscriptions we already pay too much for?

— ℕ????? ᵇˡᵐ ????????? (@mxdeupsmile) October 26, 2020

£4.95 and one of these bad boys chucked in and you’ve got yourself a deal. pic.twitter.com/Ag9KEIR4v4

— Emmo (@Stevenemmerson) October 26, 2020

It’s all about income+revenue. Sponsors aren’t getting what they’re paying for. They’ll be turning round to the clubs saying we’ll have to pay less for the game no one’s watching.

— Train Traveller (@TrainTraveller5) October 26, 2020

Mike Ashley talks about price. Oh my days.

— nessunicolori (@NoColoursLaddie) October 26, 2020

You know someone’s royally fucked up if Mike Ashley thinks it’s unfair economically https://t.co/c0DnInPPEa

— Pépé is a ?⚪️ (@NotYourWinger) October 26, 2020