Rio Ferdinand may want to stay clear of Newcastle for the foreseeable future after his comments about the club’s controversial owner Mike Ashley sparked outrage amongst the Toon faithful.
In the build-up to Newcastle’s clash against Chelsea the BT Sport pundit, whose clothing range FIVE is sold exclusively by Ashley’s company Sports Direct, stated that Magpies fans should actually be thankful to Ashley.
“My issue is, it’s got nothing to do with the business dealings that I’ve got with his company, I just think that when they went down he spent £50m-odd to get them back up of his own money. Thank you, that should be,” said the Man Utd legend.
Then, when host Jake Humphrey pointed out it was perhaps Newcastle’s money generated from winning the league, not Ashley’s, Ferdinand said:
“He’s the owner...he’s done that to get them back up. And by the way, please say thank you for getting Rafael Benitez in because really by rights, they’re lucky to have him.”
The former defender would then go on to say:
“He wants to sell the club. Why should he go and spend millions and millions of pounds. If he spends £30m on a striker and £30m on a midfielder as he tries and sells the club, what happens if they both get injured? That’s £60m down the drain.”
Unsurprisingly, many Newcastle fans were quick to air their thoughts on Ferdinand’s comments...
Everything Rio said was factually wrong. He needs to have a think before letting off steam again. He looked very angry that Jake called him out for being wrong the last time, and for his ties to Ashley’s company. Strange bloke. (@MickyK79)
Shock horror, Rio Ferdinand isn't the brightest crayon in the box. "Ashley spent his own money when they went down"....Wtf? Firstly, it was largely down to his lack of investment and bad decisions why they went down. And, all the money which he spent was generated by the club. (@LukeAshworth5)
He didn't spend 50m of his own money he raked in 80m in outgoing business!? Nobody is asking for him to spend his own money now either, we are asking to spend the money the club generates (@MrGrizzlebeard)
What's so good about these comments is that it's not just Newcastle fans calling @rioferdy5 out! Just goes to show he's only convincing himself! (@_geordiecarl)
An absolute joke - the only truthful and fair comment was acknowledging the link he and his affairs have with Ashley and co. Invite a less biased co pundit to discuss with him next time (@mrbinny)
Rio Ferdinand with the dumbest comment I’ve ever seen made by a pundit on live TV. “What if Ashley spent £30m on a midfielder and £30m on a striker and they both get injured? That’s a waste of £60m.” (@EvG_Football)
You can watch Ferdinand’s comments for yourself right here:
"When they went down, he spent £50m of his own money to get them up. Thank you, that should be."
"By the way, please say thank you for getting Rafa Benítez in! They're lucky to have him!"
@rioferdy5 on Newcastle and their owner.