Newcastle fan group AshleyOut have called for supporters to engage in a full boycott of the club until owner Mike Ashley leaves the club.
The group released the statement calling for action on Saturday, following Monday’s announcement that Rafael Benitez is to leave the club at the end of the week after failing to reach an agreement over an extension to his contract.
“It was confirmed on Monday that Rafael Benitez and his backroom staff are to leave the club on 30th June 2019,” the post read on AshleyOut.com.
“No true Newcastle fan needs to be told what Rafa brought to this club and what he would’ve brought to the club in the future, if given the chance. No true Newcastle fan needs to be reminded who is to blame for the mess we are in. We have now suffered 12 years of Mike Ashley. Enough is enough.”
“If fans want change and a future for the club then action must be taken. No more excuses. No more ‘wait and see’. No more sitting around hoping someone else will do something.”
“From today, AshleyOut.com is urging all fans to participate in a full boycott of St. James’ Park, club merchandise and all businesses associated with the club until Mike Ashley leaves the club.”
Newcastle fans have previously produced banners and flags voicing their discontent over Ashley’s reign, while arranged boycotts have been carried out mixed results.
OPINION
Things are starting to get ugly at Newcastle now. Magpies fans are a truly passionate bunch – no-one needs reminding of that – and you can bet that there will be quite a few fans backing this boycott. If it does take place – and lots of supporters do back it – it will surely be an eye-opener as to just how aggrieved the Toon fans feel at this stage. Benitez staying would have been the perfect situation, but the stubbornness of Ashley to give the manager just a few more financial assurances has meant that the club now have to go right back to square one and are in such an unstable position with pre-season just around the corner. If you thought Newcastle were already going through a turbulent time as it is, just wait until this boycott kicks in. Then you will see how turbulent the situation at St James’ Park has become, and how much some fans want Ashley to sell up.
