Newcastle United fans have launched one of their most public demonstrations so far against the club’s billionaire owner Mike Ashley, unveiling a banner at Tuesday night’s clash with Manchester United to protest about the way he runs his embattled retail chain, Sports Direct. Fans along the Gallowgate stand unfurled the banner, reading “#SportsDirectShame”, near the end of the first half of the match.
It is the latest in a string of protests against Ashley’s ownership of the football club that he bought in 2007. The sportswear chain is also embroiled in ongoing controversy over working conditions and pay.
Approximately £1bn has been wiped off Sports Direct’s stock market value this year following concerns over the company’s trading raised by a Guardian investigation in December, which found that the retailer was effectively paying thousands of temporary warehouse workers below the national minimum wage.
The Guardian’s reports led to a question in parliament and calls for an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs, as well as criticism from the Institute of Directors, which branded Sports Direct a “scar on British business”.
On New Year’s Eve, Sports Direct pledged £10m for a pay rise for staff from the start of this year. Ashley has also promised to lead a review of all Sports Direct’s temporary staff terms and conditions.
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