Steve Bruce backs Mike Ashley's stance on controversial fee opposed by Newcastle United fans

Newcastle United’s owner issued a statement ahead of a Premier League meeting earlier this week on the unpopular £14.95 charge for additional TV games.

"Charging £14.95 for single televised matches in the current climate it is not acceptable to any football fan,” said Ashley. “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 club had originally backed the proposal, according to Ashley, "because there were no realistic or any viable alternatives put forward to enable supporters to watch (behind-closed-doors) matches”.

Many United fans donated to the Newcastle West End Foodbank rather than pay extra to watch the recent home game against Manchester United, and the pay-per-view arrangements are set to change

Head coach Bruce, speaking ahead of Sunday’s home game against Everton, said: “I agree with him (Ashley) – I think £15 is far too much.

"When people pay their subscriptions to Sky and BT, whatever it is, you know, I think £15 for a game is too much, so I’m all for it.

"Also, if we’re not careful, we’ll over-saturate it too. We’re seeing every game, eight, 10 games a weekend. For me, it’s not a spectacle. We’re all delighted we’re playing some sort of football, but it’s not the spectacle we all witnessed whether we’re in the stadium or watching on the TV. It’s not the same.

"At this particularly difficult time, a fiver’s enough. I’m all for it.”

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