Richard Keys joins Rio Ferdinand in war with Newcastle fans by bizarrely suggesting Rafa Benitez pays for players himself
Former Manchester United star incurred the wrath of the Toon faithful when he made comments in support of the controversial businessman yesterday
RIO FERDINAND has taken to Twitter today to troll the Newcastle fans who slammed him for his support of Magpies’ owner Mike Ashley.
And ex-Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys incensed the Toon faithful even further by coming out in support of Ferdinand on the social media site.
The former Manchester United man fired back this morning at the Toon supporters who piled onto him after comments he made on television yesterday.
Ferdinand tweeted: “@NUFC fans good morning to you all!! Ya clubs turning a profit, no debt, oh & playing in the PL! Terrible!”
Keys, who now works for BeIn Sports, wrote: “Well said . If Rafa loves Newcastle as he says - spend some of his own money. He’s got enough.
“Management is about teamwork - why should it always be Ashley? Buy it. It’s still for sale. They’re in the bottom 3 & Rafa is responsible. He picks the team.”
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Unsurprisingly, the tweets brought about a flurry of responses from the Toon faithful – already upset with Ferdinand after his comments prior to Newcastle’s defeat at Chelsea yesterday.
Ferdinand had told BT Sport: “I understand Mike Ashley. Why is he going to spend more and more money - millions and millions of pounds - when he’s actually looking to sell the club?”
And his tweet this morning has led to many angry responses – from both Newcastle fans and other commentators.
George Caulkin, North East football correspondent for The Times, responded: “Morning Rio. NUFC turned a profit in the summer transfer window after your business partner Mike Ashley said ‘every penny’ generated would be given to Benitez.
“The club was £144m in debt in their last accounts. The team is in the bottom-3 of the Premier League. Anything else?”
Newcastle-based journalist Miles Starforth wrote: “Embarrassing and ill-informed. Stop digging.”
Newcastle fanzine writer Michael Martin tweeted: “@NUFC has a reported debt of over £130m which it owes to Ashley and was caused by and large by the 2 relegations Ashley is 100% responsible for causing. @rioferdy5 you are clueless.”
Newcastle fans and pundits were equally unimpressed by Richard Keys' tweet.
Broadcaster Daniel Storey responded: “Richard, do you pay the wages of guests that come on BeIn Sports? If a camera needs replacing, do you chip in to buy it?”
Magpies fan Dan Potter added: “Suggesting the manager should spend his own money on players? We all know you'd lost the plot a while ago but what a ridiculous statement.”
Twitter user Chris Taylor put it much more succinctly, saying simply: “Are you on glue?”
Newcastle have slipped to 18th place in the Premier League table. After a midweek visit to Blackburn for their FA Cup 3rd round replay, they face Cardiff City at home next weekend.