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Mike Ashley - Newcastle’s enigmatic retail genius

Alamy | Mike Ashley after yet another legal battle - leaving the High Court in London with his PR and legal team.

Unconventional tycoon turned a single shop into Britain’s biggest retail empire. 21 years ago Ashley turned whistleblower and reported his rivals to the Office of Fair Trading.

Since taking over Newcastle in 2007, record has been defined by underachievement.

Hopes of selling club scuppered by potential Saudi investors’ unwillingness to engage with Premier League scrutiny. – but Ashley wants payback from EPL.

Last week Mike Ashley filed a lawsuit against the Premier League for its role in the club's collapsed takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

10 May 2021 - 2:51 PM

By James Corbett, Senior Correspondent

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