Newcastle United Football Club

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52193

Magpies slam fresh sale talk

07 Jul 2008 - 14:58:23

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Newcastle United have described as 'nonsense' reports that the family of Osama bin Laden had contacted the Magpies about a potential takeover.

Newly-installed managing director Derek Llambias has hit out at the stories which suggested the St James' Park club were in talks with the Saudi Bin Laden Group over a £300million buyout.

The reports came hard on the heels of suggestions that Magpies owner Mike Ashley had been contacted by New York-based finance company InterMedia Partners over another takeover last week.

"At a time when everyone at Newcastle United is working hard to prepare for the new season ahead, it is annoying that we have to continually correct inaccurate newspaper stories," Llambias told the club's official website.

"Whoever is putting these stories around is clearly trying to destabilise the club and you wonder what their motives are for doing this.

"By putting a new management structure in place this year, by investing in new signings at first team and academy level, and by introducing cheaper tickets for our younger fans, the long-term commitment and vision for Newcastle United is there for all to see.

"Those actions speak louder than any words and I'm sure supporters see these stories for what they are - utter nonsense."