More great news for Newcastle’s much-loved owner

Youngsters who hang about at bus stops waiting to earn an ASBO will be devastated to learn that their clothing purveyors of choice - JJB Sports and Sports Direct - are to be investigated by the Serious Fraud Office for price fixing and fraud.

Dave Whelan’s former company and Mike Ashley’s current profit-zapping outfit have been the subject of a secret investigation by the Office of Fair Trading since January. The Guardian’s business eggheads report:

JJB this morning told shareholders that it had sparked the probe with an approach to the OFT just 10 days after the company suspended its former chief executive, Chris Ronnie. It claims to have negotiated immunity in exchange for whistle-blowing co-operation.

What on Earth could have inspired the his change of heart?

Dave Whelan on job hunting Michael Owen, June 17th, 2009:

‘His wages are too expensive, for one thing, and, for another, you have to ask whether he still has the urge, the bottle and the drive.’

Dave Whelan on Manchester Utd employee Michael Owen, August 21st, 2009:

“Signing Michael Owen for Manchester United was a wonderful move by Alex Ferguson.”

We have absolutely no idea why Mr Whelan has changed his mind, but on a completely unrelated note, here’s a story about a Wigan owner’s undying love for a Manchester Utd manager.

Wigan owner lays into job hunting striker

Dave and Roberto display a garment that a certain horse-loving striker will not be wearing

Never one to keep his opinions to himself, Dave Whelan has windmilled his way into the Michael Owen transfer saga, making it clear the Newcastle forward will not be making a living at the DW Stadium next season:

When questioned about the glossy brochure produced by Owen’s representatives to entice a buyer, Whelan said:

‘We haven’t received the brochure, and we wouldn’t be interested in him.”

In no way embittered by the fact that his club hadn’t received a copy of the hallowed brochure, the Wigan owner continued:

‘His wages are too expensive, for one thing, and, for another, you have to ask whether he still has the urge, the bottle and the drive.

‘I hope he has, because he has been a great player. But that’s a big question. I tried to sign him when he came back from Real Madrid.

Latics fans get their money’s worth

Dave Whelan might be a bit of an egomaniac and have an unhealthy obsession with Sir Alex, but he definitely knows how to give supporters value for money. Attention-seeking research by ING Direct has revealed Wigan fans have most reason to smile ‘in the current climate’ after paying out a relative pittance on season tickets to see their team triumph (well, they were fighting for 7th until a few weeks ago) in the Premiership.

Second in the value league are Blackburn, who charge just £200 for their cheaper annual passes. In contrast, some Spurs fans will have shelled out near to £2k for the privilege of watching their beloved team being given a shoeing by Hull, Stoke and West Brom at various points in the season.

Has your team’s performance been worth your hard earned coin this season? Thoughts below and see the list after the jump…

Sportswear mogul kicks fellow sportswear mogul while he is down

Currently two points adrift in the relegation zone and with only one league win since December, it’s certainly raining shit on Newcastle at the moment. To make matters worse, Wigan owner Dave Whelan has squinted down at the Magpies from up in seventh place to lay into Mike Ashley, a man who has actively tried (and failed) to part ways with his club.

Whelan’s criticisms do not seem to be directed at his business acumen, football nous or anything else relatively constructive. Instead, he focuses on the disgusting shame Ashley has brought on the entire north east by failing to wear a suit in the boardroom. Casual clothing in a professional environment? It makes us sick just thinking about it:

“When I first went there just after Mike Ashley had bought it he turned up in the boardroom in a pair of jeans, a pair of trainers and a replica shirt.

“Immediately he did that, the club’s gone.

“You don’t do things like that in football. He’s got no class whatsoever.

“He’s representing Newcastle United who were such a proud club.

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The Spoiler politely reminds rMike Riley of the correct way to referee a game

Video: A Paraguayan midfielder faint on the pitch
[101GG]

Fredi Kanoute is getting attention from English clubs
[The Mirror]

Sexy time with Oliver Kahn
[Dirty Tackle]

Drogba moves to the Bundesliga. Didier’s brother Joel Drogba, that is
[Sporting Life]

Egotistical News: Dave Whelan is changing the name of the JJB Stadium to…
[Daily Mail]

Theo Walcott says we should all fear the Gunners
[Football365]

28 days to go until the window is flung open

It’s only four weeks until the January transfer window opens and all eyes turn eagerly towards Manchester City in the hope they they will pump some money around and get a merry-go-round started. What better time than now then for The Spoiler to bring back it’s daily transfer rumour round-up? Here are the latest whisperings that we’ve heard:

Dean Ashton to the highest bidder
Everybody is expecting a FIRE SALE! at West Ham next month but which player do the Daily Mirror think is on top of every Premier League club’s wishlist? Not Robert Green, who starred against Arsenal and Liverpool, nor Matthew Upson, who has established himself as England’s third-choice centre-back. Instead it’s injury-prone pizza fan Dean Ashton, who may not play again this season, who West Ham are supposedly expecting £18 million for.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Any sale would surely happen in the summer and for a seven-figure fee

Emile Heskey to Aston Villa

Should the Premier League have demanded more proof in April?

The latest extract leaked from The Daily Mail’s copy of the Tevez tribunal outcome offers even more proof that the incompetence of Premier League chiefs Richard Scudamore and Dave Richards is to blame for the current situation:

If the Premier League had known what Mr Duxbury for West Ham was saying to Mr Joorabchian’s solicitor (Graham Shear) following the commission’s decision, we are confident the Premier League would have suspended Mr Tevez’s registration as a West Ham player.

This implies that while the Premier League gave West Ham permission to play Carlos Tevez in the final three matches on the understanding that the Hammers had amended their arrangement with Kia Joorabchian, chief executive Scott Duxbury was telling the MSI chief differently behind closed doors.