10 Biggest Newcastle United Controversies In The Premier League Era

2. Wonga

Derek Llambias lauded it as "the best deal we've ever done" when announcing Wonga as our new sponsors at the in the Autumn of 2012. Newcastle United, well the top brass at least, had expensed with all semblances of dignity and ethics to line the club's coffers to the tune of £24 million over four years. Llambias endeavoured to put a positive PR spin on it but there was no sugar coating a deal that saw us strike a commercial partnership with a short-term loans company who preyed on the vulnerable and whose interest rate peaked at an eye-watering 4,214% APR. Criticism was wide ranging with disgusted local MPs, consumer groups and trade unions pitching in to condemn the club for its apparent moral deficiency.

Ian Lavery, Labour MP for Wansbeck, didn't hold back in a scathing assessment of Wonga when speaking to the Telegraph, describing them as €œfinancial predators who make their money from people suffering from unemployment, low wages and in the greatest financial need."

€œNewcastle United will be sponsored by the money of deprived people up and down the country.€

Wonga even tried to score points by pledging the cash to return St James' Park back to its original designation. It earned them few pardons although much anger was rightly directed towards the club for abandoning their core principles in the pursuit of financial gain. Then came Cisse-gate...