Rupert denies takeover reports

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Billionaire Johann Rupert, the man behind Swiss-owned luxury goods company Richemont, has rubbished reports he has eyes on succeeding Mike Ashley as owner at St James' Park.

Fellow South African Jonathan Cleland claims to have already spoken to former manager Kevin Keegan about a return to the club if a consortium he is heading is successful. But Rupert has denied he is one of the men involved in the bid saying: "I have never met Mr Cleland, never spoken to him on the phone and my secretary does not have a record of him calling."

He added: "I haven't spoken to any of the other parties either.

"I don't know Mr Cleland, I have a preference for cricket and rugby. I don't know anything about football and I'm not a football man."

Rupert added on Radio 5 Live: "I think it is a bit naughty. They use your name, you deny it - it is a total joke.

"If you Google me you find out I was supposed to be involved in Blackburn, which is untrue, and I'm now linked to Newcastle.

"I feel sorry for the fans because of the things that are going on there.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing was a fake."