Richard Keys backs former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley to take over Championship club

Richard Keys has sided with Mike Ashley over his decision to evict Coventry City from the CBS Arena - and backed the former Championship to take full ownership of the Championship club.

Ashley’s Fraser Group, having acquired the stadium last month after the previous landlords went into administration, have told the Sky Blues to leave and they have no right to use the ground.

The news has sparked outrage among Coventry supporters, who have sympathy from Newcastle fans after enduring 14 years of the Sports Direct tycoon.

Keys, a Coventry fan, showed his support for Ashley however. He tweeted: “The deal Mike Ashley has offered Coventry to play at CBS Arena is a fair one. It would require the club not to fall into arrears again.

“Ownership issues at Cov are a joke. Ashley can flush out the chancers. If he ends up owning the club he’ll have my backing.”

Ashley had previously given assurances to Coventry over their future at the CBS Arena, according to chief executive Dave Boddy.

He said in his most recent programme notes: “The Football Club has had brief initial discussions with the Fraser Group regarding the future of the Arena and their interest in it, and they have given us assurances that the Sky Blues continuing to play at the Arena is very much part of their plans, should they purchase the Arena.”