Mike Ashley ruined Newcastle sale by 'creating disturbance in Dubai bar', says Tony Jimenez

Mike Ashley ruined a deal to sell Newcastle by creating a 'disturbance in a bar', says his former business partner Tony Jimenez

Mike Ashley refused to meet the current owners of Manchester City over the sale of Newcastle United, and ruined another potential deal after he "created a disturbance in a bar" in Dubai, according to the club's former vice-president Tony Jimenez.

The allegations have been made during the latest stage of a High Court dispute between Ashley and Jimenez, in which the Magpies' owner is suing his former business partner.

Ashley has accused Jimenez of fraud and forgery and says he is owed £3m. Jimenez disputes the claims.

During analysis of issues before the trial, the judge, Chief Master Matthew Marsh, heard Jimenez's claims about Ashley.

Peter Kenyon is reported to be eyeing a deal to buy Newcastle

Jimenez's lawyer, Adam Johnson QC, said: "Mr Ashley refused to meet a potential buyer who went on to purchase Manchester City Football Club.

"He (Jimenez) lined up some further potential buyers and Mr Ashley then visited Dubai between September 13 and 18 2008 in order to meet them.

"Mr Jimenez says that on the evening of September 16 2008, Mr Ashley created a disturbance in a bar in Dubai.

"Although Mr Jimenez helped Mr Ashley minimise the impact of the trouble, it again ruined the potential sale of Newcastle United Football Club that Mr Jimenez had lined up."

Ashley bought Newcastle in 2007 and has been deeply unpopular with Magpies fans for the majority of his tenure.

Former Chelsea and Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon is reported to be in the process of putting together a deal in an attempt to purchase the club from Ashley.