Rupert: Prefers cricket and rugby

Related links

News

• Kinnear pledges maximum effort
• Magpies sale draws closer
• Given - This is a low
• Shepherd's Toon price warning
• Francis considers Toon offer
• Jimenez leaves Magpies
• Magpies wait on bidders
• New deadline for Magpies
• Clifford in Keegan talks
• Keegan in talks over Toon return
• Kinnear hits back at criticism
• Secret seven target Toon
• Nigerians confirm Toon offer
• Shepherd out of Magpies race
• Given unsure of Kinnear move
• Kinnear - I am last resort
• Hughton hails Kinnear 'direction'
• Magpies turn to Kinnear
• El Tel explains Toon snub
• El Tel 'rejects Toon offer'
• Woodgate feels for Magpies
• Nigerians hopeful of Magpies deal
• Venables in Toon talks
• Dalglish rejects Toon talk
• Owen still 'feeling' KK exit
• Nigerians eye Toon takeover
• Geremi - Let's stick together
• Hughton wants swift decision
• Hughton focused on form
• Hughton aware of challenge
• Whelan - Ashley deserves flak
• Wigan expect Bruce to stay
• DIG rejects Toon reports
• Xisco distracted by Toon turmoil
• Report - Ashley sets Toon price
• Toon deny Shearer sacking
• Ashley - End Toon madness
• Ashley's statement
• Ashley seeks Newcastle sale
• Robson reveals Wise worry
• Keegan talks unsuccessful
• Keegan 'holds Ashley talks'
• Zico open to Magpies post
• Lotina rejects Toon talk
• Hughton handed Magpies reins
• Gullit tips Shearer for Toon
• Keegan successor
• KK calls Tyne on Toon
• Xisco gutted at KK exit
• Magpies saddened by Keegan exit
• Keegan finally quits Toon
• Keegan absent from training
• Keegan talks fail

Feature

• NUFC merry-go-round
• KK ups and downs

Teams

• Newcastle United

Also see

• Newcastle forum
• Ashley's full statement
• Join the debate
• Ashley timeline
• Investors flock to Shepherd

One of the South African businessmen linked with a takeover of Newcastle has ruled himself out of the running.

Billionaire Johann Rupert, the man behind Swiss-owned luxury goods company Richemont, has rubbished reports suggesting he is interested in purchasing the Premier League club off current owner Mike Ashley.

His countryman Jonathan Cleland claims to have already held talks with former Magpies boss Kevin Keegan should the consortium he is heading take control at St James' Park.

However, Rupert has denied that he is one of the men involved in that bid.

"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 told BBC Radio 5 Live.

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

Naughty

"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: "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."