Doesn't it 'kick in' in the next close season?
The payment probably arrives at the end of this season BUT it is a guaranteed payment hence other clubs spending it
Ashley is quite content with us staying in the league, finishing higher in the league doesn't concern him (actually he probably wants to avoid it since the Europa League is a distraction), just wants to rake in the tv money
Yet we didn't fine him?
Nor has he released any kind of statement defending himself. There's definitely some Machiavellian stuff going on from both sides but to me it looks like Pardle/the club pulled him from the Man City game and he withdrew from the West Ham game.
Yesterday was his/our way of saying he's not leaving imo.
I think it was a joint agreement between him and the club. If we wanted him to play I think he would have BUT it suited both parties for him to sit out the matches as a move seemed likely