ESPNsoccernet: England

Ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair has labelled the ongoing crisis at Newcastle United as "a tragedy" for the club's fans.

Blair with a Toon shirt alongside Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of Tanzania (GettyImages)

But Blair, who is an ardent Toon fan, stopped short of criticising owner Mike Ashley for his running of the club.

Newcastle are still in limbo ahead of the Championship season, with no progress on the sale of the club, no manager and a bloated and expensive playing squad that urgently needs trimming.

And Blair, who spent ten years at Downing Street, said: "It is a tragedy what has happened. We have to got to regroup, reassert ourselves and move back up again."

But the man who stood down from the top job in 2007 resisted the tempataion to condemn Ashley, whose popularity on Tyneside is nonexistent. "I would not get into criticising anyone who has got into the onerous responsibility of running a football club."

Alan Shearer is still waiting in the wings and is widely expected to take the reins once any takeover is completed. Until then Chris Hughton remains in charge and no players will go in or out.

Newcastle begin their Championship campaign at West Brom on August 8.