INSIDE the media room at Newcastle United's training ground on Tuesday, the club's managing director Derek Llambias sat proudly in front of a new advertising board. Alongside the famous club crest was the now infamous Wonga logo.

Over the course of the next five years, Newcastle supporters better get used to seeing that. Whether they like it or not, it would seem, Wonga are on Tyneside to stay.

A four-year shirt sponsorship deal will start at the beginning of next season and is worth a staggering £8m every 12 months to the Magpies. It might have been the biggest deal in the club's history, but it has also been the most controversial.

Llambias, and owner Mike Ashley, have never been afraid to make unpopular decisions and confirmation Wonga will be the new official partner is another of those that has caused a huge stir.

Forget the £35m sale of Andy Carroll, the decision to sell off the naming rights to St James' Park, the handling of Alan Shearer or the sacking of Chris Hughton, the Wonga contract is a commercial windfall only a select number of Premier League clubs could have pulled off.

Morally what Wonga offer doesn't rest easy on my conscience. If a Newcastle supporter took out one of the lender's loans to buy a £49.99 shirt, it would have cost £71.92 after just one month. That works out at an annual rate of interest of 4,212 per cent - a figure well documented by now.

Such policies have infuriated the leader of the Newcastle city council, Nick Forbes, as well as MPs and sections of the club's fans.

And now the Muslim Council of Britain is suggesting the team's practising Muslims - four faced Manchester United on Sunday - may have to think twice about wearing a shirt with Wonga emblazoned across it, as it would go against Sharia Law.

It's been a can of worms which has grown legs, but I don't blame  Ashley or Llambias. Newcastle United operates in a Premier League world of financial figures, over-the-top wages, inflated transfer fees and multi-million pound deals.

Whatever you think of Wonga - who already sponsor Blackpool and Hearts -  they are a legal company, so in that sense Newcastle are entitled to have that branding  across their shirts and helping the club's academy and work in the community.

A business decision has been made, Newcastle are moving forward and have greater finance to spend on helping the club develop.

Until legislation prevents payday lenders from charging so much interest on short-term loans then Newcastle are within their rights to have them as a sponsor. 

For those who disagree, direct your opinions towards the government to demand change or try to get those willing to turn to Wonga in their hour of need to look elsewhere.

The law needs to change, but until then Wonga are a legitimate company willing to invest in Newcastle's future.