The Toon owner took manager Rafa Benitez and his players out for a morale-boosting meal at restaurant Rialto in Ponteland, Northumberland.
Ashley was booed by supporters as he left the Italian and then cameras caught him appearing to make a V-sign gesture as he was driven away in a people carrier.
Yet a spokesman for the sportswear supremo told SunSport: “Mike did not give a V-sign.
“He merely placed his hand on his neck and is looking in a different direction.
“It is obvious from the accompanying photos that he is smiling and enjoying the evening.”
Ashley spent three hours at the restaurant and sat with boss Benitez and managing director Lee Charnley.
Around a dozen protesting supporters turned up after learning of the location of the dinner.
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They chanted, “Where’s the money gone?” and jeered Ashley as he left Rialto and got into the back of a car.
Ashley had organised the evening after watching Newcastle’s 2-0 home defeat to Leicester last weekend – the first match he had attended at St James’ Park in 16 months.
The meal was the first time Ashley had met Benitez face-to-face in five months and only the fourth time ever.
And he hopes the dinner will help him build bridges with the Spanish manager, who is out of contract at the end of the season and refusing to sign a new deal.
Newcastle visit Manchester United on Saturday sitting in the relegation zone having failed to win any of their first seven Premier League games.
Meanwhile a campaign group have vowed to step up their attack on Ashley and called for further action against him.
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