A much needed update on the prospective takeover of Newcastle United arrived from the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope on Tuesday night.
His latest ‘exclusive’ states that the ‘moral, political and legal’ difficulties presented to the Premier League by this proposed Saudi takeover are likely to mean future owners’ and directors’ tests are revamped, but insists these concerns look unlikely to derail their £300m purchase at St James’ Park – just delay it.
With this in mind, he reports that it’s likely we hear news of Premier League approval (and an announcement) next week – partly due to the fact the current testing does NOT account for piracy complaints.
Here’s a snippet from Craig Hope’s piece for The Mail, which helps explain just why things have dragged, along with his message to a Newcastle fan on Twitter:
‘The moral, political and legal difficulties presented to the Premier League by Saudi Arabia’s proposed takeover of Newcastle United is likely to see a revamp of their owners’ and directors’ test.
‘The £300million deal, backed by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund, is awaiting the League’s approval but that process is understood to have been held up given the complexity of broadcast piracy allegations against the Saudi state.
‘We are told that the likelihood remains that the deal will be approved, in part because the Premier League tests are badly drafted and do not take issues like piracy specifically into account
‘Sources close to the deal suspect a decision could even be delayed until next week, especially as the matter of if and when Premier League football can return will be taking priority.
‘We are told it is the framework of the owners’ and directors’ test that has left the PL exposed to criticism and, as such, a review of the process of examining prospective new owners is expected once the Newcastle takeover is resolved.‘
So, this seems like a lose/lose situation for the Premier League – but one that’s exposed the flaws in their owners’ and directors’ test as much as anything.
That being said, this looks likely to be good news for ourselves, with the report essentially saying the PL will be criticised for approving this Saudi deal, but will put more stringent measures in place for future tests as a result of the shortcomings this takeover has flagged up.
The wait is unbearable, incredibly tedious and nerve wracking, however it feels like the current test doesn’t have the capacity to block this deal.
How about now looking at the Chinese owners of Wolves seeing as they are now global pariahs in this Coronavirus Pandemic and have allegedly made certain individuals linked to science laboratories ‘disappear? As well, of course, as all their other misdemeanours.
Then we should start with Abramovich at Chelsea and his Russian connections. Didn’t they allegedly poison individuals in this country and at home? As well, of course, as all their other misdemeanours.
No? Didn’t think so – we’re talking Newcastle United here.
taken4mugs(Quote)
This sounds like we have got new owners as of next week .in the future new owners have to pass more tighter rules. I am buzzing.howay the toon.happy days
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Robert(Quote)
I’ve been shouting about the Chinese and Russians fir ages now. Both brutal regimes as are man city’s owners.
But as soon as we add Newcastle’s name, we have a problem
Stephen(Quote)
It’s about football not politics. We are the dreamers.now let us be to live the dream.as it’s our rights we sleep eat.blead black and white.our church is st.james park.welcome to the next level.come on all you mags.toon toon black and white army.
Robert(Quote)
If NUFC is as valuable as we seem to believe. I’d rather wait until we have potential owners that are worthy of ownership.
I desperately want to see the fat man gone but I’m not too happy with being owned by an alleged murderer, no matter how rich he is.
Out of the frying pan, into the fire?
Andy(Quote)
If we go back up stream and look at all overseas investment in the property market particularly London. I doubt that’ll happen as it’s also linked with pension investments.
Michael Donald(Quote)
If this was man u./ Liverpool / Tottenham it would have no objections
Didn’t this PIF try to buy Liverpool for a lot more money first
So what are the critics againstead seems there very nervous
Mike(Quote)
I love my nufc but all the speculation is starting to bore me to death the bud ice will stay in the fridge & my bottle of slow gin will weight till I c the result is on sky sports cheers
Bonzo(Quote)
nothing new here, old news rewritten. Im goin to stop reading news about the Newcastle sale for a while coz it’s literally doin my nut in and to be honest nobody has a clue what is going on and its all just guess work from reporters!
John Carling(Quote)
The FA have always looked down at the NE as all southerners do. They would not dare challenge Spurs, even Fulham. Just remember how they treat Gateshead.
Len Galloway(Quote)
Here we go again, OLD news forget about it, dead and burried, if there was even a slight chance of this sale still possible and that is a big if, the fat man wouldnt have spent a single £1 in the transfer window
Gav(Quote)
This article is from May, Gav…
Olly Hawkins(Quote)