BBC reporter reveals what WTO have told the Premier League about a £300m Saudi takeover

According to senior BBC reporter Ian Dennis, the WTO report has told the Premier League they would be “acting inconsistently” if they approved a £300m Saudi takeover.

The report from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is set to be released today, detailing the potential link between Saudi Arabia and beoutQ – the illegal pirate satellite TV service in question – however it seems a few reporters have now been given early access to the WTO’s findings.

One of those appears to be the BBC’s Ian Dennis, with him revealing how the WTO have warned the Premier League against passing this Saudi-backed bid:

“should the Premier League approve the Newcastle takeover by KSA, it would be acting inconsistently with its own decisions and factual evidence as part of the WTO proceedings”

While the above sounds damning, making many fear this will make the Premier League’s mind up, there is still a dispute that it’s not Saudi Arabia itself buying us – it’s the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), meaning the link may not be relevant to the actual buyers.

It’s an absolute minefield and utterly exhausting, however it seems a decision may be coming one way or another following the full release of this WTO report.

Given so many have stressed that the Staveley and the PIF expected to face these issues over piracy, let’s hope there’s still time for a solution – especially if this WTO report is seriously condemning a Saudi takeover.

If this tweet from The Athletic’s Matt Slater is anything to go by, it seems the Saudis are STILL in a position to resolve this, despite the ‘damning’ claims against them:

(Fancy writing for us? Get in touch at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

3 thoughts on “BBC reporter reveals what WTO have told the Premier League about a £300m Saudi takeover

  1. Two things from the quote in the article. It is Newcastle UNITED being taken over. I think the WTO would not make that error. Also being taken over by KSA (we are not its the PIF) so just putting this article down to yet more speculative, click baiting made up shoite. Wake me up when they have actually announced yes or no

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  2. Id be really surprised if the WTO report even mentions Newcastle or any takeover i think it will stick to its remit is piracy being government supported its then up to the premier league to decide on the fit and proper test.
    Likewise if they stick to their remit that shouldn’t come up either as there are bound to be disputes and appeals over its content.
    More likely they will want to say they gave considered it just like the letter from the journalists wife.
    Govt statements supporting Saudi are prob more beneficial as to indicating where things are going.
    Top and bottom of it is they will be able to say they carried out a comprehensive review and test taking every consideration into account.

    Anyone else think if this was Arsenal Lpool or Man u it would be done and dusted by now.
    The fact is the top table of football are looking at each other and nobody wants to give a seat up.

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