Amanda Staveley’s response to Newcastle’s statement on the Saudi takeover saga has been revealed live on talkSPORT earlier today – and it perhaps raises more questions than answers.
This morning, Lee Charnley said the following, addressing Mike Ashley’s stance on the situation and “100% commitment” to STILL sell to the Saudis:
“We acknowledge yesterday’s statement. Never say never, but to be clear Mike Ashley is 100% committed to this deal (sale). However our current focus must now be on supporting Steve Bruce in the transfer market and on the preparations for the new season.”
Prior to this, Staveley said she “didn’t wan’t to give up” on this NUFC takeover in an emotional interview with The Athletic’s George Caulkin.
Now, talkSPORT’s Jim White has shared a message he received this morning from the Yorkshire-born businesswoman, in response to Charnley’s statement – which dropped the “never say never” hint and revealed Ashley’s “commitment” to salvaging this £300m deal with the Saudis:
“That is great news.”
If Jim White is to be believed, this was her response before heading into another court case with Barclays this morning.
The club’s statement suggests this deal isn’t quite dead and buried and this alleged response from Staveley hints at a willingness to get it back on track if there’s any chance of resurrecting it, however this feels irresponsible and all too raw.
For me, this doesn’t help. We’re trying to come to terms with the devastating news, so any form of false hope is just dangerous now. Who knows if there is the tiniest glimmer, but I don’t want to even allow myself to believe again after yet another false dawn.
After all, we’re barely even 24 hours on from the crushing announcement. To toy with our emotions even further will only open the door to more hurt.
It’s the hope that kills you…and we’ve had 4 months of it.
It was a dangling carrot that allowed us to dream not only of a world without Mike Ashley, but a Newcastle United freed from its chains and back competing again.
One day I’m sure we’ll get our club back, but unless there is genuinely a way for this to be sorted out (and I can’t see how that happens anytime soon given the nature of this Saudi saga!), I don’t think it’s fair to relight a four-month flame we’ve just been told to pour cold water over.
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Totally agree Olly, we’ve been on an emotional roller coaster for 17 weeks. The fact is the PL will not let this happen and we now have to move on.
No more false hope or constant rumours are needed right now, it serves no purpose other than to mess with fans mental health.
kimtoon(Quote)
I said the same thing earlier on the End of Season awards thread. Seriously, what is the point unless there are hard facts that they have returned to the PL with a new submission. Who can blame them for walking away after 4 months of scrutiny and bad mouthing of their country, doing the opposite of what they were in it for. It may be deserved, but that’s not the point. I was the opposite of “sportswashing”. Need a new word for the process they went through “sports-shaming”, “sports-blaming”, “sports-soiling”?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Fatty is allegedly committed to selling. Charnley did not specifically say it was to Staveley, which everyone now is jumping on.
sickandtired(Quote)
Lee said this deal, as in the Saudi deal as there is no other deal. Either way it’s unhelpful and not needed right now, we are all too raw to care.
kimtoon(Quote)
Yeh, exactly.
If they dithered on it for four months, I don’t see why they’d pass it in the next four weeks (the season starts again in six!).
Don’t want to move on as this was our dream takeover, but we might have to unless we see proof that this bid has legs.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Looking forward to toon v scum derby in league 1
Larry Lauri(Quote)
Olly, Saw someone suggest that if PCP and Rubens increased there stake to 13% each then the Saudi share would fall below the 75% and could then be classed as investors instead of part owners, thus leaving PL with no way of refusing it. You would think that’s already been thought of though.
In the end it’s a dead duck though, not really up for transfer talk or even next season start at moment, just totally deflated really. Might even be done with it all, it’s not the same without fans in the stadium, feels kinda sterile and lacking in soul somehow.
kimtoon(Quote)
Obviously none of you know the Southampton course of events ? Toon going through the same ***** they went through, took 8 months to get Southampton deal through and that collapsed during the first attempt and that was down to Premier League, this deal isnt over mark my words the Saudis wont be beaten…
Thumper(Quote)
Oli, always enjoy your articles but I think you’ve let emotions get the better of you here.
It’s clear to anyone with business acumen that this is a power play by the PIF – watch this space.
Ryan(Quote)
I have never posted before but feel the need to now.I have supported nufc for over
60 years but have never felt as resentful an angry as now.The corrupt premier league
have totally displayed a level of cowardice corruption and self serving goals.
I wish that all these so called north east journalists seemingly in the know with no red lights and I have been told just ****** off.
I am done with the premier league and hope the Saudis buy someone like Roma who then wipe the floor with our big six in Europe. I wish the top six elite English clubs nothing but failure .
Kevin(Quote)
The takeover is done to death, all the journalists have had there go with articles copied and pasted and a lot said “sources close to” but In the end no one knew for definite the exact details of the deal and content within it. Now we have to put up with the aftermath of the announcements and journalist in a frenzy writing articles to fill space. Give us a break and put it too bed. Stop using the lukewarm headlines that the deal could still be done just to get clicks and string us along. Had 4 months of it and Covid so give it a rest and find some positive news for a change.
Cocobear(Quote)
I’m with Kevin on this one. Being a Toon Supporter from the south for over 50 years, attending the odd game here and there when I can, and previously buying shirts and and all sorts of NUFC gear it must now come to a stop. If I was the Saudis I’d do as Kevin said but I’d buy someone like Valencia or Seville in Spain and back them to the tune of 250 million to see where it gets them. We all know in reality the Spanish league is already a far superior league to the Premiership in footballing terms, I’d much rather watch Barca or Madrid over the likes of the Manure, Chelski, Spurs or the **** and all. And then when the TV rights come up they should buy that out too and flood the Middle East with quality football at the Prem’s expense. Maybe they could even buy a TV Company in the UK and put the Spanish League on in competition to the Prem. Better still give it to Amazon and air it free on Prime! I know which league I’d rather watch!
Supporter doon souff(Quote)