Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery has urged the Premier League to “cut out the disrespect” and tell Newcastle United fans what an earth is going on with this potential Saudi takeover.
The Labour politician also warns that he has the ability to escalate his complaint to the Culture Media & Sport Select Committee or launch an adjournment debate in parliament.
As one of 40 MPs who’ve agreed to push Richard Masters and Co for some much needed answers and transparency, here’s what Lavery told Sky Sports News:
“We haven’t had any response whatsoever, not even an acknowledgement of receipt from the Premier League,”
“It’s 19 weeks going on 20.
“What an affront that is to football supporters in general, not just Newcastle.
“Is there something we’re not aware of? Who are the influencers? What decisions have been made?”
“Cut out the disrespect.”
The silence has been unacceptable. Not only are we now FIVE months on from the moment a Staveley-led consortium agreed a £300m deal with Mike Ashley, it’s almost been two weeks since the Saudis withdrew their bid due to the amount of time it was taking to hear a decision from top flight chiefs.
And, in all of this, what have us paying fans heard from the Premier League? Absolutely nothing. Not a jot.
Over 100,000 signing he petition asking for an independent investigation in the EPL’s takeover process, over 7,000 letters sent to MPs and now one of the 40 MPs on board is demanding answers – and willing to take matters into his own hands if the Premier League don’t offer some form of clarity to Newcastle fans.
Let’s keep piling the pressure on.
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Is there a case for referring the Premier League to the Court of Arbitration for sport? There must be a very fine line between a fit and proper person test and blocking a sale with severe potential financial consequences for a club and it’s community.
Ian Pye(Quote)
Withold a couple of payments of subscription to Sky Sports. Sky are the paymasters to the EPL and what they say goes, and if we all did that you can bet your last £ that Sky would be onto it very sharpish. Might seem a bit unfair on them but it’s their money that’s fuelling the EPL’s arrogance. HWTL
Tom W(Quote)
Harsh, yet assuring words from Lavery.
Even if this takeover doesn’t resurface and replenish, at least voices have been raised from higher posts. It’s not just about NUFC any more. Fair play to all who contacted MPs and signed petitions. Football politics is all a load of balls.
Rodzilla(Quote)
Personally, I’d like to see Richard Masters’ face carved into Mount Rushmore.
Rodzilla(Quote)
…although it might take a while.
Rodzilla(Quote)
That’s one of the funniest things I’ve heard in ages!
Everybody is screaming and shouting for the EPL to explain. So they come out and say “there were elements of the Buyers bid that did not comply with the EPLs requirements to move ahead with the purchase, other than that, EPL processes and procedures are, and will remain confidential” or some other similarly vague nonsense. Then what?
You’re all trying to fix the wrong problem.
BykerBill(Quote)
We do need the political clout to try and get some answers.
We need to try everything we can to keep the momentum going.
I am going to send emails to the top ten clubs in the Premier League to try and shame them. Probably won’t work but it will make me feel better.
Then wait a few days and email the top tens local press, may stir something up.
JoeMck & granda(Quote)