Labour MP for Newcastle Central Chi Onwurah has revealed the response she has received from Premier League CEO Richard Masters today.
Chi’s initial letter asking for clarity, answers and transparency from the Premier League was issued to the Premier League CEO two weeks following the collapse of an Amanda Stavelely-led bid, and she’s now shared their response in the last few moments.
Masters states that the consortium was offered the prospect of an independent arbitration after the Premier League concluded that PIF and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are not separate entities, but the PIF declined.
He also confirms that the bid WAS withdrawn a fortnight ago and insists that no other Premier League clubs had a say on the matter or objected to the takeover bid, insisting the Owners and Directors test is objective, not subjective.
Read his response in full here:
Sadly, I fear this initially exciting yet painfully prolonged and ultimately exhausting Saudi takeover saga may be over.
That said, no matter what happens next, Newcastle United fans should be proud of their efforts over the past few weeks, with our collective push for answers clearly playing a part here. Without it, who knows if we’d have ever received this level of communication from a man who’s been in hiding for several months.
As Chi states below, it ‘acknowledges the importance of fans and provides some new information’, but does NOT offer the ‘reassurance or transparency’ she believes all Newcastle United fans want.
What do you make of this response from Mr.Masters?
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So, it’s there in black & white.
Now, Mr. Masters, please answer why the PL ‘Board’ did not have an issue passing the Mansour takeover of City even though he is Chairman of the Abu Dhabi state investment fund, Deputy Prime Minister, and a member of the ruling royal family. City is also sponsored by the state airline and the city of Manchester did commercial deals with the state of Abu Dhabi on the back of the football club purchase.
No connection? Really? Give over.
sickandtired(Quote)
Total agreement with sickandtired ,one rule for one, old school tie take your pick masters and pl did not want this takeover to happen, double standards or what ,utter disgrace.
davep(Quote)
At last, he’s spoken.
He’s also passed the ball straight back into Staveley’s court. If that offer of arbitration is still available then the consortium should take it.
I’m also slightly concerned that the PL haven’t even considered the matter of piracy yet. What the hell have they been doing for 17 weeks?
DB(Quote)
I may be wrong, and I’m no business expert, but could the issue here, as far as the PL are concerned, be that the PIF are a ‘Public’ Investment Fund and link directly back to the state, whereas Mansour’s ADUG that bought out Man City is a private equity company?
Rodzilla(Quote)
Pic should be able to (if they want too)
Make hay legally now.
John Lunn(Quote)