Newcastle United fans have been handed a fresh update by ChronicleLive reporter Mark Douglas this week, although it’s a bit of a double-edged sword.
He claims that he’s been told the £300m takeover will go through, but there are now “serious” concerns.
Are you worried the takeover will fall through?
Yes!
No!
Speaking on Twitter in response to one supporter, Douglas said:
Spot on Ally. I feel drained by it lately.
If it's any consolation I still believe – based on what I've been told – it'll go through. But the concerns are serious ones now.
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) June 8, 2020
The final decision on approving the deal has been in the hands of the Premier League for around two months now. Plenty of reports have surfaced in that time which has put everything in doubt.
One claim from the Guardian revealed the World Trade Organisation’s findings into pirate streaming service beoutQ. They believe the Saudi state is behind the illegal broadcast of sporting events, which includes Premier League football.
However, Saudi’s public investment fund – the main benefactor behind the takeover bid – is an entirely separate entity so it’s hard to prove that they are involved in beoutQ – if they even are.
It’s also thought that they would bid for the PL’s TV rights in order to smooth things over too.
‘Project Restart’ and dealing with a global pandemic have also stalled things somewhat, but in reality, it’s now time for an answer especially with a return to action just over a week away.