Another new week and Newcastle United’s prospective £300m takeover is yet to be done and dusted.
We’ve all been waiting months for the decision, but the Premier League continue to sit on the owners and directors test, which is clearly proving problematic.
And The Athletic have outlined the reasons for the delay in a recent column.
What will happen first?
Takeover announced
19/20 season finished
According to Matt Slater, the PL are struggling to see a way to approve the deal without the Saudi state unblocking access to rival broadcasters beIN Sports, shutting down pirate streaming service beoutQ and opening up its courts.
He said:
“Sources have told The Athletic the crux of the delay is this: the Premier League cannot see a way to sanction the deal without Saudi Arabia unblocking beIN Sports, shutting down beoutQ and opening up its courts.
“It is understood there has been what one source described as significant “back and forth” on this issue, with Newcastle’s prospective new owners, who include British businesswoman Amanda Staveley and UK property developers the Reuben brothers as minority shareholders, sending detailed answers to a fresh batch of questions about beoutQ’s piracy on Wednesday.
“Staveley and her partners in the deal are believed to remain confident they will pass the test and assume control at Newcastle, but nobody can say with any certainty when that will happen.”
This is a rather intriguing explanation but it still doesn’t give us any answers to when we’ll finally be rid of Mike Ashley.
In addition, the names within the consortium aren’t necessarily involved in the aforementioned issues. The Saudi public investment fund, who will claim 80% ownership of the Magpies, is a separate entity to the government and thus, can’t be held accountable for the piracy claims – the Guardian had stated that the World Trade Organisation found the Middle Eastern state behind the service.
Looks like we’re going to have to wait a little longer before the Premier League come to a final decision. Understandably, it’s a complicated process but us Magpies deserve an answer sooner rather than later given the season ticket situation.
AND in other news, Newcastle United could sign 29 y/o dynamo for a discounted price…