Yesterday was a bit of a dour news day concerning the takeover of Newcastle United. The BBC reported that Premier League chief Richard Masters responded back to Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In his letter back to Cengiz, Masters assured her that the league was fully considering her concerns in their approval process.
This development was compound by a report from the Financial Times. It reveals that Masters has also recently met with beIN executives who are lobbying the league to block the takeover on broadcast claims.
Then there’s an exclusive in the Independent that 16 MPs and peers have written to the government expressing concerns with the Saudi involvement in the Premier League.
Thankfully, the government thus far has remained neutral in the process.
Today the Mail’s Helen Cahill is reporting that Saudi Arabia is working to send an olive branch to Qatar over the alleged broadcast piracy.
This is what Cahill writes in her report.
Saudi Arabia is set to work out a peace deal over TV rights with Qatar amid fears the row could scupper the takeover of Newcastle.
Sources close to negotiations have told The Mail on Sunday that the Saudi wealth fund bidding for the club have pledged to use their influence in government to open talks between the two nations after Qatari broadcaster BeIN Sports threatened to derail the £300million deal over claims of TV piracy.
We still believe the Premier League will approve this takeover because this consortium meets the requirements outlined in its guidelines.
The league is being ultra-cautious and as thorough as possible by giving credence to every call to block this takeover. This is probably a wise decision on their part.
This whole process has been infected with politics.
The Premier League should not cower to the pressure being applied. They must remain committed to the rules and regulations they have put in place for the owners’ and directors’ tests.
326 comments so far
the crown princes nashers
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:11 PM
Comment #81if they wish to go down the terrorist funding then theres george soros and co, I take everything thats been said with a pinch of salt really, the co means every single country in the world funds terrorists, black lives matter ie george soros with palets of bricks dropped off in streets to use we can all see it, if the PL wishes to carry on to find any excuse then they best have as much as saudi for compenstation claims
Zele
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:11 PM
Comment #82Optimistic,
Under normal circumstances I would think a buyer would be hesitant about committing to such a large purchase when in a couple of weeks of bad results could result in his investment being slashed and losing the prestige of being in the Premier League and its worldwide audience.
Optimistic prime
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:13 PM
Comment #83WL
It would be nice to get 4 points in first 2 games and put relegation doubts firmly out the mind.
The best chance of seeing the best from those players you mentioned would be to play them in their best position in a formation with tactics to suit.
Ain’t seen it yet, won’t hold my breath whilst Mrs Doubtfire is in charge.
The Hit Man & Her
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:14 PM
Comment #84Jane I’ve always said that you probably didn’t register it when I said so because you were busy turning the porch light on at 59% brightness.
I’ve just preferred to be optimistic about Ashley going, the fans deserve rid of the mud dwelling behemoth.
the crown princes nashers
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:14 PM
Comment #85zele
300m is nothing compaired to how much saudi has paid to other companies to take them over its petty cash to them
geordietom
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:15 PM
Comment #86Two Marijuana dispensaries created a merger deal, becoming one.
To be blunt, the stakes were high, but they were hopeful as it was a joint venture…
anglo better …
the crown princes nashers
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:16 PM
Comment #87relegation doesnt really matter your out the top league for 1 season big deal soon get back with the best squad to walk the league
Optimistic prime
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Comment #88Zele
I agree but its unusual times.
If they’re in it for the long term the idea of religation must have been discussed.
Jib
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:18 PM
Comment #89Tom just post the link and save time
https://parade.com/1040121/marynliles/one-liners/
Jib
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:18 PM
Comment #90and ink
😀
Anglo Saxon
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:19 PM
Comment #91tom 50/50
The Hit Man & Her
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:23 PM
Comment #92If Tom has got the “old ones are the best” joke book by my reckoning we have another 380 odd to endure….
😐
Zele
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:23 PM
Comment #93the crown princes nashers,
I made the point of saying ‘normal circumstances’.
I think the involvement of the Saudis is anything but normal.
I think money is not necessarily an issue, not with Saudis but maybe with the others it is.
I suspect being in the Premier League competing on the world stage against the big boys is what’s important for the Saudis. Being in the Championship would be a ‘no no’.
Anglo Saxon
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:24 PM
Comment #94Jail from Jib.
Most people are shocked when they find out how bad I am as an electrician.
geordietom
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:25 PM
Comment #95sorry lads but i’ve got like over a thousand more to put on 😉
Munster Mag
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:26 PM
Comment #96Where are we? I’m with Caulkin, more questions being answered and I think Masters is addressing issues. None of us know if the deal is predicated on survival so that may be another issue, in terms of delay. We need some wins, soon, two please.
geordietom
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:27 PM
Comment #97jib …
knar mate thats the lazy way dont get mine from there, sticks tongue out emoji…
Anglo Saxon
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:28 PM
Comment #98Tom, think I’m about too slit my wrists.
geordietom
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:28 PM
Comment #99i’ll be glad when we can see wor team playing again …
geordietom
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:29 PM
Comment #100anglo …
ive got a help line number if you want it mate …
hibbit
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:29 PM
Comment #101Helen Cahill normally the Times business and finance reporter, not seen here comment on football matters before but i have read some scathing articles she’s written about SD the Frasers Group and Ashley ,
Zele
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:30 PM
Comment #102Optimistic,
I agree, relegation must have been discussed.
Surely the asking price is based to a large degree on the club’s position in the PL and the assessment before Covid 19 that we would continue in the same league given our fixture list.
But now the uncertainty of playing behind closed doors must have raised major concerns unless the Saudis have such a long term plan that they can cope with relegation.
Anglo Saxon
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:30 PM
Comment #103Hey, Cavalry arrived got to go shopping. enjoy the jokes.
Moonraker15
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:33 PM
Comment #104Gothmog
Good link about Amanda!
She’s quite a girl isn’t she? High flyer or what! She dodged a bullet with Prince Andrew like; not many girls turn down the Queen’s fav son either!
She deserves to clinch this deal after fat man landed her a tyre kicker!
hibbit
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:34 PM
Comment #105Hit Man my sincere apologies for my outburst last night , i read a comment which i wrongly thought was aimed at me, once again my sincere apologies
The Hit Man & Her
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:41 PM
Comment #106Hibbit nee probs I was totally confused about it but that’s nowt new 😀
AncientC
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:43 PM
Comment #107So what’s new with the takeover then? Will it happen, won’t it happen? I can hardly contain my excitement any more. #Cans on the morrow.
I will be glad to see physical/reality-existent football back; I’ve had enough of being sold daydreams. The last few months have been excruciating on the footballing front.
Mund
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:48 PM
Comment #108OP
In my opinion what I know of Ashley during these years is he won’t just sit there and wait to see if we get relegated or not to determine if we will be sold. There’s not a chance of that mate. His feet will be itching now he won’t want to wait longer.
AncientC
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:49 PM
Comment #109“Sources close to negotiations have told The Mail on Sunday that the Saudi wealth fund bidding for the club have pledged to use their influence in government to open talks between the two nations after Qatari broadcaster BeIN Sports threatened to derail the £300million deal over claims of TV piracy.”
You have to laugh at some of these claims. The Saudis are going to reach out to the Qataris, and also throw £50 million on top of anything the Qataris are offering for TV rights—and all to get the Newcastle deal done.
Maybe we can get peace in the Middle East to get the deal over the line.
Bills Son Is Back
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:52 PM
Comment #110Nobody knows anything…
It’s all speculation…
etc., etc., .,
NOT TRUE.
The BBC have sen a letter from the PL to Hatice Cengiz confirming that her views will be taken into consideration in the approval decision.
So….
Fact – a deal has been agreed between Ashley and the consortium.
Fact – the deal is going through the approval process.
Fact – it is not a fakeover, PR stunt or any other conspiracy.
All of this may be obvious to most fans…
But some just don’t seem to get the obvious.
ilovetoon8788
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:53 PM
Comment #111The legal team of Henry Mauriss, the rival bidder for #nufc, last night said he could complete the Premier League’s Owner’s and Director’s test “in less than three weeks.” [Mirror]’
=====
i’d rather have Henry Mauriss takeover us and get it done and over with. instead of the saudi with no end so far.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:53 PM
Comment #112More Henry Mauriss crap out there, reckons he could pass the test in 3 weeks.
steer clear of this guy.
hibbit
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:54 PM
Comment #113“Maybe we can get peace in the Middle East to get the deal over the line”.
AC that’s not been suggested yet but i’m sure some hack reading the blog will have it in print by tomorrow
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:54 PM
Comment #114Thats the third time today iv posted the saem stuff at the same time as someone else….
Mund
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:55 PM
Comment #115I said a while ago and others have said the same.
The Premier league will not want to look like they haven’t gone through this deal without a fine tooth comb and they had to get Project Restart away first or more scrutiny will of been thrown at them.
With the news that they were meeting the week just gone it looks like to me they are ironing out the last bits as most of the heavy stuff has been done and hopefully the week coming will be the week that will change our life’s forever.
#cans
jane
Jun 7, 2020 at 1:59 PM
Comment #116“Fact – a deal has been agreed between Ashley and the consortium.”
no evidence
“Fact – the deal is going through the approval process.”
no evidence
“Fact – it is not a fakeover, PR stunt or any other conspiracy.”
that maybe true
Mund
Jun 7, 2020 at 2:01 PM
Comment #117Jane
You say no evidence?? That baffles me
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 2:03 PM
Comment #118**** + **
Questions arising
Is the club purchase now part of wider Middle East peace deal?
Is Jared Kushner involved?
Which local journalists would you like to disappear?
Will Women be allowed to Drink at The Aramco Stadium?
Will Pochettino play Gareth Bale on the left with Mo Salah?
Can you Zoom a crowd to a big screen?
.. there is so much to talk about
jane
Jun 7, 2020 at 2:07 PM
Comment #119“You say no evidence?? That baffles me”
i mean apart from what journalists have said.
Mund
Jun 7, 2020 at 2:09 PM
Comment #120I give up shouldn’t of started defo not on a Sunday