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
Asi Fish
Jun 7, 2020 at 2:55 PM
Comment #161WLtoon – watch the Harry Enfield sketch of old footballers vs new, it proper takes the mickey out of that perception of the game years ago 🙂
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 2:56 PM
Comment #162wynsleap
Spot on, total common sense
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 2:56 PM
Comment #163Speaking of Awol
I’ve not seen catchy in norway since I came back.
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 2:58 PM
Comment #164Asi Fish,
Haha, yep, ive seen that, hilarious, but true.
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 2:59 PM
Comment #165@WT – who is winning in the England match?
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:03 PM
Comment #166archaeomag,
Its 1-1 atm. Its on Ch4 m8
Northumbrian
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:04 PM
Comment #167They think its in colour!!!!!! It is now.
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:06 PM
Comment #168I thought they were showing the whole game in colour but its just the goal replays that is colour, i don,t get that .
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:07 PM
Comment #169Ok – thanks I’m on BBC1 – let me know who wins
Northumbrian
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:09 PM
Comment #170Archaeomag its a rerun of the 66 world cup final,surely you know who won?
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:10 PM
Comment #171archaeomag.
You are joking right?
Northumbrian
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:11 PM
Comment #172WL it would be better without the two talking at the side of the screen though.
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:12 PM
Comment #173No I was playing on the railway at Riding Mil with my mate Andrew that day, I do remember that, and then we went to shop and got some bubble gum; great days.
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:13 PM
Comment #174Wales have just conceded on BBC1 but I am still cautiously optimistic
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:15 PM
Comment #175Northumbrian
Yeah its spoiling the coverage m8.
carltoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:16 PM
Comment #176Ooh she’s gone to annoy someone else, god help them, only joking Jane, 🙂
Asi Fish
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:16 PM
Comment #177This takeover may be considered to be small beer compared to their other purchases but surely the buying of NUFC is a more strategic move if we are to believe it is all part of the Saudi rebrand.
To own a club such as Newcastle United would surely fit the sports washing model – a well know, super supported club that could be turned into a European power house (over time) upsetting the elite and gaining positive press for on field rather than the off field news dirt machine we currently are. Massively promoting football back home, gaining praise for money influx at such a crucial time and possibly providing legal football broadcast in some areas.
Not sure why we deserve so much attention and grief when WWE, boxing, golf etc. all get away with it?
Will US owners get grief due to their human rights issues?
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:18 PM
Comment #178He says the tension is becoming unbearable, not as unbearable as waiting for this damned takeover 🙂
carltoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:18 PM
Comment #179Remember watching it on a small TV screen, whilst my parents where on a bus trip,
Asi Fish
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:19 PM
Comment #180Always truth in jest Carltoon 🙂
carltoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:20 PM
Comment #181Asi fish that’s far too sensible, why don’t they just put us out of our misery
Zele
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:21 PM
Comment #182I’m watching Union Berlin v Schalke where the ground’s tannoy are playing crowd noises in the empty stadium and it sorts of works.
It’s similar to watching Boro with its empty stands.
carltoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:22 PM
Comment #183Asi , I don’t want her to take pot shots at me I’m old 🙂
carltoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:25 PM
Comment #184Christ, they’ve equalised, nowt changes. Don’t let it go to penalties.
Northumbrian
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:27 PM
Comment #185Zele what’s the score it that match?
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:28 PM
Comment #186Very disappointed to concede
Great Game
great conceit
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:28 PM
Comment #187Is Caulkin still onside with the takeover? hav,nt heard from him for quite a while.
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:30 PM
Comment #188It is bit like a YouTube reaction video . .. first time viewing 1966
carltoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:34 PM
Comment #189First time I’ve watched it all the way through since it actually happened, thank god I know the score, and having drunk half bottle wine, don’t care about the outcome anyway. 🙂
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:36 PM
Comment #190@WT it’s still raining here I doubt anyone is outside today
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:37 PM
Comment #191. . .and the adverts were in Colour
WLtoon
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:41 PM
Comment #192archaeomag
You have totally lost me now.
Asi Fish
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:42 PM
Comment #193Carltoon – hopefully they will put us out of our misery soon but in a good way 🙂
I skip jane’s posts as she is more confusing than Bladey’s ins & outs ha ha
Northumbrian
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:46 PM
Comment #194I’m loving bobby’s cowlick it reminds me of an old teacher.
archaeomag
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:48 PM
Comment #195@WT
Sorry M8
I am just punning and being today’s funster, japester & blog fool, although feel free to call me something else.
I think we all share that – Did my lottery ticket numbers just come up feeling – the bit when you can’t remember where you put the ticket . . .
Zele
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:48 PM
Comment #196Northumbrian,
1-1
DONEGAL NUFC IRL
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:51 PM
Comment #197I must say I like the fan’s noise the German’s put on their football matches
Asi Fish
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:51 PM
Comment #198Aye archaeomag – that feeling when you find a £5 note in your crumpled jeans but then realise you have lost your wallet…..
Hopefully the wallet / lottery ticket will turn up soon!!!!!!
Asi Fish
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:55 PM
Comment #199Right, onto Hobgoblin IPA now with Hot Mustard Pork (double cooked) Crackling……
No idea what is on tv these days as looking after the puppy but I am confident, and will remain confident that he will be fully house trained by the time football resumes.
DONEGAL NUFC IRL
Jun 7, 2020 at 3:59 PM
Comment #200Asi fish
I’m trying that too but with my wee two year old girl lol