The WTO report was released yesterday and the good thing is that the takeover of Newcastle United and the Saudi Public Investment Fund were not even mentioned.
While the WTO did condemn the Saudi government for not doing all they legally could to stop the pirate station beoutQ from stealing the Premier League games from beIN Sports, they were not totally complicit in them.
This is better than we had hoped for, because there was not a direct link to the Saudi government, although we admit it’s all very murky.
In our opinion, this doesn’t stretch to be a legal barrier to the Newcastle takeover and we would expect the Premier League to soon bless the acquisition.
Here are some tweets from journalists that support that view:
In a nutshell, WTO report concludes that beoutQ piracy occurred within Saudi Arabia and was facilitated by actors within Saudi Arabia. However, perhaps crucially, it fails to level direct accusations against Saudi Arabian state and fails to mention either #NUFC or the Saudi PIF.
— Scott Wilson (@Scottwilsonecho) June 16, 2020
My personal opinion. And please, I’m not an expert in these matters. I’m really just a football and sports man. This has all turned into politics. That said, I’d say the #nufc takeover looks far more likely to pass PL tests than fail? From what I understand about the test. ????????? https://t.co/KevDb10E05
— Pete Graves (@PeteGravesTV) June 16, 2020
However, it is also rather odd that Henry Mauriss has just put in an official bid of £350M to buy the club and he wants to move quickly so that he is the owner of Newcastle as soon as possible.
Maybe he knows something others don’t – and it suggests the Saudi-backed bid may be turned down.
It’s all very confusing but we think Amanda Staveley (shown above) will become the new CEO of Newcastle very soon.
And there’s nothing to stop the Premier League from making their decision on the Saudi-backed bid: they have taken long enough.
But one thing seems certain – Mike Ashley is on his way out of Newcastle – and hopefully, before the summer transfer window opens up.
Have we said this could only happen to Newcastle?
Comments welcome.
50 comments so far
Spellcheck
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:39 AM
Comment #1Please get it done
geordietom
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Comment #2Today I donated my watch, phone, and £500 to a poor guy. You wouldn’t believe the happiness I felt as he slid the pistol back into his pocket.
Zele
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:41 AM
Comment #3geordietom,
It only started today for me too.
A real pain.
I’ve noticed (as I’ve never been asked) whether I would or would not accept this websites cookies. I understand it’s an EU legal requirement.
Perhaps someone knows more.
geordietom
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:42 AM
Comment #43 construction workers where sitting on the bridge that they where building having their lunch break. The first guy says “If I get a vegimite sandwich again I am going to jump off this bridge.” The second guys says “If get a peanut butter sandwich again I am going to jump off this bridge”. The third guy says if I get another strawberry jam sandwich then I am going to jump off this bridge.” The next day the first guy gets a vegimite sandwich, the second guy gets a peanut butter sandwich and the third guy gets a strawberry jam sandwich. All 3 guys jump of the bridge and die. The next day at their funerals the first wife says “If he just told me I would have given him a different sandwich.” The second guys wife says “It is all my fault. If only I knew.” The third wife says “I don’t get it, he makes his own lunch.”
geordietom
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:43 AM
Comment #5Zele …
i got rid of my browsing data seems to have done the trick …
Captain AmeriMag
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:44 AM
Comment #6That’s the spirit Ed!!
Don’t listen to the negative clickbait bollicks floating around boys, Wor Mandy is heading to the Toon!
No doubt about it!!
#CANS
Zele
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:49 AM
Comment #7Ed,
The WTO report didn’t mention the takeover of Newcastle United and the Saudi Public Investment Fund because the investigation and report was about the illegal broadcasting of intellectual property rights by a Saudi company in Saudi Arabia.
It’s down to the Premier League to determine whether the findings of the WTO have any bearing on their ‘fit and proper test’.
barkel
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:49 AM
Comment #8Captain AmeriMag to the rescue!!
Zele
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:50 AM
Comment #9geordietom,
Cheers, I will do that.
WLtoon
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:51 AM
Comment #10I`le give this takeover til Friday, if it is`nt announced then i`m off the positivity bus , its not looking good imo, what are the PL waiting for now ffs.
11 weeks , come on, who is taking the pish here?
The WTO report has made no difference at all, they new what was in it, so no nasty new surprises to scrutinise.
Red Rose summed it up yesterday. it took her 2 hours to read the report and there were NO reasons in it to fail the O&D test, her barrister boyfriend said the same, So, wtf is the delay.
Friday is more than long enough now to announce the deal, or its down the pan.
Mund
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:55 AM
Comment #11WLtoon
w
Mund
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Comment #12Sorry phone is messed up
WLtoon
Even the frog has a longer timeline and that says everything.
Don’t give up mate hang on
WLtoon
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:58 AM
Comment #13Are there 2 games on today? For some reason i`ve got Man City in my head
wynsleap
Jun 17, 2020 at 11:59 AM
Comment #14Ed – Mauriss knows nowt. How can he when it is supposed to be all done in secret?
It is just another ploy by Ashley and/or the media to muddy the waters. It is now time for the Premier League to show some guts, stop sitting on the fence in the hope it just all blows over. What a bloody cowardly bunch.
They should all be removed from their employment.
WLtoon
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:00 PM
Comment #15Its ok, just checked, Man City v Arsenal is on later.
NUFC FOR SALE
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:00 PM
Comment #16Bein trying to put pressure of PL.
They just need to do what that Italian league did when they threatened the same thing for allowing cup matches to be played in SA……jog on Bein
Bein think because they were lucky enough to win tv rights that they can threaten everyone to prevent SA getting a foothold in football.
Sure SA will be more than willing to take over tour middle east tv rights if you pull out.
ThirdStripeBlack
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:01 PM
Comment #17Zele,
My thoughts exactly. Why is it good news that a report that has nothing to do with our club, didnt mention our club.
I got caught stealing when I was 12. My parents didn’t mention Sunderland during my sentencing. Is it good news for The Great Unwashed that they didnt mention them?
I smell disappointment.
Jib
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Comment #18wynsleap
Explain why Ashley would want to muddy the waters
Anglo Saxon
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Comment #19The pressure is aggravating and the clickbait garbage being printed is not helping, please STOP.
Bambams
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Comment #20I do not believe for one minute there is a bid of £350 million !
This happens to come out just after the WTO report and it fails to prove PIF is involved in any piracy.
There is nothing to stop the takeover, the PL tests do not include ‘Because we dont like you’ clauses.
I wonder if Qatar are behind this USA bid for an extra £50 million above the already agreed £300 million, just to sway the PL from accepting the Saudi takeover.
No wonder the WTO report did not find it’s way to the French Courts, there is no new evidence in there.
In my opinion
🙂
Zele
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:03 PM
Comment #21WLtoon,
Football, what’s that.
Kevin Vegan
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:05 PM
Comment #22Jib,
It’s been a good excuse to keep quiet on season ticket refunds, for one thing. Helps shift season tickets for next season, too.
Kevin Vegan
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Comment #23Anglo
Are you feeling alright? You’re almost starting to sound like me 😉
Mund
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:08 PM
Comment #24The journos have ran out of stuff to throw now and surely a sign it’s close.
First we had human rights thrown at us then it was Khashoggi’s widow which was suspect, also hairy hands was trying his best as well and finally was the piracy issue with the WTO report….all have passed now and have no influence on the outcome of the deal.
Clutching at straws they are
Rotonda heights
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:09 PM
Comment #25Ed
”But one thing seems certain – Mike Ashley is on his way out of Newcastle”
Hope those aren’t famous last words
geordietom
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:09 PM
Comment #26i dont believe there’s another bid WHY would you bid £50 million more than the bid that’s been accepted , pure unadulterated rubbish imo …
Mund
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:11 PM
Comment #27Guillem Balague
“The new Newcastle, when everything gets confirmed and I expect it to be confirmed to be honest from everything I am reading and from everything I am hearing,” Balague said.
“From what I have been asking, the consensus is that the Premier League will given approval and accept the bid. If that is the case, then Newcastle are about to enter a new era.”
Kevin Vegan
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:11 PM
Comment #28ThirdStripeBlack and Zele,
We’ll be told it’s “good news” because that’s what sells. A headline that says “WTO report sheds no light on NUFC takeover and we’re all still just guessing” doesn’t tend to attract readers the same was a headline like “NUFC in jeopardy after WTO rules against Saudis” or “NUFC takeover nearing completion as WTO finds no reason to block sale”.
It’s about telling “selective truths” (aka total bulls***) to keep the clicks rolling in.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:12 PM
Comment #29Tom
Tbh id guess its PIF with 300m up front or HM with 350m in installments, that would kinda make sense, discount for cash etc.
though dont believe any of it.
DaveD1000
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:15 PM
Comment #30All BBC And Amazon Prime fixtures are free to air, along with selected Sky Sports games that will be shown on Pick. All kick-off times are BST.
Wednesday, 17 June: Aston Villa v Sheffield United (18:00), Sky Sports. Manchester City v Arsenal (20:15), Sky Sports.
Friday, 19 June: Norwich v Southampton (18:00), Sky Sports and Pick. Tottenham v Manchester United (20:15), Sky Sports.
Saturday, 20 June: Watford v Leicester City (12:30), BT Sport. Brighton v Arsenal (15:00), BT Sport. West Ham v Wolves (17:30), Sky Sports. Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (19:45), BBC.
Sunday, 21 June: Newcastle v Sheffield United (14:00), Sky Sports and Pick. Aston Villa v Chelsea (16:15), Sky Sports. Everton v Liverpool (19:00), Sky Sports and Pick.
Monday, 22 June: Manchester City v Burnley (20:00), Sky Sports.
Tuesday, 23 June: Leicester v Brighton (18:00), Sky Sports. Tottenham v West Ham (20:15), Sky Sports.
Wednesday, 24 June: Manchester United v Sheffield United (18:00), Sky Sports and Pick. Newcastle v Aston Villa (18:00), BT Sport. Norwich v Everton (18:00), BBC. Wolves v Bournemouth (18:00), BT Sport. Liverpool v Crystal Palace (20:15), Sky Sports.
Thursday, 25 June: Burnley v Watford (18:00), Sky Sports and Pick. Southampton v Arsenal (18:00), Sky Sports. Chelsea v Manchester (20:15), BT Sport.
Saturday, 27 June: Aston Villa v Wolves (12:30), BT Sport.
Sunday, 28 June: Watford v Southampton (16:30), Sky Sports and Pick.
Monday, 29 June: Crystal Palace v Burnley (20:00), Amazon Prime.
Tuesday, 30 June: Brighton v Manchester United (20:15), Sky Sports and Pick.
Wednesday, 1 July: Bournemouth v Newcastle (18:00), Sky Sports and Pick. Arsenal v Norwich (18:00), BT Sport. Everton v Leicester (18:00), Sky Sports. West Ham v Chelsea (20:15), Sky Sports.
Thursday, 2 July: Sheffield United v Tottenham (18:00), Sky Sports. Manchester City v Liverpool (20:15), Sky Sports.
giimps
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:16 PM
Comment #31What takeover, there hasn’t even been a bid?
geordietom
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:16 PM
Comment #32Some ‘breaking news’ has emerged from Sky Sports in the last few moments, claiming a £350m takeover bid has now arrived from a US consortium led by Henry Mauriss.
These claims have since been backed up by The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, The Mail’s Craig Hope and The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, suggesting this could well be Mike Ashley’s ‘back-up’ option should a Saudi bid get blocked.
Interest from Mauriss, the CEO of US TV company Clear TV, has been described as ‘genuine’, however one thing doesn’t add up – why would he bid £350m when a £300m bid has already been accepted by Mike Ashley?
Is there a bidding war we don’t know about? Even if there is, Mauriss bid will mean absolutely nothing if the Saudis do receive approval from the Premier League.
I’m sceptical given it’s £50m more (for no apparent reason?), coupled with the fact we know so little of Mauriss, but this new ‘bid’ could be beneficial in two ways. 1. It may help speed up the Premier League’s decision regarding a Saudi bid and 2. it at least offers a back-up plan should the Saudis be rejected – not that this currently appeals in comparison…
Sky Sports News claim Mauriss ‘would prefer the takeover to happen before the start of the 2020/21 season‘, but I don’t think anyone has the appetite for yet another takeover saga.
Mund
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Comment #33Tom
It’s a non starter mate
Zele
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Comment #34KV,
Very true.
geordietom
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Comment #35Gothmog’s Pyjamas…
i dont believe it mate i’m confident and not wavering about the Saudi’s getting our club …
geordietom
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Comment #36Mund …
as i said its B/S mate …
Kevin Vegan
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:20 PM
Comment #37WL
Yes mate 2 games tonight.
Villa vs Sheff U at 18:00
City vs Arsenal at 20:15
My money’s on Sheff U and City to win. Arsenal got hammered by city at their end but they looked a better side after January to me so could give them a fight, but I think city will be too strong for them.
I think everyone’s worked Villa out now: stop Graelish and you’ve basically stopped the whole team. Can’t see them winning that one or anything much between now and the close of play.
Zele
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:20 PM
Comment #38geordietom,
Journalists copy, change and paste what other journalists say so because three say the same thing doesn’t mean it’s true.
giimps
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:21 PM
Comment #39According to Henry Winter, the bid from Mauriss is genuine but there is also another American consortium waiting in the wings in case this Saudi bid fails, he said if the Saudi bid fails, the American consortium would show their hand (Not Mauriss) interesting take on things
Mund
Jun 17, 2020 at 12:21 PM
Comment #40Aye just get a bloody move on mate