Last week the Saudis said they will do everything possible to eliminate Intellectual Property theft in the Kingdom.
That was in response to the damning WTO report, and we thought it was all set for the Premier League (PL) to OK the deal and announce the Newcastle takeover had passed the owners’ and director’s test.
But still nothing and the PL have had the takeover documents since April 9th – over 11 weeks now.
So what are they doing?
The Saudis have invested in BT and say they want to stream the Bundesliga and La Liga games, so they seemed to be doing everything to get into the good books of the Premier League.
They will even bid for the Premier League games in two years time, when the contract that Qatar-based beIN Sports currently have runs out.
Ms. Amanda Staveley – in London last week
The bidding for that starts next year.
Journalist Alan Nixon believes the PL are trying to get more out of the Saudis.
Here’s a tweet from Alan today:
Looks like Premier want Saudis to do a TV deal at their end … all a bit political … get something out of it … nod it through. https://t.co/m8LseI3Qz5
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) June 26, 2020
Not sure how they can do a TV deal now, and it certainly cannot be for the Premier League games.
It has become a circus and a joke that it’s taken so long to come to a decision.
This could only happen to Newcastle.
But three sayings come to mind:
1) All’s well that ends well.
2) No news is good news.
3) Good things come to those who wait.
Nothing new here, but it has gone very quiet of late.
And that’s always a good time to announce something which has been long-standing like this takeover attempt by the Amanda Staveley consortium.
We live in hope.
But the Premier League have looked very weak and indecisive in all of this.
So what’s new?
Loading ...Comments welcome.
41 comments so far
the crown princes nashers
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:10 AM
Comment #1it will happen when it happens, nowt nee one knows that goes for steve wraith as well as every top sports reporters in the whole country, no one knows jack shit about anything bar from the PL. mikey boy and PCP. reuben bros and the saudis end off
the crown princes nashers
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:11 AM
Comment #2ahh its raining its cooled doon its bloody lovely day 🙂 good morning ladies and gents hope all are fit and well
Optimistic prime
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:11 AM
Comment #3Can the Premier league be viewed as a fit n proper organisation if they’re forcing a potential owner to buy a tv rights deal before giving the rubber stamp?
JP...from The Rock
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:12 AM
Comment #4It’s taking way too long.
Optimistic prime
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:12 AM
Comment #5Better than a brown paper bag I suppose
RobLeenio
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:13 AM
Comment #6Jetro is one of those players who improves or team whenever he plays. He also wants to be here and has a great connection with the fans.
Why would anyone say no to that?
It’s a bit like saying you don’t want the club to win a cup.
Kevin Vegan
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:13 AM
Comment #7OP
Where did that theory come from? It sounds qiute farfetched to me!
the crown princes nashers
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:14 AM
Comment #8JP
it will take as long as it takes nowt nee one can dee about it, I thought it would have been announced yesturday but didnt happen
Kevin Vegan
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:16 AM
Comment #9RobLeenio
Long history of serious injuries is my biggest concern. Not only that, but he’ll have missed the last 8 months by the time he returns. We need an LB who’s likely to be fit all season, or we need to sign more than one of them. I don’t think Jetro would br the sensible shout there, as great as he was when he was fit.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:17 AM
Comment #10RE Jetro
Take him on loan with an option to buy to see if his knee holds up to a full season in the PL, seems the sensible way given its his 3rd knee injury by 25yr old.
Would still need another LB in tho, then have Dummett as the backup 3rd choice LB in case we lose jetro.
onmeedsun
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:20 AM
Comment #11Crown Prince.
I am with you on the deal. I think the PL need something concrete from the Saudis that proves they are going to sort the piracy. The delay will only start to compromise the club if it runs into the transfer window. The PL will be conscious of that so I’d expect the green light next week. Happy days ahead!
Ron Knee
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:22 AM
Comment #12Time to deploy Robert Jenrick.
onmeedsun
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:24 AM
Comment #13I hope we play well tomorrow against City and nick a win, but I am conflicted as I don’t want us to win the cup with no fans present. That would be cruel when we’ve waited over 50 years! There wouldn’t even be a victory parade! It just wouldn’t be right.
Kevin Vegan
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:25 AM
Comment #14GP
That’s a decent way around it, but depends on whether Frankfurt are willing to send him on loan again. I don’t think he’s irreplaceable though so why not shop around and find an alternative option without the injury problems?
the crown princes nashers
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:25 AM
Comment #15how many hoops would the PL like the saudis to jump through, I think they have done more then enough to please these bunch of nut jobs, we get all this bullshit news on a constant basis from our so called sports reporters and steve wraith spouting off bullshit what he got online, yeah he sat next to amanda and her hubby doesnt mean hes in the know though does it and like many others they know nowt same as us lot
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:29 AM
Comment #16KV
i think he impressed so much, and seems to really want to be here, that it would be worth the gamble on loan, with another top LB brought in as well.
Worst case scenario is here gets injured and we can send him back to Frankfurt and only have to wait until January to get a replacement in.
would still aim for Saka, tho it sounds like he is getting closer to signing a new deal.
Tackle from behind
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:32 AM
Comment #17Onmeedsun
I feel the same, imagine the fat slugs smug face if we won the cup, don’t want him leaving on a high.
Also don’t want to win the cup at an empty Wembley with added Fifa 2019 crowd noise.
Or even worse, if they allow 5 fans from each side at the “socially distanced cup”
Jib
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:34 AM
Comment #18Robert Jenrick.is a Wolves fan
He probably wants the takeover to fail
JP...from The Rock
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:34 AM
Comment #19Tbh although it is annoying to think that the PL are taking advantage of the situation and forcing the PIF into a PL TV deal, it kinda suits them anyway. If this is all true I believe it was the Saudi’s intention in applying for the PL TV rights. I think they eventually want a monopoly on the TV rights throughout all major football leagues and can outbid anyone.
Ron Knee
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:35 AM
Comment #20‘50% of Roger Federer‘s name is “er”.’
Ron Knee
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:37 AM
Comment #21£12K would probably do the trick, Jib.
Northumbrian
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:37 AM
Comment #22Morning all.
I think its feasible that the pl is asking the Saudis to buy a TV deal, if they pass the deal and they don’t have TV access to games then the piracy still exists. Even though bidding for the prem TV package is next year there is two years to go until beins package runs out, and yes you can view football through bein boxes sold in Saudi Arabia I think the Saudis would like there own stream.
Captain AmeriMag
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:38 AM
Comment #23Not wanting your team to win doesn’t make any sense to me!!
Yes we would prefer (and will very soon have) a better owner, better players more ambition etc and in this case fans at the stadium but once the match starts all I want is Newcastle to win, everything else becomes irrelevant!
#CANS
Sheikh Unknown
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:38 AM
Comment #24For all we know the Prem League process could well be complete but they may well be waiting for the right time to make the announcement. After we’re mathematically safe and/or/if we are out of the FA Cup?
Kevin Vegan
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:39 AM
Comment #25Northumbrian
The PL trying to force the Saudis to buy the TV rights tonget approval would be blackmail. The Saudi lawyers would rip them apart for it.
Kevin Vegan
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:40 AM
Comment #26*to get
geordietom
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:40 AM
Comment #27if the Saudi’s are gonna bid on the tv rights surely they will blow all other bids out of the water …
Captain AmeriMag
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:41 AM
Comment #28@JP I agree entirely. It’s a frustrating wait at the moment but if Saudi end up owning us and the premier league rights we will be in an amazing position for the long term future.
Look at the lengths the PL have gone to protect Bein, we will be the richest club in the world and the most favoured by the premier league by a mile.
Want to take a bet we win a few more penalties in the future!!
😀
#CANS
Jib
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:41 AM
Comment #29Ron
I’ve got a spare tenner
You got £11990 ?
ScoopSouthAfrica
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:42 AM
Comment #30Procrastination….
So,
Deferment / Postponement / Stalling / Delay / Putting Off / Adjournment
Richard Keys / Andy Gray
Just some of definitions of procrastination, what are the EPL up to.
Man, if they do not want to give approval then just say so, this is getting so worse than the lockdown I am getting frustrated for them to move on to the next stage.
If it is true and the bid has lost exclusivity and ultimately maybe approval, then it will be dragging on for another month or two for any new bidders that fancy their chances with MA.
So…………………. signing………………off…………….
The gaps are procrastination pauses LOL.
Northumbrian
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:42 AM
Comment #31KV so would you expect the Saudis to prefer to buy a package from bein or the prem?.
geordietom
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:43 AM
Comment #32who’s to say they wont announce it on BB1 tomorrow after the match , world wide audience …
Captain AmeriMag
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:45 AM
Comment #33Also on Jetro I agree with Gothmog’s, get him back on loan with an option to buy.
He obviously loves it here and looks a machine in the way he is rehabbing.
Get him to bring his mate Gini back with him, I’d have him in our midfield again no worries.
#CANS
Kevin Vegan
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:45 AM
Comment #34Northumbrian
I don’t really think it matters. Forcing buyers to purchase TV rights if they want to buy a team is not part of the O+D tests and never has been. They couldn’t legally enforce this and if they tried to force the Saudi government’s hand they will get torn a few new openings.
geordietom
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:47 AM
Comment #35bus ….
jasper
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:49 AM
Comment #36Onmeedsun one of the few talking sense.
The PL want to pin the Saudis down over piracy.
The money involved in the Middle East broadcast rights is substantial. The Saudis’ turning a blind eye to the piracy will have degraded the value of the rights and hence the income to the PL. I am sure this has been really irritating to the PL and other leagues for years.
The NUFC fit and proper application is a one off opportunity to lance this boil. But the PL get only one shot at this. Once they have shown the green light to the application there is no going back. They can hardly kick them (and us) out of the league once the Saudis have their feet under the table.
I am sure that there has been a lot of haggling going on behind closed doors The PL want to find a formula that pins the Saudis down, which they cannot wriggle out of when and if it suits them. This cannot be easy.
Nicky the ball tosser
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:53 AM
Comment #37If he plays 4 at the back he needs to have both centre mids sit, and all the attackers to track back, all day long, maintaining a compact and compressed defensive shape that City’ll have to work really hard to break down.
Can’t see us stretching the play in this one at all.
We’ll drop off and counter, and probably try to hold out for pens. 🙂
Could be our best bet, although Debruyne’d probably bust the net with his.
Northumbrian
Jun 27, 2020 at 10:53 AM
Comment #38KV did I say force?? Er no I said ask.
The prem know the issues between Qatar and ksa and the problems that arose with piracy. the prem are stuck between a new owner who in my opinion they would prefer and a partner who has the existing package so asking the Saudis about the purchase of their own stream would be a sensible option for all three parties.
cyprus
Jun 27, 2020 at 11:25 AM
Comment #39Both Bruces (Steve and Springsteen) are looking for their respective miracles. We’ll need a small one tomorrow. Lots of luck sprinkled with a game of the season performance by everyone!
Will it happen? Probably not. Can it happen? Sure.
mactoon
Jun 27, 2020 at 11:28 AM
Comment #40@Northumbrian “asking the Saudis about the purchase of their own stream would be a sensible option for all three parties”
True but it shouldn’t be used as an excuse to delay the owners’ test, if it is that it beyond the league’s remit. It is far past time the premier league had an independent regulator to ensure they applied their rules fairly and in a timeous manner. Man city takeover was done in a matter of days yet this has taken months. Something is wrong there and it needs to be looked into and the league held accountable.