Neil reported this morning on the startling report by the Mail’s Martin Samuel that the only reason the Newcastle takeover was put in limbo by the Premier League and had the consortium pull out of the deal was to do with the actions previous Saudi owner of Portsmouth.
If this report is true, no wonder the Premier League don’t want to comment on what happened, because their reason seems illegal and certainly not part of their owners’ and directors’ test.
Samuel cites the actions former-Portsmouth owner Ali al-Faraj, a Saudi, who owned Pompey for just 4 months back in 2009-2010, as the sole reason the takeover was held in abeyance.
The Mail report is that the Premier League could never get a good answer from the consortium as to who would run the club.
He goes on to blame the consortium and says it’s not the fault of pl CEO Richard Masters, although he is taking the heat for the failure of the takeover not going through.
From what we can tell, this is really a very soft and artificial reason why the takeover could not be passed.
And once again, it seems the takeover did not fail anything in the current owners’ and directors; test, which is why the consortium remained so confident of success, during the four months Premier League were dragging their feet.
From a Newcastle fans’ point of view, this is all an absolute disgrace, and we still fault the Premier League and Richard Masters.
It looks like it took them four months to find something they could use to at least delay the takeover bid indefinitely, and then have the Amanda Staveley consortium pull out of the deal.
That let them off the hook, and they didn’t have to even make a decision.
Phew – that was close.
Notice they didn’t turn it down, since we think they had nothing tangible and valid from their owners’ and directors’ test to do that.
But this is a different view from what Martin Samuel writes in the Mail – he puts all the blame on the consortium – and we disagree – from what we know now.
If it’s true, surely the consortium can come to some agreement about who will run the Newcastle club?
Something that will satisfy the Premier League.
It’s like saying that if an Englishman screws up the ownership of a Premier League club (and there have been many) then block any other Englishman from becoming an owner.
Peter Ridsdale of Leeds United is one good example.
It seems to us – again from what we know – that the Premier League have played dirty pool on Newcastle United, the great City of Newcastle Upon Tyne, the Geordie fans and the northeast region in general.
Did we say it’s a complete disgrace?
Here’s the petition to get an independent review of the EPL Takeover process – please sign it – thanks.
What do you think about all of this?
58 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Aug 14, 2020 at 10:58 AM
Comment #1Is Tony Blair still in disgrace, he’s a toon fan.
Mund
Aug 14, 2020 at 10:58 AM
Comment #2Munster
You are right but I won’t have someone thinking they have some self importance online, it’s pathetic. He talks about real life but he cares only about his online profile.
Would it surprise you Munster that jail gave no help to others on twitter from the blog? I retweeted one of his once and never got anything back. The rest of us retweet each other’s to keep it relevant and keep the pressure up but he only cares how many retweets his own tweets get.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:00 AM
Comment #3PL wanted KSA as director instead of PiF so they could reject the takeover on piracy grounds as KSA linked to the piracy but PiF isnt.
Consortium said no(imo they saw what the PL were going to do), this is the deal, now decide to accept or reject it. No reason in the PL’s own tests to reject it based on PiF being on board.
PL chose to not make a decision and leave it until the buyers got bored and walked away.
In a nutshell.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:01 AM
Comment #4For 19 years old Matty looked promising and its going to be a gutter to see him go elsewhere
I have seen plenty of kids at the Toon come on and look like they don’t know what they were doing (Campbell , Armstong etc) but this boy was holding his own in a 2 man midfield in games despite being outnumbered!
Gets forward at every opportunity to get on the end of chances that is a rarity in the modern midfielder who just want to pass sideways and backwards
Like Sean I think both would benefit playing in a midfield 3 encouraged to press high and take shots at goal
Mund
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:02 AM
Comment #5GP
Defo in a nutshell that mate. It was the only way the premier league could find a way to reject the deal.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:05 AM
Comment #6I never gave anyone any help on twitter. Wtf are you on about you fruitcake. Do you honestly think I sit by my computer 24/7 give it a rest man and get yourself sorted out.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:09 AM
Comment #7Willian to Arsenal on a free.
captainmarvel
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:11 AM
Comment #8GP and Mund,
Therefore if that is the case why doesn’t the PIF come out and say so.. Its seems very plausible, I think it would add to the pressure on the conspirators who are as they appear not as straight as they portray themselves….
AncientC
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:12 AM
Comment #9Matty Longstaff on 20+k per week would be a luxury. I think Bruce needs to be thinking about a relegation battle next season; a player like Ritchie or Shelvey, you can see exactly what kind of points they will put on the league board.
Two of the teams promoted to the PL mean business next season. I hate to say it, but the club just isn’t in a position to blood in younger players right now – next season could define the club for decades to come.
geordie157
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:13 AM
Comment #10Agree on the midfield 3, i would like to see Hayden playing the holding role, with Matty and Sean box to box midfielders (both have an eye for goal)
Armstrong has become a pretty good championship player but he’s one of a very small list who hasn’t ended up in non league.
I think Sterry will end up at a national league club or even possibly at Gateshead. He’s capable of improving and get back up to league one level, which i think Roberts will do. .
The one i was disappointed with was Mackenzie Heaney, full of promise and lost his way. Don’t think the club can be blamed, from the little i’ve read it sounds purely down to poor attitude.
Lots of others who could be listed who simply just weren’t good enough or possibly mis managed by not going out on loan. Sorensen may end up being another. Heardman is another who’s vanished.
Pat On The Heed
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:13 AM
Comment #11Lee Charley. Agreed. The Longstaffs are phenomenally direct. Their development has been a ray of light.
Kevin Vegan
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:14 AM
Comment #12We are not being bought by Al-Rumayyan. It isn’t his money. He just works for the guy who’s money it is.
Imagine a scenario where the PL had approved Al-Rumayyan as an owner, and he is then removed from his role as governor of the PIF.
At this point, they would then have to conduct a seperate O+D test on whoever replaces Al-Yumayyan and treat it like a sale of the club.
If the new PIF governor was to fail the O+D test but was the person the Saudis thought was best for the job at the PIF, the Saudis wouldn’t necessarily remove him and replace him with somebody who would pass the test.
Then what happens? We have no owner and are kicked out the league.
Surely it has to be MBS’ name if it’s his money? If it worked any other way, whenever somebody failed the test they’d just ask a mate with a clean record to stand in for them and push on. It has to be watertight.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:15 AM
Comment #13captainmarvel,
Why can’t Ashley release an official statement. We’re relying on clickbait from journo’s who fed us crap all summer. The only one in the know is Caulkin and honeymoon or not he’s not saying anything.
captainmarvel
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:15 AM
Comment #14But neither are nowhere near as good as Gascoigne…
Kevin Vegan
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:17 AM
Comment #15Another scenario: the club runs up a large debt and Al-Rumayyan is sacked before it’s paid off.
Say he doesn’t have the money (I have no idea how much he’s worth, this is just in theory…) to pay it out of pocket himself, the Saudi state is also now not liable for anything as they are not named.
Who pays the debts?
Mund
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:18 AM
Comment #16Jail if you took the time you use on here sprouting crap and causing shit in a more beneficial way then I wouldn’t say what I said.
Stop being the big man say it to my face or stfu
Jail for Ashley
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:19 AM
Comment #17geordie157,
Hayden might not even be here, if an offer came in would they be tempted in his last year or watch him go for free next summer.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:19 AM
Comment #18@Pat
Sean against Bournemouth before he got injured was exactly what we have been missing since Perez left
Someone right on the toes of opposition centre backs blocking them playing out which in turn also helps us defensively and offensively as you can nick the ball off them rather than just inviting teams to stroll through our midfield and straight on the defence for shots at goal which happened a lot last season
hibbit
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:19 AM
Comment #19neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers neggers
# we were once united
Jail for Ashley
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:20 AM
Comment #20Mund,
Go and have a shave and a shower and pull yourself together man!
Mund
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:22 AM
Comment #21captainmarvel
They are playing the waiting game so are is Ashley well for the time being. Both buyers and sellers have legal teams at the ready but are waiting on first words from the league who are scared what they put out in case in comes back at them.
Mund
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:23 AM
Comment #22Jail don’t try to be a calming influence now you shouldn’t of said what you said and for that I’m fuming I question anyone who doesn’t have balls to back up what they say and if they don’t they shouldn’t say it
captainmarvel
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:24 AM
Comment #23I totally agree Jail it is ridiculous..
The consortium asked for the fans help to pile pressure on the league, they have been brilliant not only that but achieved a coming together of MPs too which you would think would bring Stavely and Co. Back in too.. But has it?
You cannot totally trust journalists…
Mund
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:27 AM
Comment #24captainmarvel
Thing is mate if they are back in the fold and the reason the premier league is silent because of the NDA’s in place, we will never know that’s surely a fact. The whole saga got played out in the media for all the wrong reasons and I think we won’t hear anything regarding progress until it’s sorted whatever the answer
captainmarvel
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:27 AM
Comment #25Only Ashley can sort this..He has to drop the NDAs and flush Masters and Co. Out into the open, make them make a statement…
captainmarvel
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Comment #26But will he? I am convinced the ball is in his court…
Mund
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Comment #27But what if they can use the breaking of the NDA’s as a way to reject it?
I think all sides have to be careful with there next moves
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:31 AM
Comment #28CaptainM
My opinion is that everyone is keeping quiet as the whole thing isnt over yet.
i think that things are still moving behind the scenes but this time in quiet. It might actually help if the press think its all over as there will hopefully be no more tabloids looking for stories there to make it a shambles again.
lesh
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:31 AM
Comment #29If Al-Rumayyan is sacked by PIF, then PIF appoint a new director of NUFC, who’d be assessed under O&D. Al-Rumayyan is not owner but a director.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:32 AM
Comment #30captainmarvel,
It would be a shame if all that effort and MP involvement just got forgotten about in time. Bar 5K of us turning up outside the PL we’ve done as much as we can.
Jib
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:33 AM
Comment #31Kevin Vegan
We are not being bought by Al-Rumayyan. It isn’t his money. He just works for the guy who’s money it is.
Imagine a scenario where the PL had approved Al-Rumayyan as an owner, and he is then removed from his role as governor of the PIF.
At this point, they would then have to conduct a seperate O+D test on whoever replaces Al-Yumayyan and treat it like a sale of the club.
more nonsense
Al-Rumayyan is named as a director like Lee Charnley
Did NUFC have a seperate O+D test when Chanley replaced
Llambias
Of course not
Do all Vegans say the first thing that comes into their heads ?
Kevin Vegan
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:33 AM
Comment #32Lesh
Then who would be the owner?
Jib
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:34 AM
Comment #33THE CONSORTIUM you thick twat
captainmarvel
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:36 AM
Comment #34Lesh, the club would be owned by the trust not by an individual, therefore it is possible to sack/change a Director no problem..
captainmarvel
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:38 AM
Comment #35This ownership rubbish is just a diversionary tactic from the league who are as bent as the Qataris..
Davas28
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Comment #36Isn’t Al-Rumayyan just being named as a director. The PIF would be the owners. If a director fails the test then they just have to nominate someone who is acceptable. That’s what the test is for.
If BT, for example, bought us it would surely be the same. BT would own us, not an individual, and they (the board) would nominate somebody to be chairman/director(s).
captainmarvel
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Comment #37Sorry, inclusive of Stavely and the Reubens too but the main ownership is held by the trust..
Kevin Vegan
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:41 AM
Comment #38Jib
I really don’t get what your point is.Do you think Mike Ashley should’ve just been able to name Charnley and not be tested himself, then?
Ashley’s money bought our club so he would be tested.
Similarly, if the Crown Prince’s money is buying the club, he should be tested.
Also “more nonsense”? Really? Tell me again how the team Red Bull bought were founded in 1990 before being proved wrong and then doing a little disappearing act.
Throwing stones from your glass house isn’t a productive use of your time Jib. Let’s just discuss the topic and leave the personal stuff aside as this won’t go well for you otherwise.
IrishRob
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:42 AM
Comment #39We werent being bought with Al Rumayyan as the owner you tit!! And Al Rumayyan would never been declared as the owner, we were being bought by the PIF and Al Rumayyan is the guy running the PIF. The PIF are the owners.
Wrecks my head that you pretend like you dont understand this kv, but a child would understand it, on the wind up again and again and again. Dont respond to me I cant stand the sight of you.
Davas28
Aug 14, 2020 at 11:43 AM
Comment #40I nee to type faster.