The Chronicle have an exclusive report out today after they obtained 24 pages of correspondence between the Premier League and the Foreign Office during the takeover attempt.
There was also direct communication between the Foreign Office and the Saudi government during the takeover attempt.
The documents show that several meetings took place with the Foreign Office and the league, after the Premier League had stated the government were supportive of any decision made by the league,
These meetings were in fact to ensure the Foreign office were in line with any decision the league took with the takeover.
That’s like putting the cart before the horse, and shows some untruthful public statements from the league – but what’s new with that?
The Premier League wanted to ensure they and the Foreign Office were “on the same page” with the timing of the decision, when it was finally made by the league.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters
We should add that no decision has ever been made on the takeover by the PL.
The PIF basically got tired of all the holdups and obstacles in the owners’ and directors’ test created by the Premier League as they requested more and more information on some topics.
That seems like a stalling strategy, until the Saudis got tired sick of being messed around, which is essentially what happened: they withdrew their bid on July 30th.
The Chronicle has reported that the majority of the report they have has been redacted by the Foreign Office to keep some details private.
So the first question that comes up is – what are they hiding?
There will of course be some confidential stuff the government needs to keep private, but according to the Chronicle there is a lot of redacted text in the documents.
Here’s a short extract from the (very) detailed Chronicle article about some of the correspondence and meetings that took place:
The correspondence takes us into May, where a conference call is held to discuss the idea of ‘joined-up messaging’ between the department and the Premier League after the decision on the takeover has been made.
An agenda for the meeting, was drafted up which included contributions from the Department for Culture Media and Sport, as well as the Department for International trade.
Another call was held on June 10th in which the Foreign Office described the meeting as a ‘brief update’ but offered to organise a ‘more in-depth’ discussion with a ‘large cross government-cast’ at another time.
The consortium then announced their intention to pull out of the deal on July 30th.
Another interesting piece of information in the report is that the Foreign Office has refused to release the one-on-one correspondence they had with the Saudis about the deal.
They have admitted such correspondence took place.
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So this is just the start of finding out what really did happen in the Premier League owners’ and directors’ test with the Newcastle takeover, and we still don’t know specifically why the deal was turned down.
There are two legal challenges ongoing regarding the takeover:
- Mike Ashley has two lawyers of Blackstone Chambers – Shaheed Fatima QC and Nick De Marco QC – challenging the Premier League on specifically why the deal did not go through
- The Newcastle Supporters Consortium Group have separately issued arbitration proceedings against the Premier League
We will likely get more reports like this one as these legal cases proceed to a conclusion.
But what we are really hoping for is that the Premier League will one day issue a statement saying the takeover deal has been approved.
When and if that day ever comes – we don’t know – but we are still fairly confident it will, although fans remain skeptical.
Comments welcome.
386 comments so far
Not another deJong
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:27 PM
Comment #1No doubt the Dept of Trade would say they do not comment on individual cases, let alone private corporate matters. But if presented with the details of the Manchester United and Manchester City takeovers, if not all the ‘Big 6’ and where the money came from, could they honestly say that there has been a consistency in decision making?
Jail for Ashley
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:34 PM
Comment #2Ashingtoon,
Whoa whoa whoa there. I’ve hardly posted at all over this last week and he drags my name in to some dig he’s having at someone else in the early hours of the morning, howay mate, play fair.
WLtoon
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:36 PM
Comment #3Hang on, one minute this article says there was no decision made on the takeover, then in a later sentence is says they still don`t know specifically why the deal was turned down, come on, make your mind up,, either it was turned down or it was not.
Optimistic prime
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:41 PM
Comment #4Ashingtoon.
Munster came on the blog to call me names and insult me at 1230, I hadn’t mentioned or spoke to him in over a week.
I wish people like you would pay attention instead of wading in and looking as ridiculous as the man you’re standing up for.
Its obvious neither of you look at the big picture or absorb the information on offer, excuse me if I ignore your waffle in future.
hibbit
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:41 PM
Comment #5one thing for certain these 3 QC are getting plenty of ammo to hit the PL with,
Novocastrian66
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:42 PM
Comment #6WL; what we do know is that the deal wasn’t sanctioned.
hibbit
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:45 PM
Comment #7WL the wasn’t signed off though was it ???
hibbit
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:45 PM
Comment #8Deal
WLtoon
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:49 PM
Comment #9Novo, Hibbit,
True it wasn`t signed off or sanctioned but it says it was turned down in the article when it was not, there is a difference.
Clarity is what we need and we do not get it from this article.
hibbit
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:55 PM
Comment #10interesting read
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-takeover-nick-de-marco-19391442
Tsunki
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:56 PM
Comment #11Ashingtoon62
Hardly tag team posting I’ve just ventured on and said what I saw. It can’t be a surprise to you to see Munster at the centre of yet another argument can it?
You on the other hand seem to be a usual suspect. I’ve got that right haven’t I? 😉
WLtoon
Dec 3, 2020 at 1:57 PM
Comment #12The more we read about the PL the more confident we must be about the takeover getting the nod.
How this lot can come out of all this without smelling of anything other than a bucket of unpleasantness is beyond me.
It`s all coming out in the wash now , playing right into the hands off De Marco and Fatima.
Right, that`s me off to graft, stay safe all.
Tsunki
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:02 PM
Comment #13Look I’m not jumping in because it’s Munster, but I’m just pondering the scenario –
Munster – “Kids, I’m thinking of upgrading the old 28″ telly to a 55″ 4k Bells and Whistles smart TV so your Xbox games look a touch better than they do atm on this 10 year old set, whaddya think?” (Pauses and braces for hysterical celebratory screaming)
Munster kids – “You know what, Dad? I think we’ll just push on with this telly there’s nothing wrong with it, make do and mend an that…”
Munster – (jaw dropped, hands helplessly dangling by his sides) “What the……”
Hmm.
Novocastrian66
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:04 PM
Comment #14The question is why wasn’t it signed off?
The EPL refused to sign off the deal until certain criteria was met or explained. Was this request reasonable and consistent and within the criteria of the EPL’s rules?
If it was then fair enough, explain why. If not then there again explain why it wasn’t sanctioned. Hence the legal challenge.
It’s semantics to say the EPL didn’t reject the deal. They did reject by the fact they did not approve it.
Northumbrian
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:08 PM
Comment #15Hibbit, interesting how di Marco served as a non exec on the QPR board, the same board as one j Reuben.
kc2012
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:09 PM
Comment #16The Saudi’s pulled out of the deal then later on the premier league actually rejected the deal. That’s what Sky sports said anyway and I think that’s why this whole thing kicked off to start with
Northumbrian
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:13 PM
Comment #17Remember what Amanda said?,
They want the Saudi government to be a director and no government has ever been a director of a prem league club.
In other words we won’t we won’t allow it but then again we won’t disallow it.
hibbit
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:15 PM
Comment #18Northumbrian very interesting, makes you wonder who exactly brought di Marco and just how involved the consortium are in this litigation ???
Northumbrian
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:17 PM
Comment #19Exactly what I was thinking hibbit..
Ashingtoon62
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:23 PM
Comment #20OP You mean what Munster posted at 11-38 yeah?
I think it was personal and probably uncalled for in as such, as the way it was worded.
Surely the guy is entitled to his opinion though,as am I and fully agree with him on said subject,I disagree with your views on Covid but I applaud you on your manoeuvering,the way you managed to take the argument away from culling the elderly to anti-vaxing.
I still stand by my previous post though.As a mainly reader, the way the three of you suddenly appear and attack Munster is footing tedious.
captainmarvel
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:28 PM
Comment #21WL, the article does contradict itself, put it down to lazy journalism..
The article itself is interesting, is the government complicit it working with the PL in putting barriers in place? Regardless, the government is loaded with liars, I trust them as much as the premier League…Redacting information that may implicate stinks of corrupt practice…
Mund
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Comment #22Tsunki tbf you love to weigh in and love it when you have an opportunity to do so
Jail for Ashley
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:32 PM
Comment #23Ashingtoon,
I’ve never had a crossword with you and don’t wish to do so, a few weeks a go I had a group of men posting video’s of ‘migets’ aimed at me, a bloke they’ve never met and then pi$$ing themselves laughing. Only hibbit said something, I’m not looking for support but if you’re going to stick your oar in at least play fair.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:34 PM
Comment #24Says Mund as he sticks his oar in ffs. And so it begins, I’m out of here for today. Moanster farts in the room while everyone is in bed so he can enjoy the aftermath the day after. Well done Moanster.
Mund
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:37 PM
Comment #25Jail I stick my oar in for moments like Ash said and I’m not nasty and please don’t take no high ground you shouldn’t of mentioned anything about being targeted as you have targeted many of posters down the years
Not another deJong
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:40 PM
Comment #26Point of clarification in the above text by Ed.
The second legal challenge by The Newcastle Supporters Consortium Group has been made to the Competitions Appeal Tribunal, who have legal standing outside the PL process based on Government Legislation.
Whereas the Arbitration process entered into by the Club and the PL is a private disagreement resolved by an impartial adjudicator who will arrive at a decision based on the commercial rules and terms agreed, in which the O&D test are set out.
carltoon
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:51 PM
Comment #27What’s taking so long, are the separate cases actually getting dealt with at the moment or are they still waiting to be heard. I wish they would get on with it.
Northumbrian
Dec 3, 2020 at 2:56 PM
Comment #28Carltoon,, the prem are trying to stall for time on both cases.
carltoon
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:01 PM
Comment #29Northumbrian, that’ll be right. I bet it hasn’t even been heard yet. It’s do annoying.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:03 PM
Comment #30Call me cynical but if the Saudis were buying a London club ie West Ham or a Merseyside club – Everton the EPL would of sanctioned it straight away.
With the Covid outbreak at the TOON I can see next weeks game against the Baggies being called off too!
captainmarvel
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:08 PM
Comment #31Personally I have more faith in the two supporters than I have of Ashley and his cohorts, hiding behind NDAs is just placating the premier League…
Tsunki
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:09 PM
Comment #32“Mund Dec 3, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Comment #22
Tsunki tbf you love to weigh in and love it when you have an opportunity to do so”
Oh Mund, if only you appreciated irony just a little bit….
I’m not “weighing in” to support anyone, or “gang up” on anyone. You might have noticed I’m pretty impartial and prone to pointing out stuff from virtually anyone I think deserves a chalkemge. It’s hardly surprising if someone, this time happens to be Munster, throws a few of those grenades of his to attract the attention of folk who might kind of be at odds with his views. What do you expect? No comments on a blog? Grow up.
Tsunki
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:10 PM
Comment #33Where is autocorrect when you want “challenge” spelled properly? Out walking the virtual dog eh?
Northumbrian
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:10 PM
Comment #34The bit of the documents that have irked me was, after the deal was withdrawn the FO felt it “was helpful” that the prem did not make a statement.
Tsunki
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:14 PM
Comment #35It’s funny how same posters who point out you’re rounding on “people” never say anything about said “people” constantly and unremittingly posting the same tripe about former managers, present coaches, insults about “squaddies”, views on UK politics all peppered with personal insults and profanities. Odd. I’snt it?
Mund
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:15 PM
Comment #36Tsunki
The thing is tho and I do agree on points you make but it’s went beyond that.
It doesn’t matter who started it as it’s went beyond any point of return as both sides have said stuff that are uncalled and it feels it’s about point scoring now and has been for a long time.
There will be no end and I’m not sticking up for any side as both have been as tedious as each other.
I think the only way to go forward is to not post directly or none directly to each other
captainmarvel
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:16 PM
Comment #37At one time I had the mistaken belief that this country was beyond reproach in the rule of law and judgement how wrong I was.. Rules and the law are there to be twisted and altered each and every way possible so that the end result is acceptable to the rich and powerful…
(This goes for other countries too)…
Tsunki
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:20 PM
Comment #38Yeah right mind, but every time you come back at me you’re doing exactly that.
Tsunki
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:22 PM
Comment #39“I think the only way to go forward is to not post directly or none directly to each other”
Just a bit curious as to how you could make that work? TBF I have tired of the constant Rafa posts as they are beyond obvious.
lesh
Dec 3, 2020 at 3:24 PM
Comment #40Lots of different opinions on the takeover and government but the fact that EPL felt the need to keep the FO on the same page in May, then EPL had made their mind up that it wasn’t going to be approved anyway.
And they continued to discuss PIF and KSA relationship after that?
What’s worrying though, there was am opportunity for government to tell EPL it would prefer the application to be approved, lean on the EPL, but it doesn’t seem to have done so.