During the explosive Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) hearing last month, QC Daniel Jowell claimed that Premier League clubs had lobbied against the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcasle United.
This is some of what the lawyer said at the time:
“A number of major clubs that control or strongly influence the Premier League also joined in the lobbying against the deal. Richard Masters (Premier League chief executive) held more than one direct meeting with beIN at this time.
“We say this lobbying distorted the Premier League’s fair and objective application of the rules. The result of all of this is that PIF pulled out of the takeover.”
Jowell accused the Premier League of being unduly influenced by both beIN Sports and ‘major clubs’ in the league. BeIN Sports were negotiating a new broadcast deal when the owner’s and directors’ tests were ongoing.
Due to a prolonged dispute over piracy within Saudi Arabia, the broadcasters were supposedly using some leverage to lobby against the takeover. The piracy saga was dramatically resolved last week when Saudi Arabia agreed to pay compensation for the piracy – an agreement that in part paved the way for Newcastle’s sale to our new ownership group.
On Friday, The Guardian reported that the rest of the Premier League are demanding an emergency meeting about the takeover. According to the report, the rest of the league are ‘united in opposition’ to Newcastle’s takeover.
They want an emergency meeting to discuss why the deal was suddenly pushed through and without their foreknowledge. They are also said to be concerned that the reputation of the league could take a hit with Saudi involvement.
The Mail is also reporting that some clubs are ‘furious’ with this takeover. Though Craig Hope’s report takes aim primarily at Tottenham as being the primary agitator.
In his report, Hope claims Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is frantically trying to block Newcastle from bringing in a new sponsor. Though Levy has no power to prevent such a deal.
The report also names Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal as having lobbied against the takeover from early in the process. This is to be expected as these clubs all tried to break away and join a new European Super League just around six months ago.
They simply don’t want more competition, especially from a sleeping giant like Newcastle. They appear to be shaking in their boots at the prospect of Newcastle United backed by ambitious owners and a loyal, true fanbase.
76 comments so far
RolandoOverhead
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:53 PM
Comment #41In a world where money talks
Newcastle United are now the loudest voice at the table.
magscar
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:54 PM
Comment #42Arty and OP
My blame (long time ago but that is what i was feeling then ) for that missed opportunity is KK’s obssession with trying to shoehorn Beardsley into every formation once we had Batty and Asprilla
My feeling at time(and now) was your best players don’t neccesarily make your best eleven and back then we had decent choices!
Even so there sholdn’t have been anyway Man U should have clawed back the deficit
The game we lost at home to them was and even then felt like a turning point but we still had enough – oh what might hae been
cleveleysbob
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:55 PM
Comment #43I agree with Hibbit, 2 priorities – Bruce out and 17th or above.
Still think this team if kept fit can achieve top 10 although the start we’ve had has made this harder. We only need a couple of tweaks in January. 1 x decent quick Centre Back, 1 x decent DM, and a striker back up for Wilson is all we actually need, we should save the money for a rebuild to start from next Summer.
If there’s a striker or CDM available currently on free, we should go for it, drop one of the goalies and Hendricks from squad, job done.
Optimistic prime
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:56 PM
Comment #44Mags..
Two or three factors I guess.
I agree with the Turning point.
We reached another Huge Turning point on Thursday, in our favour this time.
Vask
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:56 PM
Comment #45Rolando!
Who is your choice for manager?
The Ledge
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:57 PM
Comment #46I taught as well it was the introduction of Asprilla into the team as much as I loved him as a player the balance was just never right after that.
/%%/
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:58 PM
Comment #47cleveleysbob,
If Lpool aren’t willing to sell Matip then Phillios would be a decent shout, Phillips, DVB and Lacazette.
cleveleysbob
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:58 PM
Comment #48“The Worm has turned”
The World now revolves around a different axis.
Football will never be the same. NUFC are now the single most important entity in the Football world and doesn’t it feel great? 😀
Vask
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:59 PM
Comment #49Personally during those asprilla days I thought nothing more than the excitement the football that was proffered up week in week out.
cleveleysbob
Oct 9, 2021 at 12:59 PM
Comment #50Perfect Jail, I’d go with them 3, all we need for this season, the future will take care of itself.
Optimistic prime
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:00 PM
Comment #51I much prefer being hated for being the richest club in the world than being hated due to ignorance from press media and other fans.
toonrobbybobson
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:02 PM
Comment #52Anyone else find it weird we can talk about players and managers again with hope? What a surreal feeling to have hope again. We’ve been kept down for so long it’s a strange strange sensation to be so positive each day and no arguments.
I’d like us to make some sensible signings like Ward Prowse. Players that are stalwarts of this league to get us stabilised and build upon.
Also hope the 2 year delay means plans for training ground etc are ready for spade to go into the ground and catch the other clubs out as to how prepared the consortium is.
geoff777
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:02 PM
Comment #53On Bruce … I guess he’ll be summoned to the ground the next time he’s due at training.
Face to face and a classy thank you, but goodbye, however you are always welcome back … here’s your 8 million …
cleveleysbob
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:03 PM
Comment #54The hardest thing for teams like us is winning that 1st trophy.
We maybe need to get a League cup or FA cup under our belt before attempting to replace Man C, Chelsea or Liverpool at the top.
Wasn’t the league cup the 1st trophy Man C won after their takeover?
Mag52
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:04 PM
Comment #55What a move it would be to get in Pochettino especially if we sorted out Spuds every time we played them.
Optimistic prime
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:04 PM
Comment #56I used to love a Sunday morning, it’s usually the time for gossip about players and managers.
Not been worth bothering for 14 years, definitely looking forward to tomorrow’s red top comics.
Optimistic prime
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:05 PM
Comment #57Bob
FA Cup this year!
It’s nailed on, check my predictions!
magscar
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Comment #58OP
That season was my best and ultimately my worst as well 🙁
yes not one thing to blame and i thought with Shearer we were only delaying our crowning by one season
Abramhovitch on horizon was going to change landscape permanently especialy for us gatecrashers back then
Will our takeover have another pivotal impact on PL but with us benefitting big time – let it be so 🙂
curmon
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Comment #59Our next shirt sponsors will be ARAMCO
Optimistic prime
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #60Listening to Wraith and Lowe, Wraith reckons we’ll go for Howe or someone like him.
What a kick in the balls that would be for Bruce!
Didn’t he say something about Howe’s relegation?
Mund
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:09 PM
Comment #61OP
Nothings changed with regards to how outsiders hate us but now with extra saltiness, what has changed tho is we don’t care one bit about it 😆 it just makes us smile even more
Optimistic prime
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:09 PM
Comment #62Mags
I’m taking a seat and enjoying the ride.
It’s great not to feel anxious about the clubs future…
And………Relax.
Optimistic prime
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:11 PM
Comment #63Mund.
I don’t mind cos they don’t matter!
They’re here to make up the numbers 😉
ArtyH
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:11 PM
Comment #64Mags, I stopped going after the second KK fiasco under the blob, saw the writing on the wall, his book is enlightening too. Just hope we are within time to save the club, time will tell. We need a manager, not had one for a few years ( Rafa ) the cabbage was a head coach. If we got Conti or someone similar ” I would love it, just love it ” 😉
RolandoOverhead
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:16 PM
Comment #65I’d love to see Mourinho here, it seems like destiny for the student to follow the master and become a legend.
Yes he’s had his ups and downs, but there’s already an affinity between him and the club. Something great could be just around the corner.
Whether we could prise him away from his new project at Roma is another matter entirely.
cleveleysbob
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Comment #66I suspect the £8M figure, if true, is for the 3 Steve’s not just SB.
I’m assuming his salary is between £1.5 and £2 Million so x 3 = £4.5 – £6M for him balance for the Steves.
Optimistic prime
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:22 PM
Comment #67Never mentioned it but being on site Thursday was good but Friday was better.
Makems had little to say other than “you can’t spend it all at once”
Silence was deafening, most Nufc fans were just relieved or it hadn’t sunk in.
Wor B
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:26 PM
Comment #68The last year on here has been mostly a misery, 🙁
Oh, what a joy it is to read the blog now. 🙂
Keep it up folks.
I hope we as a club and fan base can move forward with grace and humility.
cyprus
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:27 PM
Comment #69Mourinho does have an affinity with NUFC but please no. We’ve had enough defensive boring football to last a lifetime..
A coach who plays attacking, attractive football.
On taking it slowly, we must be careful because we are still in danger of relegation. At least two three super players must come in in January, just to consolidate our pl status!
WLtoon
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:28 PM
Comment #70Oh no, not Jose, he is so damn miserable he would put a total dampener on the the whole TO euphoria.
Lets face it, he wasn`t that good at his previous mega rich club was he.
My choice would be Rogers.
WLtoon
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:35 PM
Comment #71Gerrard saying he fancies the job, well what a surprise. Stay in Scotland Steve, for a start, you are called Steve, and you won the SPL which is the equivalent of lge 2.
Got knocked out of the Europa lge early doors, say no more.
IrishRob
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:36 PM
Comment #72Cyprus then you want Farve 100%. He’s Keegan and Biesla all rolled into one and turned up to 11. On top of being one of the greatest tactical geniuses in football.
toonluvva
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:36 PM
Comment #73The fact that the takeover has finally gone through is brilliant news.
But I expect most posters predictions to Martoon have been completely ruined.
ah well, you can’t have everything.
IrishRob
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:43 PM
Comment #74I wouldn’t write Gerrard or Rogers off but I am just not filled with much desire to get either in. Plus if we can get a big name manager it would massively affect who would join us atm.
There’s so many out there to choose from that will come here and won’t be tied to other clubs. I don’t think it will be a problem finding a great manager and I think they will choose very wisely in the end.
But I can’t for the life of me see Eddie Howe anywhere near this club. It would be massively underwhelming and would make it a lot harder to sign top players. But you never know in this game.
lochinvar
Oct 9, 2021 at 1:51 PM
Comment #75“The Guardian reported that the rest of the Premier League are demanding an emergency meeting about the takeover. According to the report, the rest of the league are ‘united in opposition’ to Newcastle’s takeover.”
Sorry, too late.
You are f3ecked.
Dear Guardian,
Please publish the correspondence and emails between your paper and all the other clubs in the League.
We would like to know who you spoke with at each club, how you phased questions and how you interpreted their answers.
In the interests of transparency a subject dear to your heart. please publish the dates when you first had contact with Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea , Man City and Man U and who you spoke with and what they told you to say.
You will of course appreciate that ‘restraint of trade’ is I understand an illegal matter. Cartels are also illegal.
Please profile Barclays and their attitude to women.
Please publish an incisive investigation into why Richard Master of the EPL had a cozy chat with Levy from Sours just before the takeover of NUFC was confirmed. This is the same levy trying to save his bacon by signing a new £250million sponsorship deal
Oh and by the way China are threating to invade Taiwan and claim the country as their territory. The USA will defend Taiwan.
Please explain the concept of Global Thermo Nuclear War to your loony readership.
We look forward to your honesty, transparency and reply.
RSVP SJP
Nukeman
Oct 9, 2021 at 3:30 PM
Comment #76The same Daniel Levy and partner that own about 85% of Spurs and primary business in located out of the Caymen Islands and Bahamas.
Hmm wonder why you’d base your controlling business out there? Time to pay the piper Levy you snake.
Back to mid-table for Spurs.