Rosenrot

Why would any Newcastle fan want the League Cup to be scrapped? It's one of only two trophies we could ever realistically have a chance of winning Because it's shit.

Luke Edwards really is the biggest twat going. Christ.

MBS was probably dancing around his living room chanting "fuck Mou" after that goal. Takeover definitely back on now. Thanks VAR.

Hit his arm mate.

That point could keep us up.

I wonder if this is being broadcast in Saudi Arabia.

They are so much better than us.

This is clearly going to be a 70%+ possession to Spurs match.

The PL are not a cash rich organisation either, the operation is actually quite small. This could get very tasty, especially in the current climate. One things for sure other clubs will be f***ing furious I believe the clubs can vote to fund the legal action. I doubt cash will be a problem for the PL.

Absolute state of this whole thing.

But the Saudis pulling out is irrelevant? I thought the entire process goes through the club, i.e. Newcastle United? We know that PIF issued their statement ages ago, but we also know that continued negotiations have gone on behind the scenes, and it should have had no impact on the formal process.

What the f*ck is going on?

Agree. PL officials have had several opportunities to get this done, but they have been adamant in making sure it doesn't. They don't want it, so unless PIF take them to court, it's not happening. PIF can’t take them to court, only Ashley can, I believe.

This does not fit with Caulkin saying all parties were working on takeover behind the scenes and expected it to be approved imminently.

The Judicial review process only applies to decisions made by public bodies. I studied restraint of trade in sport last year and came across some judicial commentary that suggest judges may be open to extending judicial review to sports regulatory bodies in some instances. Doubt this case is one of them mind.

Oh well. Popcorn.gif Send in the lawyers!

Since when has MA really cared about upsetting people?

Doesn’t fit with Caulkin’s cryptic tweets though. His tweets are pretty clear. Talks have been going on behind the scenes. PIF came back to table. PL rejected the takeover and here we are What’s this suggestion then of the consortium being confident of approval and THEN this statement comes out, out of the blue? It’s all very weird.

Doesn’t fit with Caulkin’s cryptic tweets though.

Why on earth were they confident it would go through? I want this magical confidence machine.

The Premier League clubs could vote to fund any legal battle, correct?

Seriously? Did you read the club's statement . . . "This conclusion has been reached despite the club providing the Premier League with overwhelming evidence and legal opinions that PIF is independent and autonomous of the Saudi Arabian government." "The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately in relation to this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them." Yes. I have read it. It will all depend on whether their lawyers think the case is winnable. The problem is that PIF is clearly not autonomous and independent of the Saudi Arabian government. I know it’s complete hypocrisy when compared to Man City etc. but hey this is Newcastle United, what do we expect? But do you not think he'd have taken that advice before making such a incredibly strong statement? "overwhelming evidence" saying the top guy at the Premier League has "acted inappropriately". It's pretty strong for someone who's not yet decided his position. By the way we're is your evidence that PIF are clearly not autonomous? The PIF board: Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf - Minister of State and member of the Saudi Council of Ministers Majid Abdullah Al Qasabi - Minister of Commerce Mohammad Abdul Malek Al Shaikh - Minister of State and member of the Saudi Council of Ministers Ahmed Aqeel Al-Khateeb - Minister of Tourism Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Falih - Minister of Investment Mohammed Abdullah Al-Jadaan - Minister of Finance and of course: Chairman of PIF Mohammad bin Salman - The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia... I can imagine you’d have to be a pretty bloody good lawyer to convince anyone that they are independent of the Saudi state... However maybe it is possible, or maybe they hope they can force the PL into submission through expensive litigation? I’m just not feeling positive about it.

Seriously? Did you read the club's statement . . . "This conclusion has been reached despite the club providing the Premier League with overwhelming evidence and legal opinions that PIF is independent and autonomous of the Saudi Arabian government." "The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately in relation to this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them." Yes. I have read it. It will all depend on whether their lawyers think the case is winnable. The problem is that PIF is clearly not autonomous and independent of the Saudi Arabian government. I know it’s complete hypocrisy when compared to Man City etc. but hey this is Newcastle United, what do we expect?

Unfortunately I still can’t see this going anywhere. I don’t think Ashley will sue.

I doubt our boardroom ever gets used. Nobody would notice.