r0cafella

I would recommend everyone take Staveley comments at face value personally. Unfortunately, nothing material seems to have changed.

This doesn’t really make sense though. The decision maker will be whomever at the PIF has the authority to make the decisions as it would be in any other company. In terms of responsibility and accountability that would be with whoever is listed as the director of the club. If they want to fail this because of MBS then they should go ahead and fail it and publish the reason why. The ridiculous stalling which is taking place has now become the issue.

Don't understand this at all. The owners test is all about making sure people who control a club match up to the leagues standards how can they do that by ignoring directors. They clearly feel mbs is in a position of authority over PIF and this the consortium and do should be named on it. You may disagree with that but it's completely within their remit Subjecting him to the test Is within the remit. Dictating who is on the board of directors isn’t. If they want to subject him to the test that’s fine, if he fails said test that’s also fine. But that isn’t what’s happening here. That is exactly what is happening, MBS will not be on the board, PIF are claiming he has no influence but the PL are saying he has. He needs to be part of the owners test because obviously he is going to be the decision maker if he so wishes to be. He may never get involved but he has the power to do so. For some reason he is not being put forward for the test and the PL quite rightly are saying he should. I think Samuels price is on the money except for the paragraph about the Saudis winning, I think he has that but wrong. Samuel is assuming if the arbitration sides with the PL then MBS will take the test and fail it due to piracy. I can’t see why that would happen though. You raise an interesting point re the piracy. The problem for the premier league and bein is piracy has only been linked to the Saudi state via media allegations. The WTO and the French court both didn’t go as far to pin it on the state. It’s easy to repeat what the media says but given the standard of journalism in the UK is particularly poor we should often be dubious about what they report. Also, let us consider the easy solution floated of the Saudis apologise for piracy and make good isn’t a viable solution for 2 main reasons. 1; the Saudis aren’t going to lose face to Qatar. 2; by accepting liability for any piracy the Saudis leave themselves open to lawsuits from every other broadcaster/league (NFL, NBA etc).

Don't understand this at all. The owners test is all about making sure people who control a club match up to the leagues standards how can they do that by ignoring directors. They clearly feel mbs is in a position of authority over PIF and this the consortium and do should be named on it. You may disagree with that but it's completely within their remit Subjecting him to the test Is within the remit. Dictating who is on the board of directors isn’t. If they want to subject him to the test that’s fine, if he fails said test that’s also fine. But that isn’t what’s happening here.

His opinion is worthless honestly. The premier league should reject if they are so confident. The fact they haven’t speaks volumes.

Seems odd that the premier league think it gets a say on who is on the board of a private company. I’m quite astounded by the level of interference from them. They are clearly over stepping the mandate the have given themselves.

They are financing the thing. No PIF = no deal.

I think they are the biggest broadcaster in the region. Also last thing the premier league want is a lack of competition for the rights. Also people may cry foul if a club is owned by one of the broadcasters. Another stick for the premier league to be potentially beaten with.

So how do they get out of this? Do nothing? Ain't going to work now, they have to make a decision and take a side. They're not fit for purpose and need to be reformed. Abolish the PL and bring the whole shebang back under the purview of either the FA or the government. If the big clubs cry and f*** off to form a european super borefest then all the better. I like the sentiment but it would actually destroy the English game Debatable. Putting aside that a European Super League is unlikely to ever happen for several reasons, it's entirely reasonable to conclude that the top 6 need English football more than the rest of English football needs the top 6. Anyone in a hurry to watch Villa vs Fulham? Don’t get me wrong, I agree with the PL showing it’s true colours and showing themselves as a farcical organisation but without those big clubs English Football would be of a much lower standard.

So how do they get out of this? Do nothing? Ain't going to work now, they have to make a decision and take a side. They're not fit for purpose and need to be reformed. Abolish the PL and bring the whole shebang back under the purview of either the FA or the government. If the big clubs cry and f*** off to form a european super borefest then all the better. I like the sentiment but it would actually destroy the English game

If Piracy was the issue why didnt the PL reject the takeover after a month and why did they give them an unofficial nod of approval early on in the process? Something changed from an outside source (Bein, other PL clubs) and that's what it stinks of. Because despite what keeps being posted. The piracy charge isn’t actual proven to be linked to either the Saudi state or the Pif. I imagine this is why they can’t reject it based upon this. It’s entirely possible the Piracy issue is the deal breaker mind but as it’s unproven rejecting due to this seems like a legal minefield hence the stasis.

That would be one way but, from what I've read, that would require the process to start again. With Ashley. With the PL. Also, I always believed that the Reubens were only really present for the real estate angle and didn't foresee bunging in much of the running costs. 10% is a drop in the ocean. Realistically, the club needs way over £600m to purchase it, fund it and then develop the infrastructure. Arguably, closer to a billion. Would they wanna drop 1/18 of their wealth on a football club? I can't see it. Minhosa is correct. They have no intentions of buying us themselves.

+1

Yes, though staveley did confirm he did ask for a new price which I think they were happy with. It looks that way. To be fair to GM I’m guessing he was fed inaccurate information from his source.

It has changed things though, people and fans are being made aware of the level of corruption that exists with the EPL and other Top 6 clubs. If it changes anything that's to be seen but the correct information it's getting out there. As far as the other clubs are concerned they will want to block this. Last thing they want is the threat of gravy train going off the rails. I don’t think some tweets represents any fundamental change personally. The PL still have the fit and proper persons test to hide behind.

It’s dead, nothing has materially changed as far as the PL is concerned. Other clubs having a say/opinion is nothing short of a joke.

This guy isn’t buying us He has no money or credibility. Sounds like the perfect candidate.

This guy isn’t buying us He has no money or credibility. Yet another media placement from Qatari’s to make this easier to stall. Idiots like Edwards spinning a tail of the Saudis not being the only option makes things a lot smoother.

It's not really a closed shop at all is it? It's a closed shop to people who pirate PL games from a broadcaster who pays millions to show the games We have no proof anyone from the bid was involved in the piracy. I’m guessing that’s one of the reasons the premier league stalled and didn’t reject.

They don’t care. They have a piece of paper which they can cling too which allows them to stall. As I expected, not a dicky bird from masters.

The buyer’s have issued a statement advising they have pulled out. It’s really quite simple.

I don’t think anyone should question what GM has been told personally. If he’s been told the truth is another matter entirely though.

In terms of GM, we have a reasonable idea the information came from Richard Bevan who is no doubt on good terms with Masters. These things tends to be an old boys club after all.