Whitley mag

I certainly don’t think the Saudis decision to ban bein looks as bad now as when first announced. After the initial reaction by journalists, it seems to have gone very quiet, and the PL haven’t released a statement as some journos suggested. Ian Mearns made an interesting comparison last night, if a foreign broadcaster say China wanted to broadcast in the U.K, we would have every right to deny them. The PL choose to lump their package together for the MENA area, therefore they can’t just expect every country within that region to accept this broadcaster. Taking into account the geopolitical situation the Saudis have every right to deny who they want, Bein could be broadcasting propaganda messages during the adverts (probably very likely from what we’ve seen so far). I actually think this weeks announcement can have no bearing on test, so in conclusion I think piracy measures have been taken and in next 2 weeks we’ll be the richest club on the fucking planet.

The situation will develop as pif wont wait around forever. Also Ian Mearns MP made an interesting point last night, at what point does Ashley consider this a restraint of trade. Though there own rules don’t appear to have a set timescale for a decision, however a court could rule that this delay is not reasonable and does constitute a restraint of trade. Don’t think it will come to this though as I expect decision in next 2 weeks. Mike Ashley thought lockdown was a restraint of trade Very true, however without having any sympathy for the cnut, you could argue he has a case this time.

The situation will develop as pif wont wait around forever. Also Ian Mearns MP made an interesting point last night, at what point does Ashley consider this a restraint of trade. Though there own rules don’t appear to have a set timescale for a decision, however a court could rule that this delay is not reasonable and does constitute a restraint of trade. Don’t think it will come to this though as I expect decision in next 2 weeks.

Was checking on this earlier and the last newspaper media reports about it seem to be from November last year (google search) so if that's the case then it seems a big gap without any other reports. Think it’s still in the background, Leeds chairman seems very close to PSG/bein chief. Maybe, think there would have been fresh stuff coming out though, 8 months is a long time with nothing new. Staveley went quiet after 1st bid but she was still in the background. Be interesting to see what happens, would certainly move the power base of English football.

Was checking on this earlier and the last newspaper media reports about it seem to be from November last year (google search) so if that's the case then it seems a big gap without any other reports. Think it’s still in the background, Leeds chairman seems very close to PSG/bein chief.

Leeds promoted what’s the odds Qatari’s launch takeover bid. This would become the derby of the north, could become very tasty with this lot again.

C mon lads you know you want to.

That’s exactly what’s happening nowt to do with the widow and piracy. Get fu#%kng posting.

It’s happening no way it goes this far to be rejected. I’ve had doubts at times but more convinced than ever, they’ve had plenty of opportunities to knock it back.

Seems like Crispin’s on the Qatari payroll to.

I think it’s a safe bet they didn’t consider regional structure when they included Qatar and Saudi in same rights package to begin with. Why is that safe to say? Because Saudi and Qatar have always been best of friends? If they have built in a get out clause in the event of a scenario like this I’d be very impressed, however my guess is all that mattered was the 500 million. Also the likes of Matt Slater and Jacobs seem to think Saudi negotiating individual rights for remainder of contract are complicated and unlikely. I don't know if they have or not, just wouldn't say its safe to say they didn't possibly foresee a issue between two sworn enemies. Also don't really put much faith in journalists when it comes to anything but reporting something they're told, in this case they're speculating, like everyone else. Saudi conflict with Qatar began in 2016/17 and MENA rights were agreed just before 2018 season, they may have anticipated some problems. However, I’m with Slater and Jacobs on this though, just don’t see bein paying 500 million and agreeing to a get out clause. Also Saudi is biggest audience in MENA area, we know it has cost bein a fortune in subscriptions, if there was some clause for conflict with Saudi surely bein would have negotiated a rebate with PL.

Either that or it’s an elaborate way of proving PIF and govt are separate entities. I mean let’s face it they don’t seem very coordinated in their attempts to get this done. The letter from Al Qasabi re piracy e mails the other week wasn’t to clever either.

I think it’s a safe bet they didn’t consider regional structure when they included Qatar and Saudi in same rights package to begin with. Why is that safe to say? Because Saudi and Qatar have always been best of friends? If they have built in a get out clause in the event of a scenario like this I’d be very impressed, however my guess is all that mattered was the 500 million. Also the likes of Matt Slater and Jacobs seem to think Saudi negotiating individual rights for remainder of contract are complicated and unlikely.

I think it’s a safe bet they didn’t consider regional structure when they included Qatar and Saudi in same rights package to begin with.

Difficult to call this but struggling to find any positive in this development. Bein have 2 years of deal left so talk of individual rights deal for Saudi look unrealistic and complicated. At best I’m hoping this has no impact on takeover as it’s completely outside of PL test remit. At worst it’s retaliation as they’ve reached stalemate with PL and blame bein. Who the f*** knows basically, but it makes you wonder if this deal is just not that important in the grand scheme of things with Saudi, or their just a rag tag of govt depts unaware of the implications of what they’ve just done.

Woah careful Hasties good mates with the dentist you know.

Good to know.

Yeah Jezza and co would have blocked this without doubt. For once the north East may benefit from a Tory government.

Here’s his column hopefully it’s come from people itk within bein. https://richardajkeys.com/index.php/blog/240-fit-and-proper

Even the bipolar journalist thinks we’ll have new owners soon. He’ll probably change that later to I didn’t necessarily mean the Saudis though.

They won't knock it back on the human rights issue. Not only is it not part of the D&O test, but the Premier League's own government is directly trading with the Saudi state and encouraging investment. The announcements this week by the UK government were more than coincidence I agree they can’t block on this it would put them at odds with own government. However, they have been asking them questions on human rights apparently, whether that’s just a tick box exercise who knows. I’m sure masters would love to get a few prisoners released aswell though, he’d be an even bigger hero who cares if it takes a year to secure it, there’s no f***ing deadline anyway. Never seen or heard about that mind, everything which has been reported about the questions being asked is the piracy Can’t remember if it was Caulkin or Douglas but one of them did mention they’d been asked questions on human rights. Edit he mentions it in here. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-takeover-11-burning-18582989 He is saying reports that there have not that he has directly heard. Edit: he said suggested also Who knows but possibility is that they have been, it would seem to be outside the remit of the test, but let’s face it they appear to be stretching the test beyond its own rules as it is. As you said yourself a page or so back it's all about lining the ducks in a row. The announcements made this last week are a sure sign of that. Yeah I’m still positive think the biggest thing masters said the other week was ‘where looking for a positive reaction from Saudi Arabia re piracy’. Think where seeing that now, let’s hope the decision comes soon.

They won't knock it back on the human rights issue. Not only is it not part of the D&O test, but the Premier League's own government is directly trading with the Saudi state and encouraging investment. The announcements this week by the UK government were more than coincidence I agree they can’t block on this it would put them at odds with own government. However, they have been asking them questions on human rights apparently, whether that’s just a tick box exercise who knows. I’m sure masters would love to get a few prisoners released aswell though, he’d be an even bigger hero who cares if it takes a year to secure it, there’s no f***ing deadline anyway. Never seen or heard about that mind, everything which has been reported about the questions being asked is the piracy Can’t remember if it was Caulkin or Douglas but one of them did mention they’d been asked questions on human rights. Edit he mentions it in here. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-takeover-11-burning-18582989 He is saying reports that there have not that he has directly heard. Edit: he said suggested also Who knows but possibility is that they have been, it would seem to be outside the remit of the test, but let’s face it they appear to be stretching the test beyond its own rules as it is.

They won't knock it back on the human rights issue. Not only is it not part of the D&O test, but the Premier League's own government is directly trading with the Saudi state and encouraging investment. The announcements this week by the UK government were more than coincidence I agree they can’t block on this it would put them at odds with own government. However, they have been asking them questions on human rights apparently, whether that’s just a tick box exercise who knows. I’m sure masters would love to get a few prisoners released aswell though, he’d be an even bigger hero who cares if it takes a year to secure it, there’s no f***ing deadline anyway. Never seen or heard about that mind, everything which has been reported about the questions being asked is the piracy Can’t remember if it was Caulkin or Douglas but one of them did mention they’d been asked questions on human rights. Definitely not Caulkin and can't remember seeing anything from Douglass either. Why would they ask when it is not part of the D&O test. There is a reason Masters sent those polite fob off letters to the the fiance Just edited post above with link.