Whitley mag

Ignore the first part of this article as clearly Bentalab coming back could only be considered as not positive. However, on the theme of Middle East relations, takeover observers are apparently watching developments. In returning for stopping the blockade of Qatar, let’s hope the piracy argument can be buried and take that out the equation. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/revealed-former-player-offered-back-19403503

As this is the positive takeover thread, the biggest impact regarding Qatar would be the reinstatement of bein in Saudi Arabia. I’m not saying that will happen, however it could potentially be a game changer in relation to takeover. By linking the state to pif the PL were clearly trying to bring the takeover down over piracy, this would remove that obstacle.

I have little doubt that we would have heard a little something from Mimms this week if IMTTS hadn't been such a self satisfied dickhead. Must admit I haven’t quite understood what’s gone on there, but agree it would be nice to get Mimms back on board. I think we all enjoy the itk stuff, and it’s a shame if one person has spoilt it for the rest of us.

Glad to see this thread bumped again, hopefully it brings us some good luck before xmas. Just listened back to Liam Kennedy on Tuesdays podcast, he specifically stated “significant legal movement by this weekend”. Now this must have related to NCSL so was definitely expecting some sort of update today. Could be a number of reasons nothings broke today, but think we’ll hear something from these lads in very near future.

I would not be in the least bit surprised if he returned with a bit of a bang in the near future.

The trouble now is I’m struggling with what the PL actually is, who would want this razzmatazz ? If you consider the PL is 20 stakeholders, who out of the 19 clubs wants us to be filthy rich, and ambitious ? Would the PL board want us to be successful, if they were truly interested in the growth of the league then you would say yes. However, the top 6 seem to hold all the power and make no mistake Masters and Hoffman are aware who put them in place. I would say at this point it’s clear Fenway, Woodward, Levy and Bruce Buck at Chelsea are running the show. Therefore, I just can’t see where we have any allies within the PL for this takeover, hence why anti competition rules are clearly being breached and an independent body should be appointed to deal with ownership.

Let’s see tomorrow if there’s something from NCSL on this, the PL said they couldn’t afford legal action. If mimms was right and the buyers are funding them they might get a nasty shock.

100% This is all just noise! PL don't seem rattled all and feel very comfortable with their case. The positivity has 100% left the building. I'm not trying to look at it from a negative standpoint to be honest. I would just love to know that the effort that everyone from the buying side is putting in, is having some effect. Just to play devils advocate would the PL trying to now obstruct the arbitration process not suggest they’re not 100% confident in their position. I still maintain if the PL were that confident they would have rejected deal instead of just delaying and kicking it down the road.

It seems Nick de Marco is rallying every option available to put pressure on the premier league. The Chronicle, the fans (NCSL), MP's, himself and whoever else... What’s really starting to rile me is the fact PL claimed they offered arbitration, however as we all know this was purely a delaying tactic on their part. Now the club wants arbitration I’m presuming on the whole process, there trying to delay and hinder the process by all accounts. When all parties including the most important people ourselves want this to happen, it fucking stinks to high heaven the lengths they are going to stop it happening. I’m hoping the NCSL’s next action is to begin legal action, the PL seem to think they can block them doing this but maybe this can be the David v Goliath case that brings it all tumbling down.

Hatrick of posts reply from Alan Campbell. Good morning Thank you for contacting me regarding Newcastle United, the failed takeover bid and the actions of the EPL. I do share your concerns about this matter, in particular ‘Project Big Picture’, which could see the Premier League reduced by two teams, more power given to the 'big six' clubs and the League Cup and Community Shield abolished. As you may be aware last year the Government promised to set up a fan-led review of football governance, which will include the owners’ and directors’ test. I believe the Government needs to get started on this review as soon as possible, so we can deliver a governance structure for football that is modern, accountable and above all, puts fans at the heart of their clubs. As part of this review, I believe it will be important to consider who should be able to own a football club, as well as what information ought to be in the public domain regarding ownership, finance and structure. With specific regard to NUFC and the NCSL action, again I share your concerns. I have recently written as requested to the CEO of the EPL and the Sports Minister to raise your concerns and I will of course contact you again upon receiving a response. Best wishes Alan Sent on behalf of Alan Campbell MP

Sounds like these meetings between PL and govt might be another angle of attack in any legal action. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mps-nust-call-further-newcastle-19395579

Newcastle Consortium Supporters · 1h Well done NUST’s Greg Tomlinson joining fans demanding answers from govt & Richard Masters! Well done to @ChronicleNUFC for blowing more holes in a fictional fairytale! UNITED as a fanbase demanding transparency and expedition! Black #NUFC #NUFCTakeover

I might have thought that had I not listened to him the other night. He definitely said there’d be movement I’m presuming by NCSL by weekend.

Just caught up with the FOI today and really can’t see anything to be negative about. No govt department will officially be seen to interfere in this decision, also I’m quite sure in no way have they acted to prevent it. It would be against the govts policy in relation to Saudi and why would they not want inward investment at anytime, yet alone in current climate. On a positive note the below tweet seems to indicate that there may be some sort of development with legal action tomorrow, Kennedy mentioned on wraiths podcast that there would be a development before weekend. alik_NUFC @MalikNufc · 7h @LiamJKennedy23 @stevewraith after today’s press releases would you say the takeover is game over or is there still hope? I’m wading through many negative responses on here not sure what to believe. Liam Kennedy @LiamJKennedy23 Replying to @MalikNufc and @stevewraith Such negativity around this - and I am interested to know why? The deal is where it was yesterday, and likely a little behind where it will be tomorrow.

Would love for some real investigative journalist to expose the level of interference going on from top 6, and expose the corruption preventing this takeover. Liam Kennedy @LiamJKennedy23 Replying to @TOONRafalution and @MupMurphy1 Hopeful. But realistic. Confident they've got a good chance. But also confident the PL and its power clubs will fight tooth and nail to deny it. Their legal team certainly are. 10:49 pm · 2 Dec 2020·Twitter for Android Toon_TX #ApproveTheSale #FansDeserveBetter 7h Replying to @LiamJKennedy23 @TOONRafalution and @MupMurphy1 Surely fighting tooth & nail to deny it would be completely against the rules of the OD test & competition laws & would implicate those clubs further? You’d think they’d take a step back now it’s gone ‘legal’..? 1 Liam Kennedy @LiamJKennedy23 7h Not if it is all hidden away, behind closed doors.

Liam Kennedy on Wraiths podcast said he expects some legal movement on takeover before weekend, never expanded on it but would imagine must be something to do with NCSL.

More evidence of the incompetent s*** show in operation at the training ground. Absolutely no surprise where the first club to postpone a fixture, the whole set up from top to bottom is 3rd rate.

Clearly the Qatari’s have bought this for a laugh in the event takeover is approved.

Get Simon Bird on there his coverage of the takeover was fucking abysmal, convinced he’s a mackem bastard.

There’s 2 legal cases ongoing with the aim of moving this forward. From what I’ve understood the buyers/Ashley hope this might get resolved before cases are heard due to PL having to disclose incriminating evidence. They’re obviously confident there has been outside influences in the process, I’m inclined to believe they’re correct due to evidence from PBP, previous no red flags, and active lobbying by rival clubs confirmed by Staveley and also reputable national journos such as Henry Winter. Now if national journalists were aware of certain clubs lobbying, I’m inclined to think the PL will be nervous as it’s clearly common knowledge what has gone on. Basically chill out mate, I’m as impatient as anybody but as others have said quiet is not a bad thing and we shouldn’t be expecting a running commentary. It’s only due to the great work of NCSL that we are seeing public pressure being applied. However, don’t mistake their public messages as desperation, as it appears all part of a concerted and coordinated effort involving buyers and sellers.

How fucking frustrating is it, where literally a signature and bank transfer away from dreamland. There has to be something seriously wrong when we have a buyer, seller and fanbase desperate for this to happen, and a bunch of corrupt bastards sitting in London have the power to just block it without being held accountable. “There is still a feeling within the buyers camp that this pressure will yield a result and there is a determination not to be caught on the hop if there is sudden movement."

If you were having trouble with sending an MP letter the other day, this link makes it a piece of piss. http://londonmagpiegroup.co.uk/nufc-v-premier-league

Yeah I’m not doubting the poster, not that he probably gives a shit whether I am or not. However, PIF seems to have a lot of areas of business and a lot of people working there will only have the company line. If everyone remembers the dear old Professor Chadwick, he continually claimed sources at PIF were saying they had no interest in NUFC. As we all know he was spectacularly wrong and not even the Ronny Gill bother him for quotes anymore.

Not having a go at previous poster, as love to hear any itk stuff. However, all signs point to them still being very much at table and ready to move. I’m sure PIF’s official line is quite different to the real situation, and multiple sources have confirmed they’re ready to complete deal once PL pass test. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/revealed-behind-scenes-move-newcastle-19359905

Big exclusive If this is true, suggests government are set to intervene in governance of football. https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/exclusive-newcastle-united-takeover-roadblock-likely-removed-government-fan-led-review-set-blunt-project-big-picture-3050973