Whitley mag

New information (WHO report) has come to light though which may need to be taken in to account. That was also informal so they may have to wait for the published version (mid-June)? Maybe.... Why would they await the published version when they have already had the draft version for over 3 weeks? And what in your opinion would that suggest as to the reason into waiting for the published version? If there waiting for the published version, that would suggest it maybe is the smoking gun they’ve been waiting for. That will be there excuse to block it, and say to everyone look we had no choice. However, i really don’t think that’s the case. They will have trouble linking this directly to pif or nominated directors. Also I think at worst this report will only say they could have done more to stop piracy, but then couldn’t all governments be accused of that. Bottom line is if they want to pass it they can, and if they don’t I think it’s to do with more than piracy. Agree if they're waiting the published report, then it's to use the report as a reason to knock it back. The football lawyer article from earlier today indicated the links could not be directed to PIF. If this is the case and it's knocked back either due to the piracy (or any other reason) then I can see this being a legal minefield (even with the piracy), which could take a extreme length of time to sort, whilst leaving the club in total limbo. It pretty much takeover or bust for me. I can't bear the thought of going back to 30% possession football and no shots on target after being close to a different future. Ashley was awful before the takeover, can you imagine what he will be like if the takeover falls through? I'll miss match day for the occasion but I can't say I've enjoyed the football on show as most of the time it has been turgid! Walking up the hill just knowing its pretty futile as the toon don't really want to compete, total drains you after a while. I console myself by thinking of the money I’ll save if it falls through. Was looking forward to returning after an 11 year exile. It’s not only that though it’s what this could do for the city and whole area, it’ll be heartbreaking for a lot of people if it falls through. To me this directors test should be purely about who is better for this football club. Forget all the other shit going on around this, that’s all it should boil down to. How can the premier league look themselves in the mirror, and say Mike Ashley is better for this football club.

New information (WHO report) has come to light though which may need to be taken in to account. That was also informal so they may have to wait for the published version (mid-June)? Maybe.... Why would they await the published version when they have already had the draft version for over 3 weeks? And what in your opinion would that suggest as to the reason into waiting for the published version? If there waiting for the published version, that would suggest it maybe is the smoking gun they’ve been waiting for. That will be there excuse to block it, and say to everyone look we had no choice. However, i really don’t think that’s the case. They will have trouble linking this directly to pif or nominated directors. Also I think at worst this report will only say they could have done more to stop piracy, but then couldn’t all governments be accused of that. Bottom line is if they want to pass it they can, and if they don’t I think it’s to do with more than piracy.

No and it’s what Caulkin’s said from the start, it’s a two way discussion. If they were going to fail it they would have by now. They’re ensuring all bases are covered and it’s legally bottomed out. You could also argue after this time that if they were going to pass they would have done by now. Wouldn’t really listen to Caulkin anymore since all along he has said no red flags, when clearly the piracy issue is a big one. Depends on your definition of red flag I suppose. The fact there going back and forth would suggest it’s not a deal breaker, they might well be just seeking certain assurances. Regardless this Matty Longstaff situation just spells out how much we need this, as if we already didn’t know. The thought of being stuck with this lot makes me feel physically sick.

No and it’s what Caulkin’s said from the start, it’s a two way discussion. If they were going to fail it they would have by now. They’re ensuring all bases are covered and it’s legally bottomed out.

He also said they had been told 4 weeks in April. Looks to me what he's being told is probably assumptions made by his sources. It's been quite noticeable that all the bullish media banging the drum on checks completed, no red flags etc. etc. have started to backtrack the last couple of weeks. Didn't I tell you to relax and have a beer? Aye you did to be fair Caulkin has said all along there talking through things, they’ll come to a solution to suit everyone. Also the Premier League have been frustrated trying to take legal action in Saudi previously. There’s a good chance they are just returning the favour here, and making them wait and sweat it out.

*spirit of the forum*

That isn't an acceptable answer to the people involved in the transaction. The answer however was to Dan Roan of the BBC and I think is perfectly acceptable given the NDA's connected to the deal. Yeah I think it's more what he's able to put out there in that interview rather than how they're actually approaching the whole thing behind the scenes. Personally felt he should have just said no comment can't discuss instead of rambling on in both interviews as he did. 3rd choice for the job and it’s starting to show.

Al-Rumayyan is the Chairman of Aramco so if this takeover fails then there is no chance Aramco can complete a takeover, all issues (human rights, piracy etc) would be the same Al-Rumayyan is squeaky clean - he's not even part of the royal family, in fact he's Shi'ite (is that how it's spelled?). Strong recruitment by MBS in any case Imo, the main issue with PIF is that it is by definition state owned. It is funded and regulated by the country. So there will always be a direct link between PIF and the government even if MBS was not explicitly nominated as a Chairman. Was just thinking the other day Stavely’s husband is Iranian, certainly not an expert on the Middle East, but relations between Saudi and Iran never seem the best. Taking into account the hardline rule in Iran, I wonder how common it is for Iranians to deal with Saudis and Israelis. It maybe he just lives in UAE now and never ventures back, but you certainly can’t accuse this consortium of not being diverse.

Well George’s opinion is it will get the green light, safe to say buyers are still confident. Good enough for me.

Another day in takeover world the sun is shining it’s glorious outside, but we just know those scheming Qatari’s will have something up their sleeve today. After the corrupt back hand taking Martin Ziegler’s attempts yesterday, what can we expect today. I would guess Keys and Gray will be down Doha golf course today, after a few sherberts in the club house they’ll be bang up for a new video. So brace yourself for another shoot from keysy’s hotel room later, after a few beers and a bit sun stroke his rage for all things nufc and Saudi will be to much to resist.

Absolutely fu#%ing not, I’m still convinced some people don’t think this is real. If the Premier league knocked it back, I’m sure some would say it was just another fake over conspiracy. 13 years of Ashley has seriously fu#%ed with peoples minds.

Or more likely it is an entirely fabricated story which a journalist who has published pro-Qatari articles in the past has made up. It’s just a shame we have no journalists to really go after Ziegler here. I know journalists tend to stick together, but this bloke is clearly in their pockets. His article on Leeds and QSI is night and day compared to his views on this takeover.

Theres no doubting these Qatari fu#%ers are street wise when it comes to bribery and manipulating the press. It’s also clear someone at the fa or premier league have leaked this letter to the times. If the Saudi minister is right and they had the rights to show these games, there’s going to be someone looking a bit silly at the FA.

Not going to put a link up but if you google Ziegler Qatar, you’ll find a nice positive story on the Qataris buying leeds. There is no doubt this bloke has an agenda here.

Hard to read anything into that, apart from Swanson is just another Cnut to add to the list. His opening line of questioning was just as negative as Roans the week before. No recognition of our plight in all this, even a simple comment about how where all anxiously waiting would have been nice.

For some reason I couldn’t see them making Liverpool and Man U wait this long. There would be lobbying going on left, right and centre to get it done. They need to get there fu#%ing finger out, they’re starting to look small time at best, and incompetent at worst. This is a multi billion pound industry I can’t believe there aloud to drag there feet on a 300 million pound deal. Not only that the club is in limbo re players contracts, sponsorship and season ticket refunds. If this is not sorted by next week serious questions need asked, and the pressure ramped up.

Based in Manchester, socialist lefty leaning newspaper. Just to add insult to injury they employ a Mackem to cover us in the North East. Just a few reasons why they might not be in favour. It's not like. Founded in Manchester, their headquarters may now be in London, but they have an office on deansgate for northern stories. So technically yes there based in Manchester.

Based in Manchester, socialist lefty leaning newspaper. Just to add insult to injury they employ a Mackem to cover us in the North East. Just a few reasons why they might not be in favour.

Glorious morning in the Bay Area, sun bleaching down on the splendidly refurbished Spanish city. Qatari’s and keys reeling from the mirrors story last night. What a day for a takeover announcement, I fear we’ll have to wait a few more days though. Got me dreaming of 1st game back at St Janes though, giant wot flags banner unfurled from the gallowgate, big cartoon picture of the lovely Mandy with stilettos on, firmly planted on keys big red head. Kinky I know but what an image to greet our new owners.

Minhosa[/member] how many times have I said this to you? You’ve got to love how Craig Hope always comes up with the story, just after another paper has broke it first.

Have some of fu#%ing that Keysey.

Got no problem with that, where being stitched up by journalists everyday. Think they’d be the last profession I’d have any sympathy for, they’ve been making people’s life hell for years.

Not as simple as that, they will need to know where the 300 million is coming from, and all roads ultimately with this deal lead back to ruling family ie MBS.

But it was at the end of last week, if this process has told us anything it’s fluid.

Be interesting to see how much Qatar has bunged this committee to come to a conclusion in their favour. They certainly weren’t shy when it came to getting the World Cup.