NEWCASTLE’S takeover bid could meet opposition from the Premier League over Saudi Arabia’s alleged major piracy issue.
Controversial owner Mike Ashley is closing in on finally selling the club to a mega-rich Saudi-based consortium in a £300million deal.
Newcastle’s takeover bid could hit a late snag over a piracy issueCredit: PA:Press Association
The huge-money move is being funded by the Saudi royal family including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
But it is likely to hit obstacles before a deal goes through because of their involvement in pirate TV.
According to the Times, there has been an ongoing row involving the Premier League following the alleged Saudi involvement in pirate broadcaster BeoutQ.
The channel allegedly rips content from Qatari-based channel BeIn Sports and sells to customers at a discounted price.
Last July, the Premier League joined forces with Fifa and Uefa to take action against BeoutQ and called the Saudi government to take “swift and decisive action.”
The Premier League are unlikely to make a statement until they get informed that the takeover has reached an advanced stage.
According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, he is confident that the deal will go through.
He said in a Q&A: “It is looking very likely this time. Keen to see how the owners and directors test goes, with concerns about Saudi human rights record and also their (major) issue with the Premier League on piracy.”
The move is being funded by the Saudi royal family including Crown Prince Mohammed bin SalmanCredit: EPA
The Saudi-based consortium is led by business tycoon Amanda Staveley.
A key document indicates Ashley is so keen to complete a sale he is ready to lend money to Staveley, the financier fronting the takeover, so she can fund her ten per cent share.
It is understood the Premier League is in the process of conducting the owners and directors test on the Staveley-led group — the final hurdle before the transaction could proceed.
Trevor Sinclair is excited about the Newcastle Utd take over from Saudi consortium involving Mohammed bin Salman
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
