STEVE BRUCE claims the Premier League’s big-hitters tried to block Newcastle’s bid to join the super-rich elite.
The Toon Army saw a £305million Saudi Arabia-funded takeover deal collapse last summer.
It was alleged in a tribunal on Wednesday that the league had been ‘improperly influenced’ by jealous major clubs while a seven-day arbitration hearing on the takeover will start on January 3.
Bruce said he had not watched the tribunal but when asked if other clubs tried to scupper the move, he replied: “It wouldn’t surprise me. You wouldn’t want another big player on the patch, would you?”
Meanwhile Bruce says he is bored by Newcastle’s on-off takeover saga — but still managed a light-hearted moment on the contentious issue yesterday.
The Toon manager is trying desperately not to be distracted by the club’s ownership talk which has dragged on for the last couple of years.
Bruce is in the serious business of picking up results for his under-pressure 17th-placed Premier League side, starting at Wolves today.
But on the eve of the visit to Molineux, Bruce provided an entertaining exchange on Wednesday’s Competition Appeal Tribunal.
During a bizarre exchange with a journalist at his pre-match press conference, Bruce initially claimed he hadn’t watched the tribunal.
But the Geordie ended up quizzing reporters over the hearing — even asking who Newcastle’s QC was.
When the journalist answered, light-hearted Bruce was quick to tell the journalist he was incorrect and seemed to be more aware of the events than he was letting on.
In serious matters, Newcastle’s legal team at the tribunal claimed the Premier League ‘abused its position’ and was unfairly influenced by ‘major clubs’ and the broadcaster beIN Sports — allegations refuted by Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.
A week-long arbitration hearing scheduled for early January is expected to give a ruling on whether the deal can be resurrected, as owner Mike Ashley looks to bring the curtain down on his stormy 14-and-a-half-year Toon reign.
The hearing will rule whether the Saudi Arabian state would effectively become a director at St James Park — making it subject to the Premier League’s ownership and directors’ test.
Newcastle’s lawyers will argue the Saudi Public Investment Fund is independent, despite being headed by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman — who rules over a state where there is still no legal way to watch £400million official Premier League right holder beIN Sports.
Bruce admitted: “It seems a bit complicated to me. To be brutally honest, I’ve not got a clue. It’s an on-going saga which has become boring and I just switch off.
We’ve played well but you come under pressure quickly in this job… we need to win a couple of matches to let the noise quieten down.
Steve Bruce
“There’s nothing I can do about it because it was on-going years before I arrived. My job is to win football matches and focus on the team and how we are going to play, that’s the focus of my energies.
“If it benefits the club that a takeover happens and it is good for Newcastle, then great, because I only want what’s best for this club and I will never make it an excuse.”
The Magpies go in search of their first win of the season at Wolves today with only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone after three draws from their first six games.
Newcastle are unbeaten in their six Premier League visits to Molineux, and ahead of his 999th game in management, Bruce added: “There are only a couple of points separating the teams at the bottom.
“We’ve played well, but you come under pressure quickly in this job.
“Performances have been decent but we need to win a couple of matches to let the noise quieten down.
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“Yes, 100 per cent I’m not going anywhere. It helps having the club’s backing.
“The reassurances I had really helped last season — but I can’t take that for granted.”
Joe Willock is available again after a toe injury, but Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles, Martin Dubravka and Jonjo Shelvey are all sidelined.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
