NEWCASTLE’S £300million takeover is in serious doubt after the World Trade Organisation ruled that Saudia Arabia is behind pirate TV station beoutQ.
The Guardian claims a report to be published in June will reveal the station, which illegally streams live Premier League games, is Saudi-backed.
The Premier League apparently “made submissions against Saudi Arabia as part of the legal process.”
And chiefs have already received the report before it gets released in June.
The WTO say Saudi Arabia is in breach of international law.
And the ruling will cast huge doubt over the takeover of Newcastle, which is led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and backed by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
SunSport exclusively revealed on Sunday that the Premier League was set to give Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium the green light to take control of St James’ Park.
She was hoping to get an official word this week before rubber-stamping the deal on June 1.
It now remains to be seen if Newcastle do indeed get the finances they have desired for so long.
Should the takeover go through, Steve Bruce is not expected to be kept in the dugout.
And two men are thought to be in pole position to take charge of the dressing room.
The first is former boss Rafa Benitez, still loved by fans after his relegation survival miracles.
The other is ex-Spurs gaffer Mauricio Pochettino, who took his old side to last season’s Champions League final.
Among the players already being linked with a move to the North East are Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho and Juventus’ Gonzalo Higuain.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
