A lot of Newcastle United fans have replied to a post from NUFC 360, which has included a link to a report in the Evening Chronicle about the Toon’s proposed takeover.
The Chronicle claims that the Premier League could finally grant their approval for the takeover in the early part of this week after Saudi Arabia announced a major crackdown on piracy.
The country has declared that they will be shutting down 231 websites and threatening fines and prison sentences for those involved in any sort of piracy in Saudi Arabia.
This is seen as a major concession and exactly what the Premier League was looking for as it shows that the authorities are willing to act on the issue.
Do you think this is the week?
Yes, lots of positive signs
No, We have been here before
This has delighted these Toon fans, who feel that this is the week for the Toon’s takeover to be announced.
I honestly think it’ll be next week all these noises about buying rights for game piracy issue fixed right that was holding it up next week is the week I feel it
— JTNUFC (@JTNUFC20) June 21, 2020
Imminent
— ???????Harry??????? (@ftblHarryy) June 21, 2020
Now this is epic
— Alex W (@WesterosMagpie) June 21, 2020
Quite big statement if true
— Ginkoh_NUFC (@Ginkohro) June 21, 2020
Absolutely nothing to hold this up now! Needs to happen this week.
— Regular Chris (@ChrisTheRegular) June 21, 2020
The deal for Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium to buy Newcastle has been with the Premier League since April after a deposit was paid to Mike Ashley.
However, since then, concerns over piracy have held up the deal and caused serious threats to it happening at all.
This led to suggestions that Saudi Arabia would have to make some concessions such as unblocking BeIN Sports and shutting down pirate TV station BeoutQ.
Therefore, this feels like a big move by Saudi Arabia, as it appears as if they are making some concessions.
Bloomberg reported last week that BeIN Sports was now available in some Saudi cafes, and now it seems there is a concerted effort to crack down on piracy.
However, some Newcastle fans are still fearing the worst.
?Ok
— Darrell Watson (@DarrellWatson8) June 21, 2020
Not happening
— Lee wade (@Leewade53415979) June 21, 2020
This feels like a positive step forward for the proposed takeover of Newcastle, and we may finally have a resolution to this saga.
It remains to be seen if the Premier League reaches a decision this week, but this move by Saudi Arabia seems to be a positive one.