Fans of Newcastle United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which shared footage of BeIN’s Richard Keys discussing the recent World Trade Organisation’s ruling with David Sugden.
The WTO ruling, which stated that Saudi Arabia ‘broke intellectual-property rules when it failed to crack down on pirated Qatari television broadcasts‘ has clouded the possibility of Newcastle United’s Saudi Arabian-backed takeover being approved.
On the topic, David Sugden, who is senior legal counsel and director of corporate affairs of the BeIN media group, claimed that the WTO ruling was nothing to do with Newcastle United, BeIN, or even political tensions between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but “world sport against a thief.”
When asked by Keys whether Sugden believed that the ruling would affect the takeover of Newcastle United, Sudgen stated that he “could not comment” on whether or not the takeover would be approved. However, he did state that if the bid was approved by the Premier League, they would be “letting the fox into the hen house.”
In reaction to Sugden’s comments, footage of which was shared on Twitter by BeIN Sports, fans of Newcastle flocked to have their say on the matter, with many suggesting that the interview was biased.
BeIN crying ???????????????????
— Scott (@scott__ward) June 17, 2020
Couldnt be more biased couldnt get no outside takes on this no?
— Lee Manvell (@lee88manvell) June 17, 2020
#bein interviewing #bein pic.twitter.com/7ABIA9cPBd
— TheSaudiCastle???? (@CastleSaudi) June 17, 2020
While these Newcastle fans have stated their belief that BeIN are clearly biased in this matter, as they are the company who raised the objection to the Newcastle takeover because of the alleged Saudi involvement in the BeoutQ service, it is hard to argue against the fact that the findings of the WTO could put Newcastle’s takeover bid in serious doubt.
Do you see the Premier League blocking the takeover now?
Yes
No
However, this does not appear to have worried the Newcastle fans, with many more taking aim at Richard Keys and BeIN.
How is it the highest court,its not even a legal body
— Ian Crowe (@iancr65) June 17, 2020
So much wrong with this.
— NICKY (@fORgEtMeAlWays_) June 17, 2020
Hairy hand crying
— GP (@GP18089407) June 17, 2020
Can’t stand keys but he brings controversy which will attract viewers ie. NUFC fans for example it bumps BeIN’s numbers which why he’s employed but honestly what on earth does Grey do???? Literally just stands there in a suit with the odd ‘yup’ ‘hmmmm’ ‘aye’. Expensive puppet
— Davie.C (@Davie260563) June 18, 2020
Spot on, he never said anything about stopping takeover even when Keys clearly prompted him. Amazing how this wasn’t a major issue to Keys and the rest before takeover talk. Keys has become an embarrassment, even to Gray!!
— John Magnay (@MagnayJohn) June 18, 2020
With no news yet from the Premier League regarding Newcastle’s takeover bid, it would appear as if the wait to find out whether or not the deal has been approved will continue for a little while longer yet.