A lot of Newcastle United fans have replied to a tweet from Lee Ryder that includes a link to an article he has produced on an HMRC investigation into the club.
The investigation began three years ago, and financial fines and points deductions could be handed out if they are found guilty by HMRC.
In 2017, Lee Charnley was detained and questioned on the financial activity at St. James’ Park, but the latest figures from Newcastle show that the investigation is still ongoing.
This has drawn the attention of these Toon fans, who blame one man for all of this.
One fan claimed that he didn’t understand how Mike Ashley was a successful businessman because of all the inept decisions he has made in his time as owner of the Toon.
Does this concern you?
Yes
No
And people wonder why we want Ashley gone !!!! #nufctakeover
— blackandwhiteblood (@cll2209) May 30, 2020
How this man has managed to be such a successful business man, considering how inept his decisions are. This investigation is against the activities of certain individuals and not #nufc It’s no wonder the takeover is taking so long! #NUFCTakeover
— Paul (@Paul23106948) May 30, 2020
Hate how its NUFC its Ashley and his THIEFS get him fined and jailed
— ToonBarmy2 (@Barmy2Toon) May 30, 2020
Ashley was not questioned about this situation, but it appears that many Newcastle fans feel that he is to blame for it.
Other Newcastle supporters believe that this is why the proposed takeover is taking so long to complete.
This is a new one to add to the list of delays ???
— ??????????Ian eglintine?????????? (@IanIan11egg) May 30, 2020
Operation Loom is known and part of the due diligence.
— Barry J Ingham (@BarryJIngham1) May 30, 2020
Why the takeover is so complicated??
— Fareez Mohd (@FareezMohd3) May 30, 2020
Newcastle have been in the middle of a takeover attempt by Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium for a while now after a deposit was paid to Ashley.
However, concerns over Saudi Arabian links to piracy, in particular, a station called BeoutQ, have delayed the whole process.
Though an announcement was expected today, nothing has happened yet.
Therefore, we totally understand why many Toon fans feel that this could be causing delay because it probably feels like everything is at the moment.
Complaints have arrived from BeIN Sports and Amnesty International, to name but a few.
There is no mention in Ryder’s report that this has anything to do with the takeover, but if they are found guilty and the league take action, then Newcastle could be in some trouble at some point in the future.