Supporters of Newcastle United have been reacting to a Twitter post from Richard Keys regarding the proposed takeover of the club.
Early on Friday morning, the senior football anchor for BeIN Sports posted to social media casting doubt over an announcement being made on Friday (per Richard Keys).
He stated: ‘Events this week are the most likely reason why we shouldn’t now expect an announcement today on the Saudi Govt’s bid to buy Newcastle. Join the dots yourselves.’
The ‘events’ that Keys are likely referring to is the fact that Saudi Arabia banned BeIN Sports, which is the Premier League’s official Middle East broadcaster, from operating in their country earlier this week (per BBC).
This tweet from Keys had lots of Toon supporters flocking to it to air their views.
Events this week are the most likely reason why we shouldn’t now expect an announcement today on the Saudi Govts bid to buy Newcastle. Join the dots yourselves.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) July 16, 2020
It’s almost as if you never had a clue in the first place…?
— Jack ?? (@jchaytor16) July 16, 2020
Hahah unbelievable? it’s getting ridiculous at this point!
— Henrik Moksnes (@HenrikMoksnes) July 17, 2020
The tweet from Keys came just days after the presenter wrote on his blog that he had been ‘told it’ll [the takeover] happen Friday’ (per Richard Keys), which lots of fans mentioned.
Do you believe there will have been an announcement regarding the takeover by next week?
No, not going to happen
Yes, I think there might
Oh no I really, really thought you were right. I totally put all my faith in you Richard. I am totally crushed now ?
— ??Brian?? (@lNuFc4LiFel) July 17, 2020
I started having a wild takeover celebration party at midnight and it lasted a whole 12 minutes before I read this… Going to bed crying now.
— Sav Mondo (@SavMondo) July 16, 2020
00.24 and already backtracking. Brilliant
— Sam Walsh (@sam_w_182) July 16, 2020
Amanda Staveley’s interest in purchasing the club, with the backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), first arose in January (via Shields Gazette).
The takeover has been with the Premier League since the owners’ and directors’ test then began in April (per Daily Mail). Yet, a decision has still not been made.
When you posted your rubbish my thoughts which i posted were he is playing with us as he cant say anything positive about nufc or its fans. I’m genuinely embarrassed a grown man can be this bitter. Not necessary. Focus on finding a new job and hobby. Palm reading isn’t your thing
— Simon (@LittleHenryD) July 17, 2020
Richard, Richard, Richard…you never really knew anything at all about a Friday announcement in the first place did you? ? pic.twitter.com/piYne4nTb4
— Dan McMahon ?? (@DanMcmahonF1) July 16, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Newcastle fans, many were frustrated that Keys had suggested that the takeover would be done on Friday and then decided to backtrack.