A lot of Newcastle United fans replied to a post from Steve Wraith that contains a picture of a fence around St James’ Park.
Wraith then sets out a few options for what it could mean, claiming that it could be to stop celebrations for when the proposed takeover of the Toon is announced, it could be to prevent protests if the PL block the takeover, or it could be because the stadium is generally unsafe.
He provides some more unlikely options in a follow-up tweet, but his initial post got many Newcastle fans talking, with many hoping it was indeed to do with the takeover.
For a minute did you think this was to do with the takeover?
No, what a daft suggestion
Yes, I thought it was about the takeover
Tbf the police did say this was a high risk game due to the #cans celebrations.
Clutching at straws I know…— Jack (@jchaytor16) July 23, 2020
Takeover incoming… ?
— Disco Dave (@DiscoDaveToon) July 23, 2020
I hope it’s the first option Steve.
— God Helpus (@GodHelpus1967) July 23, 2020
Hoping it’s option 1
— Totally NUFC (@TotallyNUFC) July 23, 2020
The real reason was confirmed by Lee Marshall, the Toon’s Head of Media, who said that it was a requirement to protect media and staff on matchdays.
There were some Toon fans who thought that it had something to do with crowds, though one suggested that the fact that people were speculating so much shows how much they want this takeover to go through.
You can tell how desperate we are now for this to through
— Neil Straker (@neil_straker) July 23, 2020
In all seriousness mate I just think it’s a request from the police for the Liverpool game simple as that no conspiracies from me to be fair
— Chris Cooper (@ChrisCo15220826) July 23, 2020
My heart says takeover my brain says keep out vandals
— Toon Man US (@us_toon) July 23, 2020
The deal for Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium to buy the Toon from Mike Ashley was agreed in April and handed to the Premier League for their required checks.
The process was expected to take up to four weeks, and here we are in late July, and still, the Premier League has made no decision on the proposed takeover.
There was a suggestion that the PL was going to make an announcement after Saudi Arabia announced a crackdown on piracy, but nothing happened.
The wait for an answer goes on, and it has now led to speculation like this.
Hopefully, the PL decides sooner rather than later.