Supporters of Newcastle United have been reacting to a claim from Sky Sports’ Keith Downie regarding the failed Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of the club.
According to Downie, the Premier League have told NUFC Supporters’ Trust (NUST) that the ‘door is still open’ to a potential takeover by the Saudi-backed consortium.
The reporter’s tweet went on to claim that the consortium has to either provide the ‘additional info requested’ or ‘go to arbitration’.
This tweet from Downie then had lots of Newcastle supporters flocking to it to air their responses to the claim.
The Premier League have told @nufctrust the door is still open to a potential takeover by the Saudi-backed consortium who walked away from talks 3 weeks ago. But the consortium need to either provide the additional info requested or alternatively go to arbitration #NUFCTakeover
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) August 20, 2020
The #PremierLeague #PL should have accepted / rejected with the info they had.
But they didn’t want to. They wanted to obstruct.
— The__Farmster (@The__Farmster) August 20, 2020
That’s it over
— colin millican (@mrminijeep) August 20, 2020
It was announced in late July that the Saudi Arabian-backed consortium had ended their £300m bid to take over the Toon from Mike Ashley (per BBC).
It was stated at the time that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF had run out of patience with the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test.
This must happen
— Paul Hewitt (@PaulHew03845348) August 20, 2020
It’s done and dusted we need to get over it
— chalkster nufc (@NufcChalkster) August 20, 2020
interesting https://t.co/WhCnW4RiCK
— jack (@JackMcneill1875) August 20, 2020
Following the news breaking that PIF had ended the bid to take over the club, a report from Chronicle Live stated that they ‘would be prepared’ to revisit the deal.
However, there were mixed reactions from supporters over whether the deal could be resurrected.
Do you think there is any hope left for the Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of Newcastle?
No, we need to move on
Yes, anything is possible
Fingers crossed ?? Les xxx
— NUFC52 (@NUFC52) August 20, 2020
Or tell the fan base it ain’t going to happen so we can get on with our life.
— JawZZ (@Craig17317552) August 20, 2020
I can’t ever see this happening, hope I’m wrong ?????
— Sarah Jayne (@dollylove20) August 20, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Newcastle supporters, some fans were hopeful following Downie’s tweet, however, others still believed that there was no chance for the takeover.