Newcastle United

Newcastle United: Thomas Horton discusses the club’s proposed takeover

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Image for Newcastle United: Thomas Horton discusses the club’s proposed takeover

Thomas Horton, also known as @TheFootballLaw on Twitter, has been on the latest edition of the Everything is Black and White podcast to talk about the latest developments in the proposed takeover of Newcastle United.

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A nice easy one to start off with. Who scored Newcastle's opening goal of the 2020/21 PL season?

Horton discussed all aspects of the proposed takeover after it was announced that Mike Ashley has appointed two lawyers to help in a dispute with the Premier League over the matter.

One of the points that came up while Horton was discussing this subject was the statement that Newcastle released last week and particularly the point on PIF and the Saudi state being separate.

It seems as if Horton is pleased to see Newcastle back up the claims that the Saudi state and PIF are separate, and it looks like they are really pushing that point – which was something the Premier League disagreed with.

He said: “I was very glad, and I suppose in some respects relieved, to see as well that Newcastle themselves have received legal opinion and other documents to support the point that PIF is autonomous from the Saudi government.

“For me, that was a significant point to note that Newcastle are really pushing that they are autonomous and separate from the Saudi government.”

Do you think there was enough evidence to show that PIF and the Saudi state are separate?

Yes, the Premier League are just refusing to pass the deal

Yes, the Premier League are just refusing to pass the deal

No, otherwise the takeover would have passed

No, otherwise the takeover would have passed

TIF Thoughts…

Newcastle claimed in their official statement last week that the Premier League had officially rejected the club’s proposed takeover by PCP Capital Partners, the Reuben brothers and PIF.

In the statement, Newcastle suggested they had provided ‘overwhelming evidence‘ that proved PIF and the Saudi government were separate.

However, in the Premier League’s view, that was not the case, and they asked for more information or offered arbitration to settle that point.

The consortium refused and the bid was withdrawn, but it seems as if the club are still pushing that point, and Horton is pleased to see this as he believes PIF and the Saudi state are indeed separate entities.

Ashley, though, is not settling for the Premier League’s decision, and it looks as if he could be preparing for a legal battle following the appointment of two lawyers, with the intention to force through the takeover.

So, this saga could take yet another twist in the next few days and weeks.

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