A lot of Newcastle United fans have flocked to a post from NUFC 360, which contains quotes from the Saudi Sports Minister on the proposed takeover of the Toon.
Speaking to the BBC, Prince Abdulaziz claimed that it was a ‘shame’ that the deal involving Saudi Arabia’s investment fund (PIF) didn’t go through, expressing his ‘disappointment‘ that it failed to pass and that he was ‘not really sure’ why it fell short, but concluded that he didn’t know what PIF’s plans were regarding the takeover – before adding that ‘if there’s an opportunity, they’d look into it.’
This post has drawn the attention of these Newcastle fans, who feel that the takeover is finished.
So, what did these Newcastle fans make of these comments?
It’s dead in the water unfortunately. Time to move on lads #nufc
— davidlabelle7 (@david_labelle) November 5, 2020
tbh it sounds a mill miles away rn
— Léw (@NUFC_LEW) November 5, 2020
So its over
— wewantsaudis (R.I.P milo ?) (@wewantsaudis) November 5, 2020
Time to put it to bed now
— Jeff (@jeffgarnett30) November 5, 2020
It’s off move on…..
— mr1234 (@onmyshoe) November 5, 2020
Do you think this is good news?
Yes, they still seem interested in the takeover
No, it looks off now
The deal involving PIF was withdrawn on 30th July with the Premier League not having made a decision on the deal.
The league then claimed that the deal collapsed because the consortium refused arbitration to settle one issue.
The problem the Premier League had was that they could not separate PIF from the Saudi state, and so offered arbitration to resolve the matter.
The consortium rejected this and the deal was withdrawn.
Now, a legal challenge has been launched by Newcastle Consortium Supporters Limited (NCSL).
They have rejected a plea from the league for more time to respond to the group’s appeal for information, so this looks to be heading to a Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).
This post continued to draw the attention of these Toon fans, some of whom are more positive.
Don’t know how so many ppl can look at this with such negativity. 1 he wanted it to happen 2 doesn’t know why it didn’t and 3 if it comes round again he’s sure the PIF will look at it.
Pts 2 & 3 are cos he has no dealings in how the PIF are ran. Correct stance #NUFCTakeover
— Jonathan Handley (@Jonhandley8888) November 5, 2020
I’m surprised more people don’t get why this is really put out there. They are clearly trying to create evidence or at least form to show they aren’t running the P.I.F. Its encouraging if anything to me! #nufc
— robert bourke (@atourdeforce1) November 5, 2020
The Saudi Sports Minister’s comments suggest that the takeover could be revived if there is an opportunity, and this legal challenge could yet represent one.
So we will have to see what happens next, but it is clear that many Toon fans are split over these comments from Abdulaziz.