Discussion around Newcastle Consortium Supporters Limited’s (NCSL) letter before action to the Premier League, in relation to their alleged breach of UK anti-competition law in their refusal to approve the Saudi-backed Newcastle United takeover, dominated the latest edition of NUFC Matters, which was hosted by Steve Wraith and featured journalist Liam Kennedy.
The takeover in question is said to be worth £300m and it was brokered between current Toon owner Mike Ashley and a consortium consisting of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben brothers.
Amanda Staveley of the PCP Capital Partners firm was vocal in her displeasure with the Premier League’s refusal to approve their takeover bid during the summer. She spoke to The Athletic to slam the Premier League for making it “so hard” to get the deal done and she said their handling of the takeover bid was “ridiculous.”
Given her outspokenness during the summer, it may be understandable that Kennedy was asked why Staveley has not commented on NCSL’s case against the English top-flight, to which he responded:
“They can’t be spouting off saying this, that and the other, because this is a live case. They’ve got their own legal teams working on this behind the scenes as well, remember – so nobody’s going to try and prejudice any potential case that could come to fruition.
“So it’s no surprise that they’re quiet, and I’m sure when the time is right for these people to speak, they will speak – as they did in the summer.”
Do you think Staveley is preparing a case against the Premier League?
YES
NO
TIF Thoughts on what Kennedy had to say about Staveley…
From what the journalist had to say, it’s clear that he believes the reason for Staveley’s silence on the NCSL case is that those who are involved in this takeover bid, such as Staveley, are preparing their own cases against the English top-flight should this one not succeed in helping to get the takeover done.
It may be understandable if Staveley is simply being careful with her words so as not to jeopardise her own legal case, if she is, indeed, preparing one and as a result, perhaps – as Kennedy said – it’s no surprise that she has been silent on this case.
If Kennedy is right in what he suggested with regard to Staveley preparing her own case against the Premier League, then this may mean that even if NCSL’s case is unsuccessful in helping the Saudi-backed Toon takeover on its way to completion, the English top-flight might have more battles to fight over this takeover beyond this one.