Liam Kennedy has been speaking on a recent edition of NUFC Matters with Steve Wraith about all things relating to Newcastle United.
One of the main topics of discussion during this episode was the proposed takeover of the Toon by PCP Capital Partners, PIF and the Reuben brothers, which was withdrawn in July.
Kennedy focused on the role of Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, who insisted that he couldn’t say anything about the owners’ and directors’ test while it was ongoing.
After the bid was withdrawn, he provided answers to the NUFC Trust about why the takeover failed.
However, Kennedy does not believe that he has much power and that the Premier League’s real power lies with a few clubs because they were involved in appointing Masters.
He said: “I think the stuff about Richard Masters is just a red herring.
“We all know he is not the power broker, he’s a puppet, effectively, and he’s been appointed in a puppetry position by teams at the top end of the division, according to reports elsewhere.
“I think everybody knows that these guys [Masters and chairman Gary Hoffman] aren’t the power of the Premier League.”
Do you think Masters has done something dodgy?
Yes, he is involved in something that has stopped this takeover
No, he has had no involvement
TIF Thoughts on Richard Masters and Liam Kennedy’s view on him…
A report released by The New York Times claimed that Masters was appointed by members of the so-called ‘big six’, which to us doesn’t look good.
What looks even worse for Masters and the Premier League is that Amanda Staveley claimed that teams such as Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool were against her firm’s takeover bid.
If they were involved in appointing Masters, then it could be argued that something untoward has gone on regarding the takeover.
That is what the legal action from Newcastle Consortium Supporters Limited (NCSL) is aiming to find out by demanding ‘transparency‘ from the Premier League.
Kennedy might not believe that Masters has much power, but we certainly think that he has some questions to answer over this takeover and the apparent influence of the ‘big six.’