Fans of Newcastle United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which Lee Ryder commented on a recent appearance of the Premier League chairman, Richard Masters, before a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.
According to Ryder, MPs did not question Masters on the failed Newcastle takeover bid during the meeting, despite being given a ‘clear opportunity’ to do so.
In Ryder’s article for Chronicle Live, the journalist stated that meeting was called in order for the Premier League chairman to ‘face questions on the future of football amid the pandemic’, however, that while the meeting ‘did not specifically aim to cover United’s collapsed takeover bid’, there was nothing from stopping MPs raising questions regarding the matter.
So, what did these Newcastle United fans have to say in reaction to Lee Ryder’s tweet?
#corrupt MP's paid for by the Big 6 and Qatar
— David J G (@DavidJG00615083) November 10, 2020
well that’s just typical ??
— craig colledge (@colledge) November 10, 2020
Moment lost! Government doesnt want to get involved
— Adam (@Adamyepthatsme) November 10, 2020
The proposed takeover of Newcastle United fell through back in July, when a consortium made up of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers, who had agreed a £300 million deal to purchase the club from Mike Ashley, withdrew their bid, citing the ‘unforeseeably prolonged process’ of their takeover attempt as the primary reason for them pulling out of the deal.
Do you believe the legal battle between Newcastle and the Premier League is the reason the takeover was not discussed?
Yes
No
In reaction to the failed bid, The Guardian reported that Ashley had instructed a legal team to ‘represent the club in their dispute with the Premier League’ regarding their ‘rejection of [the] Saudi-led takeover based on its owners’ and directors test’.
And, some Newcastle fans appear to believe that this could be a reason as to why MPs failed to raise the takeover in their recent meeting with Masters.
Maybe because of the impending legal action.
— Delboy E ???? (@dedwards1892) November 10, 2020
It’s a legal battle lee, pretty sure it can’t be discussed out in the open
— Sean (@SeanReesNUFC) November 10, 2020
I think its possibly due to the pending legal action
Quite possibly masters already told them wouldnt answer any question on it
Hence not one did— locallad (@northernoutlaw) November 10, 2020
All in all, it would appear that opinion amongst Newcastle fans is rather split in reaction to Ryder’s tweet, as some seem outraged by the fact their club’s failed takeover was not raised, while others believe the fact the subject was not discussed is down to the legal battle between the club and the Premier League.