I'm interested to see what went on whatever happens, but I personally don't think that anyone will ever find out. The club obviously has things the premier league are desperate to keep hidden from the public, but is it anything serious? If it is and vat goes ahead I think the takeover happens and we never know.
Sheffield United's former Saudi Chairman has blown the lid on it and handed the evidence over which was then backed up by other clubs (want to say West Ham and Leicester but not sure). Pretty much that Richard Masters was hand picked as their puppet chairman, that he conducted private meetings with just those clubs the day prior to PL board meetings and members meetings and that it was so any wishes, concerns, recommendations they (big 6 clubs) wished to have addressed would be prioritised.
The thing is though that if the premier league suddenly reaches an agreement wouldn't people ask wtf went on after that? Surely it won't look good for them either way now? Either way they'll look dodgy.
They will do, I'm fully expecting some bullshit that all parties will toe the company line with along the lines of "Saudi Arabia previously had no laws in the country to combat IP theft, they have made great strides over the last 18 months as a result and that's all we ever wanted."
The PL are ****ting it. They were told by the chairman of CAT that they could no longer delay. Arbitration was apparently adjourned pending the outcome of CAT.
It'll be so newcastle if they get the agreement from the premier league but then get relegated and PIF walk away
No because if there's something big in it then the premier league will have a change of heart if they fail to get it thrown out
You’ve also said it’s off, it’s on, it’s off, it’s on. In fact I think you’ve covered every single option at one time or another but I, at least, have noted your comment.
I said it was on before sky sports reported and my position changed throughout based on the bits coming out. If you'd paid attention I've held the same position for ages mate
From what I understand with CAT and how they operate, this is simply a hearing to decides if CAT have authority in this case. Guessing that is why its St James' Holdings V EPL rather than NUFC V EPL. NUFC might have to adhere to the PL secret society code but MASH and St James' Holdings don't. Assuming it gets the green light (Big Assumption but I'm an optimist) then the PL get a period of time to make a defence case to the CAT. St James' holdings have already made their case on the application. If CAT decide there is a case to answer a date will then be arranged (could be 12 months away). At that point both parties will have a period to request evidence from the other. Some people say PL will just say it doesn't exist - if they do that, and the club has evidence it does then its a criminal offence and CAT will throw the book at PL. It's up to the PL to prove their innocence. If the club can prove just 1 point of anti-competitive behaviour then they win the whole case. Its up to PL to prove they have acted in a fair and correct manner in all points, not just most points. From what Keith (I know some can't stand the bloke) said, the club don't have evidence of just 1 piece of evidence of anti competitive behaviour that would win the case they have closer to 10 pieces of evidence and that is before they have their teams going through all the PL e-mails relating to it. There is no way the PL are going to allow any of this stuff out, it will be a done deal and they will rely on the new owners playing ball and keeping good relations.
The initial hearing is yes. If it goes ahead into a full blown hearing under Competition law then the PL are in trouble.
From what I was reading, Masters isn't the problem. It was at the point of being rubber stamped until the other ex Bein sports ****wit decided to start his role 1 month early and block it - hence why Richard Keys deleted all his tweets.
I would be much more comfortable with someone riding the ducking horse who knows how to ride one. Points on the board needed ASAP. Or it’s over. Bruce’s lasting legacy is going to be epic one way or another.