Newcastle United Supporters Trust issue strong message after shock takeover development

‘We deserve better.’
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

That was the simple message from the Newcastle United Supporters Trust after it was revealed the arbitration case between the club and the Premier League will now not be heard until ‘early 2022’.

The takeover saga has seen delay after delay and fans have had enough.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a strongly worded statement they said: “Newcastle United and our fans continue to be let down by people in positions of power. We deserve better.”

Monday evening’s shock news put Newcastle back in the national spotlight following the latest takeover twist involving PCP Partners, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the Reuben brothers.

A joint statement from Newcastle United and the Premier League read: "The parties attended a hearing today in the case between Newcastle United and the Premier League.

"The main hearing of the arbitration has regrettably now been adjourned until early 2022 due to issues with the disclosure of evidence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The parties will be making no further comment at this time."

The full Trust statement read: “This evening it was announced that the arbitration case between Newcastle United and the Premier League has been adjourned until early 2022 due to issues with the disclosure of evidence.

"In our view it is unacceptable that Newcastle United has been left in a state of limbo for 15 months by the Premier League’s opacity regarding the Owner and Director’s Test, and what actually happened last summer. Another delay of at least six months reinforces the need for transparency across all aspects of this situation.

"In a scenario where the owner, the buyers, and the majority of the Newcastle United fan base want this deal to proceed (96.7% of Trust Members stated they were in favour of this takeover when polled), we are disappointed to see that further obfuscation is taking place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We believe that this entire saga emphasises the need for fundamental reform of football governance in the UK, and we will continue to explore all legitimate avenues available to the Trust to call for transparency in not just this issue but in all matters affecting our club.

"Newcastle United fans want this takeover because we want to believe in our club again, we want a club that competes, we want a club that tries to improve every single day and strives for sporting excellence. We don’t demand a team that wins; we demand a club that tries.

"That has not been the case at Newcastle United for a long time. The prospective buyers’ vision for Newcastle United is why the majority want this takeover to go ahead. Last Summer Richard Masters told the Trust that the Premier League’s role was to protect Newcastle United; we believe we deserve to see evidence of how they are achieving this.

"While we also await the outcome of the ongoing Competition Appeals Tribunal Case (CAT) a resolution needs to be found to allow a decision on this takeover to be made as soon as possible to allow Newcastle United to prosper.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The summer transfer window is also critical and the incumbent owner (and management) at Newcastle United must ensure the playing squad is strengthened sufficiently. Relegation to the Championship could be catastrophic.

"Newcastle United and our fans continue to be let down by people in positions of power. We deserve better.”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor