Newcastle United's £300m Saudi-led takeover hit by fresh delay

The Saudi Arabia-backed deal is currently going through Premier League checks after a £300million agreement was struck with Mike Ashley.

But the tests have been delayed, due in part to the coronavirus pandemic, but primarily due to investigations into piracy allegations against the Saudi state.

Concerns were raised by BEIN Sports last month, and the Guardian now claim that additional legal documents have been passed to the Premier League in the last 24 hours.

They claim that Premier League lawyers are now reviewing information which is said to establish a ‘firm link’ between the Saudi government and a pirate TV and streaming service – which provides illegal access to the Premier League via the BeoutQ platform.

There are concerns that this would represent a breach of the Premier League’s owners and directors test, but sources told the Guardian they remain ‘very hopeful’ that a deal will be struck.

However, given the complex nature of the information received, the report suggests that the takeover is now unlikely to be approved this week.

This represents a further delay to a takeover arrangement which was hoped to be concluded by the month.

Amanda Staveley and the Reuben Brothers are set to take a minority stake in the deal, representing 10 per cent each, with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) taking an 80 per cent shareholding of the club.