Premier League ask Newcastle United fans for TWO-WEEK extension to respond to takeover legal claims

The Premier League have asked for a TWO-WEEK extension to respond to Newcastle United anti-competition law takeover claims.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Seven days ago, the league were issued with a ‘Letter Before Action’ in relation to their conduct in the owners’ and directors’ test, started after PCP Capital Partners, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and Reuben Brothers agreed a fee to buy the club – in the region of £300 million – with owner Mike Ashley.

The letter, on behalf of supporters Gordon Stein and Keith Patterson, asked for the Premier League to provide disclosure of certain documents relating to the Newcastle United takeover, which has dragged out since April.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The documents claimed the halting of the £300million deal to buy United was against UK anti-competition law.

A general view shows a rainbow overhead during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on November 1, 2020.A general view shows a rainbow overhead during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on November 1, 2020.
A general view shows a rainbow overhead during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on November 1, 2020.

And today the league replied to the letter – three hours before the 4pm deadline – via solicitors requesting more time to consider a detailed response.

The decision now lies with NCSL whether to grant the Premier League the further 14 days, which would take their response time to 21 days in total.

The matter is currently in the hands of NCSL’s legal representatives, whose legal case is being headed up by UK anti-competition specialist Robert O’Donoghue QC.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The group’s statement, released publicly with their legal letter last week, states: “

The statement reads: “Our plan is to seek maximum expedition of our case before a specialist competition law court, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). The CAT is a specialist judicial body with cross-disciplinary expertise in law, which hears and decides cases involving competition regulatory issues. We have asked the EPL and its members to cooperate in expediting this case due to the urgency involved.

“The CAT is willing to deal with urgent cases very quickly, with results in a handful of months. We also very much hope that the UK courts will appreciate the urgency of hearing a case very much in the public’s interest where ordinary members of the UK public are taking on the wealth and might of the EPL and its members and others. This impacts football fans across our country and the globe, not just Newcastle fans.”

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 NUFC coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

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