Premier League supremo reacts to damning WTO report ahead of Newcastle United takeover decision

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) today concluded that drew a link between the Saudi state and beoutQ, a pirate TV station which has illegally broadcast Premier League games.

“Qatar has established that Saudi Arabia has not provided for criminal procedures and penalties to be applied to beoutQ despite the evidence establishing prima facie that beoutQ is operated by individuals or entities under the jurisdiction of Saudi Arabia,” the report concludes.

The WTO report has heaped more pressure on the Premier League as it considers a proposed takeover of Newcastle United which is 80% funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

Masters, the Premier League’s chief executive, was asked about the issue by Sky Sports. He said: “We take piracy very seriously. We stand by what we said in the past. In relation to takeovers, I can’t say anything about the substance or timing.”