Newcastle United takeover: Timeline of events as Mike Ashley launches fresh legal challenge against the Premier League
By Liam Kennedy
Published 7th May 2021, 09:14 BST
Updated 7th May 2021, 09:56 BST
The Newcastle United takeover is a never-ending saga as Mike Ashley battles the Premier League to approve the Amanda Staveley-led takeover.
It’s been over a year since PCP Partners, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the Reuben brothers agreed to buy the Magpies for £300million before the EFL refused to approve the deal.
But this takeover speculation started well before the Saudi-bid when Ashley again put the club up for sale in October 2017.
From the first beginnings to the very latest – scroll and click through the pages to see our takeover timeline:
From the first beginnings to the very latest – scroll and click through the pages to see our takeover timeline:
29. July 30th, 2020 - PIF back out after Premier League delay
Following months of waiting for a decision by the Premier League, which included allegations of piracy and doubts over the Saudi state and PIF being separate entities, PIF announce they have ended their bid to buy Newcastle: "Ultimately, during the unforeseeably prolonged process, the commercial agreement between the Investment Group and the club's owners expired and our investment thesis could not be sustained," read a statement. Photo: ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO
30. September 9th, 2020 - Newcastle confirm takeover is rejected
In a statement released by Newcastle United, it is claimed the Premier League have rejected the takeover bid made by PCP Capital Partners, the Reuben Brothers and PIF based on its Owners and Directors test. It strongly adds: “The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately in relation to this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them.” Photo: Ian MacNicol
31. September 14th, 2020 - Mike Ashley employs two top QCs
Mike Ashley is determined to push through a takeover and prepares to take legal action against the Premier League by hiring two top QCs in Shaheed Fatima and Nick De Marco. Despite PIF’s decision to walk away from the table, all three parties remain committed to a deal, if they can get approval. Photo: AFP Contributor
32. November 19th, 2020 - Newcastle United issue arbitration proceedings
Newcastle United confirm they have issued arbitration proceedings against the Premier League in regards to the stalled PIF, PCP and Reuben Brothers takeover. "The Club makes no comment on the substance of the arbitration, but it can confirm that it has issued arbitration proceedings against the EPL.” Photo: Carl Court