A Newcastle fans group has claimed Prime Minister Boris Johnson supports their calls for the Premier League to provide a statement on the club’s collapsed takeover.
Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund (PIF) and a consortium of businessmen pulled out of a protracted £300million takeover at the end of last month, leaving the club’s fans furious.
The PIF criticised the “prolonged process” for their decision to walk away and the Premier League have refused to comment on the matter.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom @BorisJohnson has today supported calls by the Independent Football Ombudsman asking the @premierleague to make a statement regarding the takeover of Newcastle United.— NUFC Supporters Trust (NUST) (@nufctrust) August 7, 2020
Over 6,000 Newcastle United Supporters Trust members wrote to their local MPs, who have also urged the Premier League for transparency.
The Independent Football Ombudsman, set up by the Football Association, the Premier League and the Football League to investigate complaints, said it had advised the Premier League to release a statement.
The NUST said on Twitter: “The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson has today supported calls by the Independent Football Ombudsman asking the Premier League to make a statement regarding the takeover of Newcastle United.
“The PM stated, in an email of our members that ..”agree with their conclusion that the Premier League should make a statement on this case. I am pleased that the Ombudsman has committed to advising the Premier League to provide a statement.”
Board member Linda Bush made an appearance on BBC Look North this evening to discuss the current situation regarding the takeover at Newcastle United, and the steps the Newcastle United Supporters Trust and Newcastle fans in general are taking. #NUST#NUFCpic.twitter.com/AGUdCwLvfY— NUFC Supporters Trust (NUST) (@nufctrust) August 6, 2020
On behalf of the IFO, professor Derek Fraser outlined the reasons behind his decision to advise the Premier League to release a statement in an email published on the NUST’s website.
“It follows that the Premier League needed to do the proper due diligence in a thorough manner,” Fraser said.
“It is now clear that this was not straightforward and regrettably there was delay, which led to much frustration among the fans. While acknowledging your disappointment at the outcome, I have to inform you that neither the ownership of clubs nor the operation of the Owners and Directors Test fall within the remit of the IFO.
“The resolution of the takeover issue was clearly the responsibility of the Premier League and you will need to pursue your concerns with the League.
“I understand that the Newcastle United Supporters Trust has requested that the Premier League should make a statement to fans explaining how the case was handled.
“This seems to be a reasonable request and I will advise the Premier League accordingly.”
