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Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is receiving legal advice after accusing the Premier League of failing to act “appropriately” by formally rejecting Amanda Staveley’s takeover offer.
More than a month after Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners, who were backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and the Reuben brothers, withdrew their £ 340 million (€ 374 million) offer to the club, and the governing body still conducts the owners and directors test. , the magpies have revealed that a decision has already been made.
In a terse statement issued Wednesday night, the club said: “Newcastle United can confirm that the Premier League has rejected a takeover bid by PCP Capital Partners, Reuben Brothers and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). ) based on your Proof of Owners and Directors.
“This conclusion was reached despite the club providing the Premier League with overwhelming evidence and legal opinions that the PIF is independent and autonomous from the government of Saudi Arabia.
“The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League CEO Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately on this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them.”
“Mike Ashley understands the frustrations of the fans and would like to assure you that he is fully committed to ensuring this acquisition process is completed as he felt it was the best for the club. Mike continues to fully support Steve Bruce, the players and all. the staff and wishes them the best for the upcoming season. “
It is understood that Ashley, who flew by helicopter to the clubhouse in Benton in raining Wednesday afternoon to meet head coach Bruce after the summer signings of Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis were introduced to media, had been working to revive the interest of the PCP. .
However, his efforts to remove the obstacles that blocked his path appear to have led league officials to move decisively, although the tenor of the club’s response suggests that it may not be the end of the matter.
Ashley has been trying to ditch the club she bought for £ 134.4 million (€ 148 million) for much of her 13 years in office and appeared to have made significant progress when the Staveley consortium won exclusivity in April. .
His withdrawal frustrated by the ongoing delay was greeted with fury by fans hoping for an end to the sportswear mogul’s ill-fated tenure and an injection of cash to help Newcastle compete more evenly after more than one. decade of relative austerity.
The rival interest of American businessman Henry Mauriss and the Paris-based Bellagraph Nova Group has not materialized into something more substantial.
Ashley didn’t expect to have to fund another summer transfer window, but Bruce, whose team begins the new season at West Ham on Saturday, has been delighted with the backing he has received since it became clear the club would not change hands. the short term.
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