Onwurah: PL’s chief has lot to answer for
THE Premier League’s Richard Masters has been asked to answer five specific points about the failed Newcastle United takeover by one of the city’s Members of Parliament as frustration grow over the drawn-out saga.
Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, has written a strongly-worded letter to Masters after the Saudi-led consortium pulled out of the deal to by United.
Onwurah has called on Masters to be more ‘accountable’ to football fans and raises concerns the 17-week delay in a decision over the takeover has left the club at a disadvantage and has seen the city miss out on vital investment.
In the end, it was the buyers who put an end to the deal, a statement from the group blaming the time it was taking and the current global economic climate in the light of COVID-19.
Amanda Staveley blamed the Premier League for the deal falling through, saying the body made it ‘impossible’ to complete the move.
Onwurah in her letter to Masters has demanded answers to the following questions.
She wrote: “Why did a process which generally takes a month last so long, 17 weeks and counting, without coming to any decision?
“We understand the main issue was not Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, a valid target of great criticism, but the Premier League’s intellectual property rights.
“Is that the case and could that not have been made public?
“Indeed, should not the criteria for the determination/long delay be published?
“Given the frequent condemnation of NUFC fans who supported who takeover, could the impact of the Saudi human rights record be clarified, specifically and in the context of other Premier League clubs owners and investors? “
She went on: Is it true several Premier League clubs objected to the takeover and what influence do the views of competing clubs have in the approval process?
“Is it true, as reported, that the owner, Mr Ashley, keeps the £17m deposit the buyers paid for exclusivity?
“Do you agree with me this money should at the very least be invested in good causes in the North East, for example the NUFC foundation and the Newcastle United Supporters Trust?
“It is unacceptable the only person to profit from 17 weeks of frustration for fans should be the man whose ownership of the club is causing such misery for those same fans.
“Do you agree it is unacceptable to leave loyal fans in such doubt for so long and that the process needs to be improved?
“For example, why were there press briefings but no fan briefings?”
Current owner Mike Ashley is said to be ‘devastated’ at the new the deal has broken through while a statement from the club’s managing=director Lee Charnley claimed Ashley remained ‘100% committed’ to the deal.
Onwurah writes she is not arguing the sale should have been approved and is not an ‘advocate’ for either the Saudis or Ashley but is looking out for her constituents - who she feels the Premier League failed with a lack of communication.