Masters has ‘more’ to answer: MP

RICHARD Masters should be able to say ‘more’ about the collapse of Newcastle United’s takeover if he faces the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee again.

Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah believes the Premier League chief executive needs to be asked about how the process works.

Masters previously appeared before MPs in June to discuss Project Restart.

However the Premier League chief stressed it was ‘difficult to make any comment about something which is confidential’ and there were ‘legal requirements in place which need to be observed.’

After Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the Reuben Brothers and Amanda Staveley withdrew their offer to buy the club on July 30, Masters broke his silence on the matter more than two weeks later in a letter of reply to Ms Onwurah.

Masters also fielded questions from the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust during the Premier League’s latest structured dialogue meeting with the Football Supporters’ Association and a small group of fan representatives last week.

When parliament returns, Ms Onwurah will present an official petition calling for transparency and accountability from the Premier League which has already been signed by more than 15,000 people.

She said “There was a really interesting question about the select committee and if Richard Masters came to the select committee again was he just going to sit there and say it is a confidential process?.

“We should also be asking for the select committee to have the Premier League back and if it is a confidential process let’s ask about it.

“They should be able to talk about it more now the process is no longer ongoing

“Otherwise, let’s talk about the process. How does it work? Who is on the board?

“Who is on the committee which determines this?

“So let’s raise it in parliament and have it in front of the select committee again.

“Also, I would talk about the fan-led review of football.”