Newcastle United’s takeover has taken a fresh twist, per The Sun.
The Magpies continue to wait for ratification from the Premier League as the Saudi-backed consortium looks to wrestle control away from current owner Mike Ashley.
However, another stumbling block has now been thrown in their way.
Indeed, the report claims that Saudi broadcaster beoutQ, a pirate television service, have been accused of stealing coverage of European football, including matches from the Premier League.
And evidence of piracy is said to have been found by the World Trade Organisation, casting aspersions over the possibility of the green light being given to the group, though there has yet to be a ruling.
The chief of the WTO, Roberto Azavedo, said: “Our agreement on intellectual property rights is very clear.
“Those are fundamental rights as far as the functioning of the global economy is concerned. These rules have been put in place not by accident, but to be observed.
“All members recognise that exceptional situations should be dealt with.”
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
This is very bad for Newcastle.
They have been waiting for some time now as they look to move into a new era.
But if the Premier League have found concrete evidence that this Saudi TV channel have been stealing their intellectual property, they are surely unlikely to give the deal the thumbs-up.
It certainly sounds like there is some explaining to be done, given that the crown prince of the country, Mohammed bin Salman, is backing the bid for the club.
The takeover may rest on whether or not he can explain his way out of this.