Mike Ashley has hired a London law firm to deal with his battle with the Premier League following the rejection of the club's recent Middle East takeover.
The Premier League told Amanda Staveley, the Reuben brothers and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund that they required more information during the owners and directors test.
However, Staveley and Co promptly pulled out of the deal - claiming they had grown frustrated with the process despite agreeing a £340million proposal with Ashley.
Blackstone Chambers, based in London, have released the following statement on their website.
It reads: "Shaheed Fatima QC and Nick De Marco QC are acting for Newcastle United FC and Mike Ashley (instructed by Dentons) in a dispute with the Premier League about its rejection of a takeover bid made by PCP Capital Partners, the Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) based on its Owners and Directors test."
United said in a statement last week: "Newcastle United can confirm that the Premier League has rejected a takeover bid made by PCP Capital Partners, the Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) based on its Owners and Directors test.
"This conclusion has been reached despite the club providing the Premier League with overwhelming evidence and legal opinions that PIF is independent and autonomous of the Saudi Arabian government.
"The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately in relation to this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them.
"Mike Ashley understands fans’ frustrations and would like to reassure them that he has been fully committed to ensuring this takeover process reached completion as he felt it was in the best interests of the club. Mike continues to be fully supportive to Steve Bruce, the players and all the staff and wishes them well for the upcoming season."
