The Premier League's letter to MP Chi Onwurah addressing questions regarding the failed Newcastle United takeover was seen by many as the start of a process of clarity.
The response from Richard Masters was more detail than many had perhaps expected for the first official correspondence in this saga. It pointed out the main issue - that of the failure to determine the separation element between the Public Investment Fund and the Saudi State.
As the letter dropped, those close to the buyers reemphasized that they 'couldn't have provided the Premier League with any more information' and it 'wasn't possible' to go any higher in their assurances that the PiF is ran separately to the state.
The Premier League offered the group the chance of an independent arbitration tribunal, something they say the group rejected. This is no in dispute by the buying side, but they claim that the 'terms' of arbitration were 'not clear' and given that no decision had been made then how could they agree to process which is more often than not used for appeals.
Chronicle Live put that to the Premier League and received the following response: "Thank you for your email but we won't be providing any further comment to the letter."
Given that the main point of the letter from the Premier League was written about the rejection fo the arbitration, and the buying side have provided their reasons for not agreeing to the offer - the request for answers on such a simple point from the media was always likely to come.
The Premier League were also asked to confirm the date they offered the tribunal process to the group - it is claimed it was made on the day exclusivity on the deal ran out.
One source put it to ChronicleLive that this was the Premier League 'using any possible means to kick the can further down the road.'
The news that the Newcastle United Supporters Trust will meet with Masters next week is welcomed and the hope is that further answers will be forthcoming. The response to our question - on a very important point - is disappointing, and as Onwurah pointed out the letter 'doesn’t really provide the transparency or assurances fans are seeking.'
With this letter providing more question than answers, and adding enough chapter to this drawn-out battle, the Premier League must not rest on its laurels, and think that this letter is enough to satisfy the questions of fans and media alike.
