Newcastle United fans have reacted to the news that the Premier League asked the Foreign Office to meet to ensure they were 'on the same page' on the takeover of the club.
Chronicle Live exclusively revealed earlier today that the Premier League had been in contact with the Foreign Office during the Spring, when Newcastle ’s takeover by the Public Investment Fund led consortium looked likely to go through.
The Foreign Office asked the league to keep them up to date with any developments, something sources insist is totally normal given the international relations between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
The two organisations discussed 'joined-up messaging' and being 'on the same page' around the timing of the decision.
The consortium eventually pulled out of the deal to takeover Newcastle on 30 July, but a Premier League statement did not come until six weeks later, following huge pressure from fans, MPs and a statement from Newcastle themselves.
The Premier League refused to comment, while the government has insisted that it has remained impartial to the outcome of the takeover.
As things stand the Premier League is facing two legal challenges - one led by Mike Ashley, and another by the Newcastle Supporters Consortium Group as pressure continues to be applied.
The latest revelations, which were obtained via a Freedom of Information request, have not gone down well with Magpies fans.
Here’s what they had to say.
The Public Investment fund takeover may be over, but the fallout isn't. Newcastle have issued arbitration proceedings against the Premier League, with Nick De Marco and Shaheed Fatima, QCs from Blackstone Chambers, representing owner Mike Ashley.
De Marco represented Sheffield Wednesday last month after the Owls appealed a 12-point deduction, while Fatima has acted for the International Finance Corporation in their $20m (£14.8m) claim against Punj Lloyd Limited in the Commercial Court in 2016.
Fans will now have to wait and see how that arbitration process plays out.
