Thread by @ToonUnify

Another #NUFCTakeover Thread 🧵 In Light of Recent Events 🇸🇦⚽️ strap yourselves in for this one ...

1/ First thing’s first. @ADMusgrove and the @ChronicleNUFC have fought for SIX MONTHS to have this information made public. Let’s state the obvious .. somebody, somewhere was desperately fighting back for this not to come to light. We can only assume who that was 🙄

2/ Newcastle fans - through the NUST - have been made a mockery of by the PL. Richard Masters has bare-faced lied to this fanbase and the following extracts will prove this beyond unfounded claims.

3/ on 19th August 2020 RM engaged in a Q&A with the NUST (acting on behalf of NUFC fans) He acknowledged that “confidentially was important to the seller”. Yet, he clearly abused the clubs wishes throughout by repeatedly briefing the Government (evidenced), BeIn Sports and others

In that same meeting, RM states it “is not the PL role to give updates on a confidential process and it absolutely has not provided updates to anyone”. So why then, have we been presented with an email thread which points to the exact opposite of this? The PL clearly briefed DCMS

To go even further into this, the PL actually confirm to DCMS on 12 June 2020 that they have “kept the foreign office UP TO DATE” on proceedings. Therefore, clarifying that PL did in fact provide updates to multiple bodies outside of the ‘confidential’ process.

And the point is cemented when the PL promise to give “good notice” to DCMS, FCO and (yes and) the Department for International Trade. That’s a minimum of THREE independent bodies outside the remit of the tests being briefed on timescales and provided with updates. Before buyers?

4/ In January 2021 RM writes to Ian Mearns to inform that correspondence with Gov concerned ONLY with “discussing process by which announcement on #Nufctakeover would be communicated”. I don’t need to point out why that is also a lie ☝🏼 (are we seeing a theme yet?!)

5/ Rewinding back to April 2020, Oliver Dowden claimed “[PIF] is a company backed by the Sovereign Wealth fund. I did not believe that it was him (MBS) personally purchasing the club”. Ie OD inadvertently gives away Gov position that PIF and State are separate.

6/ And now we come to the leaked emails brought to light today ...

12 June 2020 - PL send confidential letter to NUFC. The letter’s purpose is to inform NUFC that PL have made initial conclusion on issue of state and PIF separation (NOT a conclusion on overall O&D test). ‘Confidential’ means no other party should know about this ...

And yet on the same day, the DCMS contact the PL because they’ve heard a decision is “imminent” on the O&D test. This is no coincidence. Somebody in the DCMS was briefed about this letter within hours of it going out. NUFC at this point are aware no decision on the overall test

Is imminent and so for it to be an NUFC leak to brief the government - something which has no relevance to NUFC here - is fanciful at best. All fingers point to a PL leak based on everything outlined above so far ☝🏼 (💡are you still with me?)

7/ 19 June 2020 - The PL have had no response from NUFC or buyers at this stage. Everything is as it was 7 days earlier - at a standstill. HOWEVER, the DCMS email the PL as they have been informed by a source that a final decision on the overall O&D TEST could be made THAT DAY.

It begs the question of just how this could be the case? The offer of arbitration is up in the air, the PL are unaware of the stance of buyer and seller and can’t make a final, informed decision at this point in time. And yet just TWO DAYS LATER they inform the Gov just that 🤔

8/ 21 June 2020 - PL informs DCMS that possible final decision is looming. Yet nothing has changed STILL since the letter was sent to NUFC 12 June. How can a final decision be near? What are the justifications for this? WHY ARE THEY BRIEFING OUTSIDE BODIES?!

9/ The whole thing stinks of politics and (I’m going to say it) corruption. My final nail in the PL coffin? ... Their reference to “Grand Old Duke of York”. Translation: let’s March them up and down. Let’s use stalling tactics to intentionally mislead the buyers and buy time.

10/ the PL know their test isn’t fit for purpose. Why else would they concede to the DCMS that this acquisition has “left them in new territory”. They’re lost and all they’ve wanted is to bury their head in the sand and hope this all blows over to appease their own agenda.

This all just exposes the web of lies the PL have wielded time and time again. They’ve tried to absolve themselves of outside pressure. At the end of the day, the Gov have determined that PIF and State are separate. As have the Saudi Royal Courts. The PL simply value one thing 💰

Conclusion/ This is another heavy blow to the PL and shines a light on their deceit and underhand tactics. This can only strengthen the NUFC stance and it will take a miracle to squirm out of this one.

And on a brighter note - things could be moving on nicely with the Arbitration. @CraigHope_DM has seen the letters sent out to club shop staff which references “potential new owners” several times. The wheels are turning in the right direction. These small details all add up.

It goes without saying that a shoutout to @ADMusgrove for his superb journalism and endeavour for truth is needed. #NUFC fans owe you one. Another bloody brilliant NE journalist 👏🏼 we’re spoiled with them:- @LiamJKennedy23 and @CraigHope_DM to name a couple. Thank you to all.