£300m Saudi Arabian Takeover Of Newcastle Set To Collapse As Rival Clubs Raise Issues

The proposed Saudi Arabian takeover of Newcastle may no longer see the light of day as unrest is growing among Premier League clubs.

According to SunSport, at least ten other sides have concerns about the league ratifying the £300million deal to buy out Mike Ashley.

They could now group together in a show of force and demand the Premier League board to block the sale on the basis of commercial concerns amid a piracy legal battle.

And the delay is leading to Ashley considering looking for other takers as he looks to cut his losses and get out of football.

The league’s lawyers are in possession of new legal documents which are understood to relate to allegations that Saudi Arabia hosted the BeoutQ “pirate” streaming platform which illegally broadcast top flight games among a host of other sports.

Should that paperwork prove a link between the Saudi government and BeoutQ it could potentially be enough for proper owner test to being carried out on the consortium looking to by Newcastle.

Central to the concern among other clubs is they are being asked to allow in a new owner who may have been actively helping damage their commercial interests in the Middle East.

A United States government investigation has already found a direct link between the Saudi regime and BeoutQ, and any further clear-cut evidence would make it hard for the Premier League to ratify them taking ownership of one of its members.

But a decision from league bosses is now expected to be delayed with rival clubs also understood to be keeping a close eye on developments.