A number of Newcastle United supporters have been responding to Mehrdad Ghodoussi’s reaction to the latest news that Saudi Arabia is set to lift its embargo on Qatar.
The Magpies’ lengthy takeover saga has seen the club become involved in a legal arbitration process with the Premier League over the halting of the proposed £300m takeover at St James’ Park by the Saudi Arabian-based consortium PIF in the summer. That process remains ongoing and it could be some time before any decision is reached.
It has been reported that one of the aims of that arbitration process is to get the Premier League to reapply the Owners’ and Directors’ Test, per Chronicle. It is also claimed that the consortium involved in the potential takeover is still willing to resurrect the deal should they be given the chance, while Mike Ashley reportedly remains keen on ensuring that the club is sold.
One of the key stumbling blocks during the takeover process back in the summer was the geopolitics in the Gulf region, with Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports among the parties opposed to the takeover, per Associated Press. An easing of tensions in the region between Qatar and Saudi Arabia could be crucial for any resurrection of the takeover.
A report from Associated Press journalist Rob Harris revealed that there is set to be an easing in hostilities and tensions between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which could potentially see the path to Newcastle’s takeover become smoother if the deal is given a second chance at the end of the arbitration process.
Ghodoussi, who is the husband of PIF consortium figurehead Amanda Staveley, took to Twitter to react to the latest developments in the Gulf region.
Newcastle fans react to Mehrdad Ghodoussi’s message
Many Newcastle fans were hopeful that this news could see the prospect of the takeover look brighter and offer a fresh chance for it to be viewed in a more positive light. Here is a selection of the Twitter reaction from the Tyneside faithful:
Some very good news at the start of the year! https://t.co/pU0adPF8vn
— Paulie Belta (@PaulieBelta) January 5, 2021
One step closer fella, one step closer 🇸🇦 https://t.co/gBIMmlH7Ns
— Lee (@lee199522) January 5, 2021
Surely a huge hurdle removed from the takeover 😇 https://t.co/NI1eVS9fLF
— Chris (@chrismason777) January 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/louiswatson5/status/1346510724089131009?s=19
https://twitter.com/Craig17317552/status/1346501084651646976?s=19
It won't be long now! #NUFC
— Terry McGuinness (@tmc_tmc10) January 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/JamNUFC4/status/1346500138446032903?s=19
Heading to the right direction ⚫️⚪️🇸🇦
— Liam (@LiamK1998_) January 5, 2021
