The lawyer who represented Newcastle United in their legal battle dispute during the protracted takeover saga does not expect the Premier League to 're-examine' the deal. Nick de Marco became well known to the Toon Army after representing the Magpies in the club's Competition Appeal Tribunal hearing in September 2021, as well as for his social media posts which generated intense speculation among fans.
De Marco was also due to represent United in arbitration proceedings with the Premier League, which was set for January 2022. However, seven days after the preliminary hearing which was live-streamed by thousands of supporters, the long-awaited takeover was given the green light.
Less than two years on, fresh questions are now being asked over the separation between the the state and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Court documents relating to LIV Golf in the USA have raised the concerns again, leading to Amnesty International to call upon the Premier League to review the process and their decision to approve Mike Ashley's sale to the consortium backed by PIF.
READ MORE: More pressure put on Premier League to 're-examine' Newcastle takeover assurances by PIF
When asked about the latest demands, De Marco expressed doubt over whether the takeover will be scrutinised again. He told a football governance panel convened by Mishcon de Reya via CityAM: “No, I don’t think the Premier League will look into this because I don’t think they need to.
“For that reason nothing that has happened in the LIV case, it seems to me, changes any of that. There has been no suggestion that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has now changed its mind and is somehow exercising control over Newcastle, so I don’t believe this will lead to any change.”
Eddie Howe was questioned on the matter in his press conference prior to the defeat at Manchester City on Saturday. The Magpies head coach insisted his focus was solely on first-team matters, and he admitted he had not sought any assurances from the club's owners.
The Premier League refused to comment on the matter, although chief executive Richard Masters previously declared the takeover could be revoked should the 'legally-binding' assurances provided by PIF be proven false. De Marco added: “The dispute was whether if PIF took over Newcastle the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would fall into the definition of control under Premier League rules.
"That definition includes the ability to control the club. That’s what the dispute was, and the dispute was never determined because it was settled. The Premier League published a statement summarising the settlement on their website.
"The statement said the Premier League had received legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control Newcastle. The lawyers in the room will see the difference between the dispute – i.e. do you fall into the definition of ability to control, and the league accepting assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control [Newcastle].”
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