MPs want to put brakes on United takeover
THE Premier League has the final say on Newcastle United’s takeover prospects – how many times do we have to say it?
Bearing in mind that the Government has already stated exactly that, and taking on board that piracy, and the illegal streaming of top-flight games, has long been an issue on UK shores, news that two Conservative MPs waited until now to publicise it and call for an oral evidence session has raised eyebrows on Tyneside.
A similar session unfolded last May, but nobody decided to follow it up, until now.
Let’s first remind ourselves what Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said on April 23.
Back then Dowden insisted the takeover deal at Newcastle – which will involve 80% backing from Saudi Arabia – was a “matter for the Premier League.”
And then: “The fit and proper person test is undertaken by the Premier League and I don’t want to prejudge the process.
“I am content that they should carry out that test.”
It looks like news that Newcastle could be one of the richest clubs on the planet has reached Clacton. So much so that Giles Watling, its MP, who sits on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has sent an email which calls for Newcastle’s takeover to be looked at.
He asked whether “the Government, by allowing the sale to take place, is taking appropriate action in this instance to protect the value of UK sport, which is both a cultural and commercial asset to the country”.
He added: “I am writing to request that the Committee holds an oral evidence session on the theft of UK sport by the Saudi-based pirate operation which has been stealing and broadcasting every major UK sporting competition for almost three years, including the Premier League. “Ideally, this should be with the Secretary of State and representatives from the Premier League.” Yet the Premier League management already know the score on piracy – or at least their rule book suggests so. That reads: “The only legitimate way that pubs, clubs and other commercial premises in the United Kingdom may broadcast Premier League matches is through a commercial subscription to one or all of the Premier League’s authorised UK broadcasters, Sky, BT and Amazon.
“No UK broadcasters are authorised to televise 15:00 kick-offs on a Saturday afternoon as these fall within the Football Association’s ‘Closed Period,’ under UEFA Article 48, which is primarily designed to on a Saturday at 15:00.” The lowdown protect match attendances is that piracy isn’t just an issue (both at a professional connected with Newcastle’s takeover. and amateur level) and promote It’s already a UK thing. grass-roots Back in February, The Chronicle participation in reported that one man sold 270 illegal football. streaming devices to premises in “Therefore, the North East. no commercial Don’t tell me this isn’t a nationwide premises in issue. It might even happen in the UK is Clacton. authorised to The reality is that letters of protest show Premier should not be able to stop the Premier League League getting on with its job matches of assessing the proposal on its own kicking off merits.