AMANDA STAVELEY has accused the Premier League of lacking accountability over a £300million Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle.
SunSport exclusively revealed last month that Mike Ashley believes he will finally get the green light to complete his mega-money Toon sale this summer.
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The Sports Direct chief has been involved in a legal battle with the Prem for eight months following last year’s takeover debacle.
Staveley’s consortium, which comprises of Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers, became impatient that Prem rulers had dragged their feet over the purchase of Newcastle.
A deal was agreed in principal in April of last year but it fell through three months later as Prem lawyers struggled to establish the precise links between the consortium and the Saudi state.
And arbitration action is taking place this month.
Sky News now claims they’ve seen a letter from Staveley, who is at the head of the takeover consortium, accusing the Premier League of a ‘closely guarded lack of transparency’.
The letter, addressed to football governance reviewer Tracey Crouch, says: “Fans surely deserve absolute transparency from the regulators across all their processes – to best ensure that they act responsibly.
“They are performing a function like that of a government regulator – but without the same systems for accountability.
“[There is now] a chance for those involved [in the Newcastle United bid] to be seen to take a robust stance – just as the government so decisively and effectively stepped into the European Super League debacle.
“But there is real urgency – given the NUFC arbitration hearing is due to take place this month.
“We need intervention immediately to force the issue out into the open.
“It is my view that it is likely that that would be enough to make those involved behave more responsibly and signal the government’s intention to take effective action in the interests of the country.”
