Newcastle United would-be owners were dealt a huge blow on Tuesday after the World Trade Organization ruled that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was behind pirate satellite TV beoutQ.
The Public Investment Fund wants to own 80% of the Magpies and have bankrolled a £300 million bid that is awaiting approval from the Premier League.
Passing the Owners’ and Directors’ Test is the only hurdle left for PIF to scale, but the WTO report hasn’t done their chances any good.
Nevertheless, the popular belief is that the Newcastle takeover will eventually go ahead despite more than 10 weeks of similar claims, and The Athletic’s Chris Waugh says he has heard whispers that it could be close.