Competition Appeal Tribunal dispute between Mike Ashley and Premier League officially withdrawn after Newcastle United takeover

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has confirmed Mike Ashley’s case against the Premier League has been formally withdrawn, following the successful completion of the £300m+ takeover.

By Richard Mennear

Published 11th Oct 2021, 16:04 BST

St James's Park, home of Newcastle United. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Ex-Newcastle owner Ashley had made a claim under section 47A of the 1988 Competition Act following the Premier League’s failure to make a timely decision on the approval of a proposed £300million takeover.

The Premier League made an application this summer to contest the CAT’s jurisdiction, heard on September 29.

Following the takeover last Thursday, confirmation has now come the case has been withdrawn.

A statement on the CAT website - re St James Holdings Limited v The Football Association Premier League Limited – read: “Claim under section 47A of the Competition Act 1998.

“On 11 June 2021 the Defendant made an application to contest the Tribunal's jurisdiction pursuant to Rule 34 of the Tribunal Rules. The hearing of the application took place on 29 September 2021.

“The claim in these proceedings was withdrawn by consent on 8 October 2021.”

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