This is why Newcastle United's £300m Saudi takeover has been 'delayed'

Newcastle United’s takeover has been delayed owing to the ‘complexity’ of the broadcast allegations made against the Saudi state - according to reports.

By Mark Donnelly

Published 6th May 2020, 14:03 BST

Updated 6th May 2020, 14:04 BST

Newcastle United's takeover has reportedly been delayed

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia – along with Amanda Staveley and the Reuben Brothers – have agreed a £300million deal to purchase the club from Mike Ashley.

And while the deal is currently going through Premier League checks, the process has been delayed by an objection from Qatar-based beIN Sports.

They objected because of the illegal streaming of Premier League games in Saudi Arabia, with the Daily Mail claiming the complexity of these allegations means that a deal is unlikely to be sanctioned until next week.

But report claims that it is ‘likely’ that the takeover will be given the green light by the Premier League - who are currently plotting a path back to playing football amid the COVID-19 crisis.