That's the problem. They SHOULDN'T. But almost certainly do. This could explain any delay, because you're going to have to come up with a better excuse than "the other boys don't want you to play" - that's legal action on a monumental scale and the end of the PL entirely. Hence why people have said anything about making it "legally watertight" is to do with the outside influence of legal action. Who can sue? Only Ashley/Staveley can take legal action. Bein can't - the WTO report doesn't implicate PIF so that's clear. Other clubs can threaten other things - such as leaving for a European Superleague - but that's shady and not a legal thing. The only ones who can take legal action on the PL are Ashley and Staveley. The delay is working out how they can reject without legal recourse. I mean, think about it like this - Man City are fighting UEFA about their FFP ruling. Where are the PL in that? Where's a PL comment about unfairness and Man City effectively buying success? They've said nothing. That tells you all you need to know about the PL.
I agree it’s about damage limitation. In some respects don’t you think there will be challenge regardless of what the outcome is. If approved the challenge comes from the other teams, bein, cenzig. If denied the challenge comes from PIF and Ashley and I think it’s this one that’s the hardest for the PL to defend hence maybe the delay. Legally I can’t see how they can block it without it being seen as corruption? Can someone tell me who has any legal background explain how they could?
To be clear, Cengiz is a state puppet at best, pure imagination at worst. Bein have no grounds to take legal action - all supporting docs have never accused MBS or PIF of piracy. They have said KSA didn't do enough, but KSA can now just say "and we're taking action", which is all the WTO need. Bein's argument is proxy war and simply doesn't involve the PL. They bought rights knowing what their region was like. The PL doesn't owe them money because there's piracy in KSA. The PL doesn't owe Sky any money because of piracy in the UK. It's not the PL's job to eradicate piracy - it's in their interests as it protects their brand value, but it's not on them to act, that's on the broadcaster. The other teams have even less grounds to complain, legally. They should know this stuff has to keep happening, whether it's NUFC or not, if they are to protect the brand of the PL and their income. As pouchy rightly says, situations like Sunday are hugely damaging to the PL brand (sure, it's a Cup game, but the principal is the same). They will definitely grumble in the background, but have no legal challenge. Legally if the PL fail AS/PIF on the basis of their test, they will face legal action. Ashley will happily take legal action too. And it's very, very difficult to see - particularly given the So'ton takeover - how they can possibly fail it. They would have to then go back to Sheff Utd if it's to do with state related piracy. Just look at the court case of Staveley vs Barclays - does anyone at the PL want that level of exposure?! It's entirely feasible that this episode is the beginning of the end of the PL era.
I see the useless lacelles has been onto Ashley the last thing this need is someone stirring fatty up.
