The Premier League, says NUFC, has a "special responsibility to exercise its powers as a gatekeeper in a fair, objective and non-discriminatory manner and, in particular, not to exercise those powers for an ulterior commercial motive."
Reading Liam Kennedy’s Twitter thread this appears to be an “extra” in that it’s being suggested that Ashley has adopted the Consortium claim (NCLS ?) re anti competition claims which if I remember correctly means threat of imprisonment for those found guilty as well as punitive damages being payable. If correct Ashley has just ramped up the pressure on the PL.
In reaching the Director Decision, the Defendant failed to apply the Rules in a fair, objective and non-discriminatory fashion and/or used its powers under the Rules for the improper purpose of promoting its own commercial interests and/or the interests of its business associates and/or certain of the PL member-clubs in a manner that was detrimental to competition and consumers.
Spotting a legal argument coming up on para 3 of the submission - “...since the 2017-2018 season, it has competed alongside 19 other clubs in the English Premier League (“the PL”)”. this’ll need proving
"United's legal team are understood to be keen to secure disclosure of documents, private communications and correspondence from the Premier League, their key executives, lobbyists, including beIN Sports and 'some clubs', as well as anyone else potentially involved in the stalled takeover process, which saw the top flight executive board fail to make a definitive decision on the sale to PZ Newco Ltd, the front for the PIF, Reuben Brothers and PCP Capital Partners' £300m+ deal... given the wealth of evidence already in the hands of the club, as well as what disclosure may reveal, sources suggest this is not a battle the Premier League will take lightly... Patterson, who has years of experience in competition actions, said: "I don't think the Premier League, beIN or the big six can afford for this to go to court and the disclosure that would come with that. "If the clubs in the top six, or others, have been involved in cartel behaviour, it is in the public interest for this to come out."Patterson continued: "In a competition case you are normally searching for a legal silver bullet - this case already has three or four." "If anyone had any doubt about Mike Ashley's intentions and desire to sell this club to the consortium, it should cease today." " https://www.shieldsgazette.com/spor...n-bid-to-force-through-saudi-takeover-3227464
Calm down lads. Ashley is seeking a declaration as to legal separation - Arbitration. He is also now using breach of competition law against the PL citing the influence of the big six and BEin. He is effectively slam dunking the PL into submission approaching from all angles. He is forcing the sale through and seeking compensation for the PL failing to pass it originally. It's not just war. It's armageddon. I suspect they have a wealth of evidence citing the ESL. This will not go to court. If it does and the case is found in NUFC's favour, the consequences for the PL are severe. Breaches of competition law are criminal in nature.
