I see 2 possibles 1. We win arbitration, but get relegated and PIF finally withdraw. 2. We stay up, but we lose arbitration.
No mate. There’s obvs laws covering corporate governance and the obligations and responsibilities of Directors, plus the requirement to file annual returns with HMRC etc, but PIF are under direct Govt control, reporting directly to a Govt dept, that’s also headed by MBS. The point being, that whilst it probably is a separate legal entity to the State itself, it’s obvs under Govt control, and is Chaired by MBS himself. I’m sure this point will be argued by both sides, likely for days on end during the arbitration, as I’d agree with @Sheikh_of_Araby that it’s likely the key point, but personally I just don’t see how it can be denied that ultimate control would sit with MBS, should he choose it to, making him a shadow director.
I think it's obvious both sides think they can win, but I guess I'm hoping the bein ban is lifted and then an agreement is reached... I don't think hunan rights matters
He can be a shadow director if he wants. But that’s not a director in uk law. Fact remains the actual directors for newco are not MBS. The piracy issue is nothing to do with PIF. It’s the government. The murders are directly linked to him. For example. Let’s say he was jailed for the murder. He would be removed from being chairman of PIF. But PIF would continue to act. Without any change. For the people of SA.
I think past activities will be used by NDM and Fatima. IT will establish that for many major companies... they are not indeed made a director so a pattern of interpretation is established. Res ipsa loquitur.
So the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is going to turn up and chat to Lee Charnley about upgrading the wheelie bins at the training ground? I mean, it's complete and utter ****ing nonsense. The PL know full well the state of play here - day to day running will be driven by Staveley, with support from Jamie Reuben and other board members, with investment funding coming from the PIF and presumably there will be a means by which Amanda will be able to allocate investment funding. There will be other directors named who are on this PIF and link into it to ensure the investment is being run soundly. The thought that the PL want to stick Mohammed Bin Salman down on a piece of paper is knowingly obfuscating the process. I don't give a flying **** about O&D test, this is clearly nothing to do with that. The O&D test - as has been repeatedly said by the PL - is about proving new owners would have the funds and plans to ensure a club doesn't suffer. £260bn at the PIF apparently fails that, so it goes right back to what I said in the beginning that this is just the "big 6" deciding they don't fancy it and playing silly buggers to ensure it doesn't happen. All the rest is just convenient. It wouldn't matter if there'd been piracy, it wouldn't matter if there'd be no Kashoggi, the PL would still be trying to find ways to stop this happening. And as Chaos says, they probably will succeed.
MBS will not be responsible for the day to day running of the club. As you say - Staveley and Reubens run the club. PIF just own and have board members. Does anyone seriously think that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, or the Royal Family are going to use NUFC for nefarious reasons? It is an investment vehicle for the Saudi's, nothing more. Let's be very clear. The ODT was stop another Portsmouth or Leeds. It was supposed to weed out owners who would financially ruin clubs. The PL conveniently uses it to suggest that there is significant state control of PIF. Several legal experts, including our own Nick De Marco, QC and Shaheed Fatima, QC, dispute that. If the Saudis had tried to buy Spurs or Liverpool this would have been rushed through.
Indeed - Spurs had already gone to Saudi begging to be bought - but for £2bn. Even the Saudi's knew that was a waste of money.
Spurs are mad that the Saudis want a wee club up north. For £2 billion, the Saudis could transform the club and whole north east. A far more sound investment.
Here’s a thought... Could Saudis initially have no one on the board from their side to get the test through... and then later on just shuffle things around? the commercial deal could have clauses in etc saying they had a right to x board seats and PL have no sway over the contract at all.
They can be club sponsors. There is nothing stopping them from say entering a commercial deal with RB Sports and Media, or JV1 to the tune of £300 million. They can then be exclusive sponsors to NUFC and there is nothing the PL can do. There is also nothing stopping PIF from setting up a sports specific fund designed to oversea investment. All they have to do is ensure that there is no hint of state control.
This has always been the reason for my continued scepticism. With all the guidance they pay for from the likes of Boston or McKinsey, how can nobody have figured our a seamless way to buy the club in a heartbeat? That's why something just still feels off to me.
