All posts by n8rngtd.top

A specialist in sports law has dropped a claim on the proposed arbitration panel amid legal disputes from Newcastle United over the failed takeover.

The St. James’ Park faithful are still committed to proceedings despite the setback of not being able to remove arbitrator Michael Beloff QC from the panel because of suspected bias.

However, the legal team at the North East club were successful in their bid to make the ruling public, which means that it is now known that both Lord David Neuberger and Lord John Dyson will also sit as part of a three-man panel in the pending arbitration case against the Premier League.

Speaking recently to The Chronicle, sports law specialist Peter Nunn has claimed that both the Tyneside club and the English top flight should not have any concerns whatsoever about the panel that has been chosen:

“For any big arbitration case, and this is a high-stakes one, you are going to get the best people involved.

“They are all very senior QCs, who are not going to get the law wrong in any case. It’s a very heavyweight line up, and Newcastle or the Premier League should have no concerns about that panel.

“They are going to be impartial, they will not reach an unfair decision because one of them advised the Premier League 11 years ago. It’s not worth their careers to be biased in any way.”

Arbitration case will make things clearer

The results of the pending arbitration hearing will certainly makes things clearer in terms of whether the proposed takeover of the Magpies by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group can still be revived or not.

If the Toon were to win their legal battle, then it may well edge them a step closer with regards to its resurrection, and a path for the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) could be cleared.

In other news, find out what light Ben Jacobs has shed on PIF and the potential takeover here!

According to a report from 90min, Tottenham Hotspur, and by extension Daniel Levy, are eyeing a potential summer swoop for electric Hatayspor forward Aaron Boupendza – with the Turkish side allegedly ‘prepared to do business’ as they are well aware of the interest from numerous sides.

Boupendza, who has scored an impressive 18 goals in 26 Turkish Super Lig appearances this season, becoming a crucial player for Hatayspor, is now being eyed by Tottenham as a plethora of British sides take note in the striker’s exploits.

Tottenham eyeing Boupendza

Leicester, West Ham, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Wolves and Southampton are all keeping tabs on his situation abroad, with Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers also keen on a move.

Spurs are among the clubs monitoring Boupendza and it is said by 90min that Hatayspor are ‘prepared to do business’ with any interested party if they meet his £8.5 million asking price.

90min also state that his ‘priority’ is to move to the Premier League and follow in the footsteps of Gabon international teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – with the Arsenal star even speaking to Tottenham’s north London rivals about Boupendza.

Vinicius alternative

Time will tell who will land the 24-year-old talent, but Levy and Spurs are taking a firm interest in the race for his potential summer signing.

Given Carlos Vinicius has a fairly huge €45m (£40.38m) purchase option in his loan-to-buy deal from Benfica, the Hatayspor star could represent a cheaper option to back up option to Harry Kane.

An £8.5m price tag is more befitting of a player who will spend most of his time watching on from the sidelines, so perhaps he is the perfect alternative to Vinicius.

In other news: Tottenham are first in line for this ace, find out more here.

Phil Hay has said that “it’s not quite happening” for Rodrigo after giving his analysis in a Q&A session for The Athletic as Leeds United drew 0-0 with Chelsea.

The Spain international, signed from Valencia in the summer transfer window, was subbed off by Marcelo Bielsa toward the end of the second half after initially being brought on prior to half-time for the injured Patrick Bamford, with no sign of injury for himself.

Rodrigo failed to make an impact

Even though Bamford’s shoes are big ones to fill for the Yorkshire club, Rodrigo – who is currently valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt – did not really make much of a real impact in the game and was subsequently taken off.

The 30-year-old lost out on three of his duels and also failed to make a single successful dribble, while achieving a mere 20 touches of the ball in total (Sofascore).

He also found himself booked around the 75th minute of the match, which may well have contributed to Bielsa taking him off as well.

For the Argentine to take the forward off when Leeds were in need of a goal says a lot about how it is currently going for Rodrigo at this moment in time, as he will certainly want to improve on such performances come the end of the 2020/21 campaign. As Hay has said, it just isn’t going the Spaniard’s way right now.

In other news, find out who has an ‘agreement’ to sign one Whites player!

Former Tottenham defender Gary Mabbutt has exclusively told Football FanCast that Mike Dean was right to award Harry Kane a penalty against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Midway through the second-half of Spurs win at Villa Park, a careless sliding tackle from right-back Matty Cash allowed the England to hammer home his 17th consecutive penalty in Tottenham colours.

Having latched onto Lucas Moura’s pass, Kane looked certain to cut back onto his right foot. But after seeing Cash about to recklessly dive in, the Spurs striker allowed the ball to trickle out of playing, and waited for the contact.

Dean then needed no second invitation in pointing to the spot, leaving Kane with the task of converting past ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to seal a much-needed three points for Jose Mourinho’s side following Carlos Vinicius’ first-half opener.

And Mabbutt agreed with Dean’s decision. He told Football FanCast:

“Cash has just come back into the side and I think that showed. In that particular situation, all Kane could do there was to get the ball into the box, and all Cash had to do was to try and block what Kane could have crossed into the box – he only had a small area to cover, which could have been done by staying on his feet.

“He decided to slide in and Harry saw the challenge coming in, and the referee saw what everyone else saw, a player taking Harry’s legs.

“It was quite clear that Harry wouldn’t have got the ball into the box and seeing the challenge coming in, Harry didn’t go ahead with what he was planning to do. He took a heavy challenge and I thought the referee was correct in giving a penalty.”

A number of Liverpool fans have been bemoaning an injury update on Kostas Tsimikas, with the left-back picking up a knock on international duty.

The Reds snapped up the 24-year-old last August, bringing him in from Olympiakos in a deal worth £11.75million.

Tsimikas was seen as ideal backup to Andy Robertson, allowing the Scot the odd breather in what was going to be a relentless season.

Unfortunately, the Greek’s first year on Merseyside has been a hugely disappointing one, with injuries constantly halting his progress.

[freshpress-quiz id=“343638″]

Tsimikas has been limited to just six appearances in all competition, with only five minutes of action coming his way in the Premier League.

It now appears as though the Liverpool man has suffered another setback, with Sportime journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos taking to Twitter to confirm that he took no part in training for Greece on Friday.

It is believed that he picked up a knock in his country’s 1-1 draw with Spain on Thursday, having been substituted late on.

Liverpool fans react to Tsimikas update

These Liverpool supporters provided their thoughts on the news on Twitter, with plenty of frustration on show.

“All we need now is for Robbo to be injured and we’re in a new crisis at the back”

Credit: @jacksonto888

“Another serial sick note! All season injured”

Credit: @Omar470

“Is he actually a real person?”

Credit: @andymo0212

“Has this dude ever been fit?”

Credit: @MatthewBiggin

“Haven’t had one in a while, we were due one”

Credit: @lfckez

“That is bad. We need him as Robbo’s backup…”

Credit: @Seyjith

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a surprise transfer rumour. Find out who the player in question is here.

Fans of Sunderland have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which the club confirmed that the Black Cats centre-forward, Charlie Wyke, has won the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award.

So far this season, Wyke has been in rather remarkable form over his 34 League One appearances for Lee Johnson’s side, bagging 22 goals and registering two assists, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 7.39 – ranking him as the club’s best performer in the third tier.

The 28-year-old has particularly impressed for Sunderland this month, with the striker scoring four goals over his six appearances in the league throughout March.

And, it would appear Wyke’s efforts have been recognised by League One fans, as, in a recent post on Twitter, Sunderland confirmed that the centre-forward had been awarded the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award.

In reaction to the news, fans of Sunderland flocked to have their say on the matter, with many heaping a considerable amount of praise on the recent performances of Wyke.

So, what exactly did these Sunderland fans have to say in reaction to the news regarding Charlie Wyke?

“The GOAT!”

@SunderlandUy

“Absolutely magnificent.”

@SAFCTurk

“Well done Chazza, you’ve deserved that.”

@LeighMa79471576

“Well deserved.”

@mackem49000

“Guy will have no room in his trophy cabinet soon.”

@slaternator1984

“You love to see it.”

@MorganGraySAFC

“Geezer.”

@Mattyoliverr_

In other news: loads of Sunderland fans were buzzing after these ‘exciting’ comments emerged – find out more here!

Eddie Howe looks set to become Celtic’s new manager and already has his sights set on Bournemouth defender Steve Cook as a key Hoops signing.

That’s according to The Scottish Sun, who claimed that the 29-year-old could find it hard to turn down a potential reunion with Howe at Celtic Park over the coming months.

Cook to Celtic on a free transfer?

The centre-back, valued at £6.3m by Transfermarkt, is out of contract in the summer and so could make the move to Glasgow on a free transfer.

According to the report, Cook could even be seen by Howe as Celtic’s next captain, with current skipper Scott Brown set to join Aberdeen in the summer.

Transfer Tavern take

Cook is on £45,000 per week, the same wage as Josh King, who has also been tipped to reunite with Howe at Parkhead.

In our view, the defender could prove to be an excellent addition on a free transfer if it materialises, taking all things into consideration.

He has made more than 150 appearances in the Premier League, knows how Howe works and could provide fierce competition to the likes of Kristoffer Ajer, Christopher Jullien and Stephen Welsh.

In other news: Celtic knock back offer for 26 y/o after Friday development, find out more here. 

Plenty of Crystal Palace supporters have been reacting to the club’s official record-breaking Twitter post regarding season ticket renewals.

Selhurst Park has only managed to host one Premier League game with a section of Eagles fans present this season.

That came way back in December in the 1-1 draw with Jose Mourinho’ Tottenham, with Jeffrey Schlupp netting a late equaliser in front of 2,000 Palace supporters.

However, the club, as they revealed online, received great support once again after record-breaking season ticket renewals in the first 24 hours of going on sale were confirmed.

Prices remain frozen from the 2019/20 campaign, with 2020/21 holders having until May 14 to secure their seat for next season.

Palace fans react

The club shared the news regarding the record-breaking renewals in 24 hours on Wednesday evening.

This is what some fans had to say in reply, with one even urging the club to spend the money on reported target Conor Gallagher.

“Spend the money on Gallagher please”

Credit: @Adam_Palace

“It’s amazing what a season with a new manager and lots of great young prospects in the academy can do”

Credit: @EbereEze25

“Season Tickets going like hot cakes. Only a fool would get rid of Hodgson.”

Credit: @LFizzia

“One family”

Credit: @CPFC_NL

“Can’t wait to be back “

Credit: @jackstacpfc

“Renewed for the 42nd consecutive season and it’s going to be a very special first game back”

Credit: @Paultheringwood

In other news: Many Palace fans react to latest Zaha transfer update, find out more here. 

A number of Liverpool fans have been calling for Kylian Mbappe to join Liverpool in a swap deal for Mohamed Salah if the Reds superstar joins Paris Saint-Germain.

Jurgen Klopp’s men picked up a vital three points on Saturday afternoon, winning 2-1 at home to Aston Villa. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s last-gasp winner sealed a massive victory in the Premier League top four battle as Liverpool finally returned to winning ways at Anfield.

It was Salah who again got the ball rolling for the champions, equalising in the second half and bagging his 28th goal of the season. It was further proof of the Egyptian’s huge importance to this Liverpool team, but according to Telefoot [via Foot Mercato], PSG are lining him up as a replacement for Mbappe this summer.

Liverpool fans talk up Salah-Mbappe swap deal

Many Reds supporters will no doubt be worried about this, but some Kopites took to Twitter to talk up the idea of Mbappe replacing Salah, should the Egyptian head to the Ligue 1 giants.

“Straight swap any day”

Credit: @dannymcnulty11

“Call me crazy but I would take it as long as we get Mbappe”

Credit: @Acealone8

“If they both want to leave, Salah + xMillion for Mbappe, get it done”

Credit: @graftonfriday

“Salah + 50m for Mbappe, who’s saying no?”

Credit: @devinLFC__

“The only way Salah leaves for PSG is if Mbappe comes to LFC”

Credit: @BeechRed

“Swap deal?”

Credit: @KP07_

In other news, some Liverpool fans weren’t impressed with one Reds performer against Aston Villa. Find out who it is here.

An expert in football finance has dropped a big claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United involving St James’ Park.

Speaking to Football Insider, Kieran Maguire has suggested that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF) may have to sell the stadium in order to avoid breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, if the deal between Mike Ashley and the KSA consortium were to go ahead. He outlined:

“It would be challenging for Newcastle because FFP was designed to prevent another Man City.

“It will act as an anchor to slow down the speed with which Newcastle could compete with the existing elite. That’s the whole rationale behind FFP. 

“It will be frustrating but I’d imagine that Newcastle will push things to the limit if the PIF takeover does occur.

“Financial fair play is ultimately linked to profit, profit is revenue minus costs.

“It could be that the PIF decides to sell St. James’ Park and the club makes a large amount of profit on the back of that.”

Should Newcastle sell St James’ Park?

If the bid were to eventually go through, then Newcastle would no doubt have to be very careful when it comes to FFP.

The rules are in place so that they would not be able to splash out insane amount of cash straight away – essentially they can spend what they make, which may not be as much as the prospective new owners would want at first.

Nonetheless, given the history and size of St James’ Park, it would likely not go down well with the Toon Army if the prospective new owners were to sell it, unless there was a better stadium being lined up in its place.

That said, if the Magpies were to find themselves in trouble with FFP for whatever reason, selling St James’ Park would have to be considered an option in order to try to balance the books.

In other news, there has been a promising Saudi insight on the potential takeover!