Amanda Staveley tells ITV Tyne Tees she's 'committed' to NUFC takeover deal
Watch Chris Conway's report
Amanda Staveley, the businesswoman hoping to buy Newcastle United, has told ITV Tyne Tees she remains committed to the deal, despite ongoing arbitration with the Premier League.
Owner Mike Ashley is in dispute with the League over the sale of the club, to Staveley's PCP Capital Partners and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). A deal was agreed 15 months ago but collapsed last summer when the buying parties failed to get Premier League approval.
The PIF Chair, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman blamed the EPL in the past and it was revealed he reached out to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to try and get the deal through.
Both Mike Ashley and Amanda Staveley are urging the Premier League to conduct the ongoing legal process in public.
Amanda Staveley says she also understands the frustration of football fans who want a resolution and believes that Mike Ashley would still consider other suitable buyers.
The businesswoman says she and her husband would also like to thank those who have supported them.
Watch the full version of Chris Conway's interview with Amanda Staveley here:
Analysis by Chris Conway
After 15 months, it was great to finally get to meet Amanda Staveley (albeit virtually). She was engaging, charming and very passionate about Newcastle United. She was also incredibly passionate about the impact her deal could have on the wider North East.
Make no mistake, this is not just a deal to buy a football club - Staveley says it is also a deal that will have far wider implications for the North East and its economy too. From speaking to her, you sense that Amanda Staveley gets it and gets Newcastle. She certainly talks a good game.
The problem is that with each month that goes by, it feels it will be harder to get the deal over the line. Mike Ashley is a willing seller. Amanda Staveley is a willing buyer and is adamant she has assembled the right business minds to make the takeover a success. But the deal remains stuck in legal limbo. When will fans finally get the takeover they've waited more than a decade for?
That remains the £340 million pound question.
A spokesperson from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport says it is the Premier League's decision as to whether the ongoing process be conducted openly.
The Premier League has declined to comment.
Newcastle United's players returned for pre-season training this week with the answer as to the future ownership of the Magpies still uncertain.
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