BZG’s latest statement about the ongoing Newcastle United takeover process is yet to be verified by the Newcastle Chronicle, according to Mark Douglas.
The Chronicle journalist claimed via his personal Twitter account on Tuesday morning that he is yet to get a response from his two sources at BZG and says that the North-East newspaper is yet to print the statement because they cannot double check it’s veracity.
Well firstly, attempts to verify it have proved frustrating. Two channels I have for BZG are yet to reply to confirm it's veracity. Not to criticise the person Tweeting it but we couldn't/wouldn't reproduce something like that as fact without double sourcing it.
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) July 9, 2019
If they – as Peter says – want the sentiments to be circulated widely and quickly, they need to verify it with other journalists – or release it in a different way. That's just responsible journalism on our part I feel (we always double source – if not more).
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) July 9, 2019
Peter Redding, who is a sports presenter on Capital Radio in the United Arab Emirates, released a statement by BZG via his personal Twitter account on Monday which says that “every aspect” of the takeover process has been completed.
Following a meeting with Bin Zayed Group officials they would like to put on record the following information for NUFC fans:
"Both parties have worked diligently in finalising a deal, none more so than ourselves. We have completed every aspect required in a takeover process.— Peter Redding-Capital Radio UAE (@dubai_geordie) July 8, 2019
OPINION
Not only was it an odd statement by BZG that fails to offer any clarity on the potential takeover at Newcastle United, but it was also odd that the statement was made public by a radio show host from the UAE. If BZG are serious about buying Mike Ashley out of the Tyneside club then they need to be in contact with the local newspapers in the North-East, not just their local media. Although Redding is likely a very reliable journalist in the Middle Eastern country, Newcastle fans need to see things like this come through media sources inside the United Kingdom at the very least. The Chronicle have been getting a lot of stick from fans during this takeover process but this statement just shows how tough it is for them. BZG don’t seem interested in talking to them and Ashley doesn’t seem interested in talking to them either. This takeover just doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen. The season kicks off in a month and even if Sheikh Khaled does buy Newcastle, it’s unlikely that he will have any impact on this summer’s transfer window.
