A little context on reports the #NUFC takeover has "stalled indefinitely". It's true, there's no maximum timeframe on O&D test, but if PL don't get information & answers requested & don't believe stuff to be forthcoming they can work with what they have & make a final decision.

Last I heard they wanted specific answers on the role (if any) of acting media minister & PIF board member Majid Al Qasabi. And originally they also sought assurances he'd protect beIN's IP in his role as the former. That's now changed since beIN's license has been terminated.

Even though Qasabi is not a listed director, Al Rumayyan and the others who are must still provide information on non-disclosed persons who may influence the club now or at a future date. And in doing so they can't be evasive or misleading.

PL under no obligation to comment even after approval or rejection. They may feel the need to given the complexity of this proposed takeover. If approved it will be more likely left to #NUFC comment. If rejected they could prefer to remain silent & avoid any public war of words.

I suspect, if PIF are rejected, they will not comment directly. That's my sense from talking to sources there. But that doesn't mean the Saudi government won't issue a politically-flavoured statement at some point alluding to the failed takeover. We aren't there yet, though.

If rejected, PIF can also appeal the decision internally within the PL. The O&D test outlines this process. They have 21 days to lodge an appeal at a cost of 1k. If (& we are talking hypotheticals) PIF pick this route, the PL would also not comment until that process is complete.

Main issue right now is the "termination" of beIN Sports' license. This will not pave the way for Saudi-specific tender. PL sources tell me rights packages will remain MENA-wide. KSA Sports could bid in next cycle, but would have to broadcast everywhere, including Qatar.

SAIP lawyers, however, are implying there may be legal precedent to ask for a Saudi-only tender due to political circumstances. They point out Sport1 broadcast the PL in Israel, which is technically a MENA territory, though is often also under Europe for sport (and Eurovision!).

This'd be a bold move. Saudi has not formally recognised Israel (there are some relations)... but suddenly they'd argue rights in MENA can be split into individual territories based on this. Again, PL maintain territories won't be split during next rights cycle. MENA or nothing.

The issue is Saudi is by far the biggest market in MENA. So if they can't have Saudi-specific rights and beIN were to win renewal and not be able to broadcast there, no one wins. Be interesting to see if KSA Sports starts to expand with a view to being MENA wide.

But let's not forget prior to beoutQ, Saudi, in conjunction with Egypt, did try a new legal sports broadcaster. PBS Sport was quickly launched & cancelled right before beoutQ first appeared. Starting a MENA-wide sport channel & making a profit is not easy. Not sure beIN does yet.

Direct fallout in England of beIN's license termination is they're being invited to government talks. It's not true they've had a regular direct line to the PL surrounding takeover itself. In fact senior beIN figures still felt it'd be approved right up until WTO report came out.

But beIN have held talks with government recently & it now appears there are a number of senior MPs who do actively want to block #NUFC takeover. The reported number was 16, but as part of a piece I'm writing for The Blizzard next month my research suggests it's closer to 100.

Ultimately, #NUFC takeover may stall (or perhaps fail is a better word) because beIN's license has been removed. But actual decision on approval/rejection won't be an indefinite process. PL must still make a final judgement & if that's rejection PIF can appeal it or move on.

Let's also not forget that if the deal is rejected Mike Ashley will have also made around 17 million from the past four months. PIF's deposit is non-refundable.