Noel Whelan has given his reaction following the release of Newcastle United's arbitration statement.
The Lowdown: Statement released
Earlier this week, the St. James’ Park faithful released a statement on their official website asking for the upcoming arbitration process to be made public.
This is only possible if the Premier League agree to it as well, otherwise the process will remain confidential.
The Tyneside club also claimed that they have ‘nothing to hide’ with regards to the process, and even suggested that the top flight should have ‘no reason to be afraid of the public spotlight’, providing that they have acted ‘lawfully and properly’, and thus should be wanting to make it public too.
The Latest: Whelan reacts
Whelan, who is now a pundit after playing as a striker for the likes of Leeds United and Coventry City, has since given his reaction to Football Insider after reading the statement, suggesting that the Premier League should have no reason not to accept the North East club's request, but admitted that they do have a lot of power:
“You would only say things like that when you’ve got backup and you believe it.
“The club wouldn’t stand face to face with the Premier League. You wouldn’t out them and ask them to make it transparent otherwise.
“I’m sure they’ve got very good lawyers, Mike Ashley. They wouldn’t be calling them out if they weren’t brave enough and didn’t have the evidence to do that.
“They are the Premier League and they govern us.
“Whether Manchester United, Liverpool or Manchester City. They have the power. Huge power.
“I don’t see any way the Premier League cannot give somebody a reason or show them evidence on what they’re asking for.”
The Verdict: Premier League must compromise
The Premier League surely have to compromise and accept the Magpies' request to make the process public if they have nothing to hide.
Both sides are clearly confident that they can gain a positive result from the arbitration case, and the top flight should show this by allowing it to be made public.
The hearing is set to be pivotal over the direction of where the takeover is heading, and if it goes in the favour of the Toon, then the takeover process can be accelerated, which would offer some light at the end of the tunnel.
The Premier League would have to give their full cooperation of course, and so NUFC will have to come to an agreement with them if results go their way.
In other news, find out what update Liam Kennedy has dropped on the CAT takeover case here!