Premier League chief Richard Masters has told Newcastle United fans that the Saudi-backed group which pulled out of the takeover process could yet resume negotiations.
Taking questions from the Newcastle United Supporters Trust over 30 minutes, Masters said the door remains open for the consortium that withdrew its interest in United to revive takeover talks - but vehemently rejected accusations of outside influence on the test.
The Evening Chronicle reports Masters "passionately defended" the Owners and Directors process, and defended the offer of arbitration, rejecting claims by the consortium assurances had been given that there were "no red flags" on the process.
He has emphasised that it is up to them if they want to return to the table - with their withdrawal never communicated to league officials.
In a 30-minute question and answer session with the Trust on Wednesday, Masters said:
- The door remains open for the Saudi-backed takeover if the group decide to come back to the table
- Rejected talk that any of the club's Premier League rivals had influenced the process
- Denied there were assurances about no red flags given to the group
