Shields Gazette reporter Liam Kennedy is not surprised to have seen Newcastle United's arbitration case against the Premier League delayed.

The hearing over the stalled takeover of the club by Amanda Staveley's PCP Capital Partners, which is backed financially by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and the Reuben Brothers, has been put back until next year.

Newcastle and the Premier League confirmed the delay has come due to issues with the disclosure of evidence.

A takeover, which would see the Magpies become the richest club in the top flight, was agreed with current owner Mike Ashley in April 2020.

However, the potential buyers pulled out of the deal last July after growing frustrated with the Premier League being unable to reach a decision when scrutinising their owners' and directors' test.

Ashley was unhappy with the governing body's failure to reach a decision and, earlier this month, the club asked for the arbitration claim to be heard in public as they had 'nothing to hide'.

Kennedy, who is been following the latest developments closely, is not surprised by the news that the issue will not be revisited until next year.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "There has been this narrative of the Premier League being some kind of friendly force in this process and trying to get a decision. But they didn't and have been the delay.

"There has been constant silence and that's not just in public, that's behind the scenes as well.

"They've been the delaying factor in the whole thing, not the club and not the buyers."