Just a bit of context on the @WTO report on beoutQ. The remit was to "rule on Saudi Arabia’s alleged failure to provide adequate protection of intellectual property rights.”
That's not quite the same as ruling on whether the Saudi government are/were directly behind beoutQ.

I haven't seen a copy of the final report yet so all I can say is the wording is going to be key. If it goes so far as to conclude beoutQ was run by the Saudi government it's clearly a huge win for beIN and it will indeed put the #NUFC takeover in doubt (and rightly so).

beIN have spent billions trying to defend this in multiple countries. And it's also cost hundreds of staffers their jobs in Doha, including about 10 of my old English colleagues last year.

However main @WTO remit was to establish or confirm where beoutQ originated from. Arabsat broadcasting frequencies in Riyadh, & apps like EDVTV, already showed a link back to Saudi not Cuba or Colombia. An EU report detailed this, so that aspect isn't new.

@WTO were also asked to adjudicate on whether the Saudi government did enough to shut beoutQ down. Saudis refused to cooperate arguing the 'rogue' feed was a matter of national security. US supported this. They had to cause they've made similar arguments before relating to trade.

There's a difference between failing to control piracy (or even proactively allowing it to happen) & directly starting/running the channel. Saudi government denies doing either so their response to this report will be very interesting.

Both are crimes, deserving of hefty punishments. But only latter would make it hard for PIF to assume control even if they argue MBS will have no influence. They're part of the government after all.

Former is legally more complicated. PIF can say they had no direct role & beoutQ is shut. But here's the thing: beoutQ isn't 'gone'. Boxes are very sophisticated & can still be repurposed to stream illegal content. Below is one I was given access to & it's by no means dead.

So yes I've huge sympathy with beIN. Victims of piracy & it has cost money & jobs. But I'm not sure WTO report alone will stop the takeover passing unless it does indeed deviate from the remit & categorically conclude the Saudi government started rather than 'supported' beoutQ.

From the PL's perspective, 'wanting' to say no (especially to make a statement on a piracy issue that extends well beyond #NUFC) and being legally able to do so are two very different things. This is sad for a lot of football fans, but ultimately good news for #NUFC fans.

(Side note: I wonder how many #NUFC fans will read the whole thread rather than just berate me as pro-beIN!)