In May 2020, two Conservative MPs called upon the government to scrutinize aspects of the deal, with Karl McCartney calling for the sale to be blocked, and Giles Watling calling upon the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to hold an oral evidence session regarding sports piracy in Saudi Arabia. In May 2020, "The Guardian" reported that the Premier League had obtained a report from the World Trade Organization (published publicly the following month), which contained evidence that Saudi nationals had backed beoutQ — a pirate broadcaster carrying the beIN Sports networks in the region since the Qatar diplomatic crisis. In June 2020, "The Guardian" reported that Richard Masters, who appeared in front of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, had hinted possible takeover of Newcastle United. However, the MPs warned it would be “humiliating” to allow a Saudi Arabian consortium to take charge given the country’s record on piracy and human rights. In July 2020, "The Guardian" reported that Saudi Arabia’s decision to ban beIN Sports broadcast from operating in the nation, has further complicated the takeover of Newcastle United. On July 30, 2020, Saudi Arabia announced its withdrawal from the Newcastle deal, after multiple media reports highlighted realm as the staunch violator of human rights. And the WTO ruled that it was behind the piracy campaign using pirate-pay-service beoutQ. "With a deep appreciation for the Newcastle community and the significance of its football club, we have come to the decision to withdraw our interest in acquiring Newcastle United Football Club," the group said in its statement upon withdrawal.