Newcastle takeover: Saudi-led bid back on and close to Premier League approval [Update Post #48]

[shaykh]

For all the criticism of a possible Saudi takeover of Newcastle as ‘immoral’ one has to wonder how morality is defined especially when considering how the Emirati Royals seem to escape all scrutiny or criticism for their ownership of Man City...

A royal from the Emirari royal family apparently is fine despite the fact that Emiratis are battling both the Houthis and supporting the STC against the Saudi backed Islah in the Yemeni South ...where the Emiratis have used Sudanese child soldiers as young as 8...hired Colombian mercenaries...where their military have been accused of crimes ranging from indiscriminate air strikes, rape, torture of detainees...where they have armed tribal, Islamist militias against the Houthis ...for all the rightful chagrin that the Saudis get the Emiratis have been more forceful on the ground ...and have largely driven the war between North and South...and this is just for Yemen ...

And what of Libya where they broke arms embargoes in 2014 and have continued to arm and support Khalifa Haftar...pay the salaries of Haftar’s Sudanese, Chadian and Russian mercenaries...and have direct control of two Libyan airbases...all leading the bloc in their proxy war against the Turks and Qataris...and where they continue to launch air strikes ...
In Syria they have praised Assad for his wise leadership and provided him with funding and arms to help with Assad’s Idlib offensive against the Turks_.

Some might put all this down to realpolitik ...ie opposition to the Turkish backed GNA in Libya, or opposition to the Iranian backed Houthis in Yemen...proxy wars don’t really have good guys...

So beyond foreign policy ...what else does Saudi do that’s ‘immoral’ ...a country which is an absolute monarchy where free press, free speech, rule of law, independent judiciary and elections don’t exist...where prisoners are detained without due process...where homosexuality is an imprisonable offence...all things which Abu Dhabi shares ...

Is quite amusing that Pep can criticise Spain for being authoritarian and a place of ideological repression considering the club he manages ...but that’s a side note...

So in short what exactly is especially immoral about the Saudi takeover bid?...

 

[sweep_shot]

It is not immoral. Politics shouldn't pollute sports.

World focuses on KSA's so called human rights violations while turning a blind eye to Israel's atrocities.

 

[finalfantasy7]

It is not immoral. Politics shouldn't pollute sports.

World focuses on KSA's so called human rights violations while turning a blind eye to Israel's atrocities.

why just stop at sports- condemn saudi in everything they do including all thr shares in disney and so on

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Football has morality?.

 

[JaDed]

It is not immoral. Politics shouldn't pollute sports.

World focuses on KSA's so called human rights violations while turning a blind eye to Israel's atrocities.

World? You do the same, Turkey has invaded Syria and is currently in Libya too but he is strongest leader as per your own words.

 

[Bigboii]

Nothing is immoral it's making money isn't it
I mean if someone don't agree than they can boycott Newcastle matches just like people do Israeli products

That should be the limit of the immortality debate

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It's a bit late to start talking about immorality in football now when we've had clubs for sale to the highest bidder for decades now. Abramovic transformed Chelsea and he had shady links to Russian politicians, and the same could be said of Man City's UAE owners. The game sold out a long time ago, now it's all about money, and there's not really a place for morality there.

 

[Mamoon]

None of the other billionaire owners are saints.

I personally thing this is brilliant. NUFC is a fantastic club - a true British football club that deserves to compete for the PL and UCL.

I really wish Arsenal would find its sugar daddy as well. The club is reaching the deepest pits of mediocrity and needs a factory reset from top to bottom. I am afraid if things do not change in the next 4-5 years, the club will forever be reduced to mid-table mediocrity and become the biggest small club in Europe.

 

[finalfantasy7]

None of the other billionaire owners are saints.

I personally thing this is brilliant. NUFC is a fantastic club - a true British football club that deserves to compete for the PL and UCL.

I really wish Arsenal would find its sugar daddy as well. The club is reaching the deepest pits of mediocrity and needs a factory reset from top to bottom. I am afraid if things do not change in the next 4-5 years, the club will forever be reduced to mid-table mediocrity and become the biggest small club in Europe.

nufc have no history, clubs like Southampton , everton are bigger in terms of history than nufc.

nufc have a very loyal fan base on them and thats it, thr club have been in shambles for along time.

 

[shaz619]

Neither of us would complain if they bought and pumped a sh!t ton of money in Villa, I think it's more immoral that they are going for a trampy club like Newcastle

 

[shaykh]

Neither of us would complain if they bought and pumped a sh!t ton of money in Villa, I think it's more immoral that they are going for a trampy club like Newcastle

Read my original post ...I find it quite rich that the moral argument is being made considering the background of Man City’s owners...

We actually have incredibly rich owners Shaz...the problem is FFP ...they cant use that money atm ...they are busy developing revenue streams commercially ...but the fact is we need to actually be a good team for them to flash their cash...

Let’s hope at least there are two sides worse than us this season ...West Ham and Bournemouth are actually giving me a little hope ...

 

[Hasan123]

What people don't understand is with FFP these owners aren't going to be able to spend 200 million in a window line City did unless Newcastle starting generating high revenues and making big profits. Everton have had billionaire owner for a while and they aren't getting into the champions league.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

What people don't understand is with FFP these owners aren't going to be able to spend 200 million in a window line City did unless Newcastle starting generating high revenues and making big profits. Everton have had billionaire owner for a while and they aren't getting into the champions league.

Everton have certainly spent CL money ... It's all about being cute, like Wolves, who I'm sure are abusing third party ownership rules

 

[Mamoon]

nufc have no history, clubs like Southampton , everton are bigger in terms of history than nufc.

nufc have a very loyal fan base on them and thats it, thr club have been in shambles for along time.

Aston Villa, Everton and N. Forest are bigger than NUFC, but Southampton is a significantly smaller club when take you all metrics into account.

They have been in shambles for a long time but that doesn’t change the fact that it is a great football club with one of the best stadiums in England.

It is one of those clubs that has been ready for a big takeover for a long time because it has everything - fan base, iconic presence, stadium etc. The only thing it lacked was a rich owner with ambition.

If this goes through, by 2030, we could see them at nearly the same level as Man City today, and it is great for English football.

 

[Mamoon]

Everton have certainly spent CL money ... It's all about being cute, like Wolves, who I'm sure are abusing third party ownership rules

There is a lot of dodgy stuff going on at Wolves. They are brilliant to watch and have a terrific manager, but the transfers of the Portuguese players need to be investigated.

 

[Mamoon]

What people don't understand is with FFP these owners aren't going to be able to spend 200 million in a window line City did unless Newcastle starting generating high revenues and making big profits. Everton have had billionaire owner for a while and they aren't getting into the champions league.

Which is why it is more important to find the right manager at this point than eye big name players. Smart signings with gradual big transfers could see NUFC establish themselves as a major force in a decade.

They need to stay clear of serial loser Pochettino.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Aston Villa, Everton and N. Forest are bigger than NUFC, but Southampton is a significantly smaller club when take you all metrics into account.

They have been in shambles for a long time but that doesn’t change the fact that it is a great football club with one of the best stadiums in England.

It is one of those clubs that has been ready for a big takeover for a long time because it has everything - fan base, iconic presence, stadium etc. The only thing it lacked was a rich owner with ambition.

If this goes through, by 2030, we could see them at nearly the same level as Man City today, and it is great for English football.

thr stadium is big - but its really outdated - like i said thr fanbase is loyal

thr owner is rich- he's a billionaire -but a complete idiot, he treats all of his staff as thr criminals, here in the UK we have a bbc investigation program called panorama - which secretly investigates companies and then bbc shows it - honestly hes very sub contaminant mentality and how he runs all of his businesses

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Aston Villa, Everton and N. Forest are bigger than NUFC, but Southampton is a significantly smaller club when take you all metrics into account.

They have been in shambles for a long time but that doesn’t change the fact that it is a great football club with one of the best stadiums in England.

It is one of those clubs that has been ready for a big takeover for a long time because it has everything - fan base, iconic presence, stadium etc. The only thing it lacked was a rich owner with ambition.

If this goes through, by 2030, we could see them at nearly the same level as Man City today, and it is great for English football.

Forest are certainly not bigger than Newcastle, they are a mid-level club with a smallish fan base and matching stadium. They have had more recent success which makes them appear bigger than they are. Newcastle are actually more closer to Villa and Everton traditionally, and if anything they have more potential with it being a one club city. That is why you have always had big interest from investors abroad, Newcastle has massive potential to be one of the biggest and most unique clubs in the world. Like Liverpool it is a football city through and through, if the Saudi takeover is completed, you will see it rise to prominence pretty quickly in the Premier League.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Interesting thread, the Saudi takeover is immoral because of Yemen, Libya et al, yet the UK which supports them in all these endeavours with tons of arms sales is somehow in a position to judge

 

[Mamoon]

Forest are certainly not bigger than Newcastle, they are a mid-level club with a smallish fan base and matching stadium. They have had more recent success which makes them appear bigger than they are. Newcastle are actually more closer to Villa and Everton traditionally, and if anything they have more potential with it being a one club city. That is why you have always had big interest from investors abroad, Newcastle has massive potential to be one of the biggest and most unique clubs in the world. Like Liverpool it is a football city through and through, if the Saudi takeover is completed, you will see it rise to prominence pretty quickly in the Premier League.

Forest have European pedigree though, but yes I agree that Newcastle beats them on other fronts.

It would be fun to watch the Saudis (NUFC) and Qataris (PSG) lock horns in Europe. That’s football in the 21st century.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Forest have European pedigree though, but yes I agree that Newcastle beats them on other fronts.

It would be fun to watch the Saudis (NUFC) and Qataris (PSG) lock horns in Europe. That’s football in the 21st century.

Newcastle also has the differentiator of being the last northern city before you reach Scotland, and when you cross the Tyne Bridge to enter the city it does probably feel like entering a different country to those from the rest of England. I think the Arab world will quickly form an attachment to the club, there will be some similarities in mentality of the people.

By the way I am impressed by your knowledge, you probably know more about NUFC than lots of British desis who tend to attach themselves to whichever club is currently flavour of the month rather than support their own team.

 

[Mamoon]

Newcastle also has the differentiator of being the last northern city before you reach Scotland, and when you cross the Tyne Bridge to enter the city it does probably feel like entering a different country to those from the rest of England. I think the Arab world will quickly form an attachment to the club, there will be some similarities in mentality of the people.

By the way I am impressed by your knowledge, you probably know more about NUFC than lots of British desis who tend to attach themselves to whichever club is currently flavour of the month rather than support their own team.

I know my English football, partly because my cousins are Arsenal season ticket holders and I fell in love with the club because of them.

Haven’t been to Newcastle, but I have heard similar stuff from those who have.

 

[Firebat]

Forest have European pedigree though, but yes I agree that Newcastle beats them on other fronts.

It would be fun to watch the Saudis (NUFC) and Qataris (PSG) lock horns in Europe. That’s football in the 21st century.

I'm imagining a Champions League final between these 2 in 10 years, probably the most political match in footballing history.

 

[shaykh]

Newcastle also has the differentiator of being the last northern city before you reach Scotland, and when you cross the Tyne Bridge to enter the city it does probably feel like entering a different country to those from the rest of England. I think the Arab world will quickly form an attachment to the club, there will be some similarities in mentality of the people.

By the way I am impressed by your knowledge, you probably know more about NUFC than lots of British desis who tend to attach themselves to whichever club is currently flavour of the month rather than support their own team.

I can’t speak for elsewhere but in London it’s pretty much Man Utd or Liverpool who Asians support ...

 

[Hasan123]

Everton have certainly spent CL money ... It's all about being cute, like Wolves, who I'm sure are abusing third party ownership rules

Everton have spent big but aren't near CL. They won't be spending as big with FFP becoming stricter after covid19 clears.

 

[Hasan123]

Which is why it is more important to find the right manager at this point than eye big name players. Smart signings with gradual big transfers could see NUFC establish themselves as a major force in a decade.

They need to stay clear of serial loser Pochettino.

What Newcastle should do is sign top young talent from overseas like Szoboszlai, Upamecano, Soumare, etc. These players will improve them. They should stay away from players like James and Cavani who only want a final pay cheque. Young and hungry players who want to improve and a couple of years away from their peak should be the target.

Pochettino would be a good hiring for them. They won't win the premier league even if they are taken over. Should target champions league football first in any case.

 

[shaykh]

What Newcastle should do is sign top young talent from overseas like Szoboszlai, Upamecano, Soumare, etc. These players will improve them. They should stay away from players like James and Cavani who only want a final pay cheque. Young and hungry players who want to improve and a couple of years away from their peak should be the target.

Pochettino would be a good hiring for them. They won't win the premier league even if they are taken over. Should target champions league football first in any case.

Soumare as it happens turned them down ...those players you mentioned would never go to Newcastle...they are small fry ...what I will say is a coup is landing saint-maximin ...he won’t be there for long ...

 

[Hasan123]

Soumare as it happens turned them down ...those players you mentioned would never go to Newcastle...they are small fry ...what I will say is a coup is landing saint-maximin ...he won’t be there for long ...

If they pay the fee the clubs want and offer good wages they maybe interested. Need the right manager to convince them of the project. Steve Bruce won't take Newcastle very far. Must get Pochettino or another top manager who is available.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

I can’t speak for elsewhere but in London it’s pretty much Man Utd or Liverpool who Asians support ...

That's absurd considering the clubs there ...Turks/Muslims support Arsenal and Cypriots/punjabis support Spurs?

 

[msb314]

Forest have European pedigree though, but yes I agree that Newcastle beats them on other fronts.

It would be fun to watch the Saudis (NUFC) and Qataris (PSG) lock horns in Europe. That’s football in the 21st century.

Newcastle have European history too. Reached UCL semifinals as recently as 2001 or 2002 whilst Nottingham Forest were last dominant in the 70’s in the old European cup.

In the Premier League - it’s day and night between the two clubs. Newcastle were a very dominant side in the 1990’s under Keegan regularly challenging Man Utd. They also finished as high as 5th during the 2011/12 season plus are reknown for star players like Alan Shearer, Papis Cisse etc.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I can’t speak for elsewhere but in London it’s pretty much Man Utd or Liverpool who Asians support ...

Well that is only because those clubs have been successful over the last few decades, otherwise what connection does a Londoner have to Liverpool or Manchester? There's no shortage of London clubs, why not support whichever one is representing your locality?

 

[shaykh]

Newcastle have European history too. Reached UCL semifinals as recently as 2001 or 2002 whilst Nottingham Forest were last dominant in the 70’s in the old European cup.

In the Premier League - it’s day and night between the two clubs. Newcastle were a very dominant side in the 1990’s under Keegan regularly challenging Man Utd. They also finished as high as 5th during the 2011/12 season plus are reknown for star players like Alan Shearer, Papis Cisse etc.

I think the importance of history is very overstated ...Man City have no history but are arguably the biggest club bar Man Utd and its down to commercial revenue which is built off success...Newcastle have 0 success...

I’m a Villa fan, we won the Champions League, we used to regularly come 5th...we nearly won the title in 92/93...we have won league cups in my lifetime...but we aren’t a big club anymore...

The last time Newcastle won a trophy is when my great grandparents were around ...historically they aren’t a big club and in current terms they aren’t either ...

 

[shaykh]

Well that is only because those clubs have been successful over the last few decades, otherwise what connection does a Londoner have to Liverpool or Manchester? There's no shortage of London clubs, why not support whichever one is representing your locality?

Not disputing that ...Gujuratis in particular are terrible for this ...pretty much epitomise glory hunters....

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Soumare as it happens turned them down ...those players you mentioned would never go to Newcastle...they are small fry ...what I will say is a coup is landing saint-maximin ...he won’t be there for long ...

He'll stay at Newcastle if the Saudis complete the takeover. Man City was not an attractive club prior to the Mansour family buyout, now which top player doesn't want to go there? Man City was very much the 'other club' in the city before that, they didn't even have the unique geography of Newcastle until recently.

 

[shaykh]

He'll stay at Newcastle if the Saudis complete the takeover. Man City was not an attractive club prior to the Mansour family buyout, now which top player doesn't want to go there? Man City was very much the 'other club' in the city before that, they didn't even have the unique geography of Newcastle until recently.

Someone’s mentioned it already but that was in the days before FFP...

At Villa we have among the richest owners in the league but they can’t behave as such...FFP has pretty much closed the door on there being new big clubs ...

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Someone’s mentioned it already but that was in the days before FFP...

At Villa we have among the richest owners in the league but they can’t behave as such...FFP has pretty much closed the door on there being new big clubs ...

FFP is going to be suspended for a while as far as I know due to the impact of Coronavirus, football authorities are desperate for investment in the game.

 

[shaz619]

Read my original post ...I find it quite rich that the moral argument is being made considering the background of Man City’s owners...

We actually have incredibly rich owners Shaz...the problem is FFP ...they cant use that money atm ...they are busy developing revenue streams commercially ...but the fact is we need to actually be a good team for them to flash their cash...

Let’s hope at least there are two sides worse than us this season ...West Ham and Bournemouth are actually giving me a little hope ...

To be a good team we need good players and to utilise them correctly, money I understand is not everything but how you spend it is; am not a fan of the 'head coach' position either, as a manager you have more influence when it comes to the players you'd like. Dean Smith is better then what the results suggest and we have been incredibly sloppy this season throwing away games from good positions, deserve to get relegated tbh and it looks it when you look at the remaining West Ham fixtures compared to others at the bottom, they beat Chelsea to. Anyway, regardless of how small Newcastle are I see this as a major boost for them.

 

[Firebat]

Lazio striker Ciro Immobile has claimed he was the recipient of an enquiry from the Saudi-led consortium that were attempting to buy Newcastle before the deal fell through.

 

[MenInG]

Newcastle are targeting Manchester United defender Chris Smalling as Steve Bruce looks to strengthen his backline.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Newcastle are targeting Manchester United defender Chris Smalling as Steve Bruce looks to strengthen his backline.

cant see him going to newcastle,he played very good with roma, he will sign for roma - roma are being tight but they will pay what man utd want

 

[SensiblePakFan]

A Saudi Prince already owns Sheffield United, and you cant have 2 owners from the same family Owning 2 teams.

 

[WC-Passion]

A Saudi Prince already owns Sheffield United, and you cant have 2 owners from the same family Owning 2 teams.

I do find it weird that everyone is up in arms about the potential Newcastle takeover, yet everyone praises Sheffield United? How is this even an issue all of a sudden? I agree that it's a bit of a dodgy PR move on Saudi's part but when you live in a country that sends arms to them, can you really be shocked at there being no investigation morally into this by that part of the government or premier league?

Point is, even if Sheffield United weren't owned by Saudis it still doesn't make sense.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Newcastle needed the Saudis far more than Saudis needed Newcastle. Let’s be honest, most billionaires are shady as. And the breakdown in the deal isn’t going to make the club anymore lucrative to that class of people. Maybe Rupert Murdoch can buy the club but I see a conflict of interest written all over it.

 

[Firebat]

Singapore-backed company Bellagraph Nova Group claims it has held talks with Newcastle over the possible takeover of the club.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Newcastle United have confirmed The Premier League have officially rejected Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed takeover of the club. Mike Ashley, who is currently on Tyneside, is now understood to be considering his legal options. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFCTakeover?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NUFCTakeover</a></p>— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/1303765684904775680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

Newcastle takeover: Premier League rejects Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed bid

Newcastle have criticised the Premier League after they officially rejected Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed takeover of the club.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who has been looking to sell the north-east club for well over a year, is understood to be considering his legal options.

Ashley is also understood to be extremely frustrated at the process, having attempted to resurrect talks over a potential sale.

Staveley has now twice failed to complete a takeover of Newcastle, having been previously unsuccessful in her attempts to buy the club in 2017.

A Newcastle statement read: “Newcastle United can confirm that the Premier League has rejected a takeover bid made by PCP Capital Partners, the Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) based on its Owners and Directors test.

“This conclusion has been reached despite the club providing the Premier League with overwhelming evidence and legal opinions that PIF is independent and autonomous of the Saudi Arabian government.

“The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately in relation to this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them.

“Mike Ashley understands fans’ frustrations and would like to reassure them that he has been fully committed to ensuring this takeover process reached completion as he felt it was in the best interests of the club.

“Mike continues to be fully supportive to Steve Bruce, the players and all the staff and wishes them well for the upcoming season.”

Sky Sports News have approached the Premier League for comment.

Ashley is currently in Newcastle spending time with manager Steve Bruce and the club’s managing director, Lee Charnley.

He flew in by helicopter on Wednesday afternoon to meet the club’s three new signings - Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis.

Bruce says Ashley and Charnley worked “tremendously hard” to secure the signings of Lewis, Wilson and Fraser.

Newcastle announced the arrival of left-back Lewis from Norwich for £15m on Tuesday, while former Bournemouth forward Wilson and free agent Fraser both arrived at St James’ Park earlier in the week.

“I never had to really twist anybody’s arm,” Bruce told Sky Sports News. “I think what happened with Dwight put us into a place where nobody wants to be, because you don’t want your centre forward - who did really well towards the back end of last season - getting injured.

“In conversations I had with Lee we spoke about how we could get someone through the door who will improve us - especially strikers - and what I wanted was for them to be a little bit proven in the Premier League.”

https://www.skysports.com/football/...gue-rejects-amanda-staveleys-saudi-backed-bid

 

[Firebat]

Newcastle: Premier League disappointed at claim after takeover fails

The Premier League says it is "disappointed and surprised" after Newcastle accused it of not acting appropriately in its handling of a failed takeover of the club by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium.

In July the group, which included Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund PIF, said it had backed out of the deal, and on Wednesday Newcastle said the Premier League had rejected the bid.

But the Premier League said: "The assertion that the Premier League rejected the takeover is incorrect."

Its statement added: "The Premier League Board has, on a number of occasions, given its opinion about which entities it believes would have control over the club should the consortium proceed with the acquisition. That opinion is based on legal advice.

"This means the potential takeover could proceed to the next stage should the relevant entities provide all appropriate information. They would then be subject to a suitability assessment by the board.

"As an alternative, the board has repeatedly offered independent arbitration as a way forward since June.

"It's also incorrect to suggest these decisions were taken by any individual; they were agreed unanimously by all Premier League board members."

The consortium, which also included PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers, agreed a £300m deal to buy Newcastle from owner Mike Ashley in April.

In August the bid failed after the consortium rejected the offer of arbitration to determine who would own the club.

On Wednesday Newcastle said in a statement: "The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately in relation to this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them.

"This conclusion has been reached despite the club providing the Premier League with overwhelming evidence and legal opinions that PIF is independent and autonomous of the Saudi Arabian government."

Speaking to BBC Sport earlier on Wednesday, Masters said he had "sympathy" for Newcastle fans because of the lack of information they received.

"There's a reasonable expectation on all the parties involved for confidentiality - that's what we were trying to respect," he said.

Masters also said the Premier League would "look again" at the "issues and specifics" of its owners' and directors' test.

The bid was led by British financier Amanda Staveley, but PIF would have taken an 80% stake.

PIF's chairman is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and it appeared the Premier League's lawyers had been struggling to establish the precise links between the consortium and the Saudi government.

The Premier League's rules meant it wanted to know who would have control, where funding would come from, and who would appoint the board.

Masters said that because the consortium ended its bid before the issue was resolved, there was "never any point" when the Premier League board was "asked to make an assessment on the suitability of all members of the consortium".

Human rights groups and Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, had opposed the takeover.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54095850

 

[Saj]

The Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United looks to be back on after the Saudi state resolved its issues with beIN Sports over illegal streaming of Premier League football.

The deal that would see an end to Mike Ashley's 14-year ownership of the club still needs Premier League approval, but significant progress has been made following the agreement between beIN and the Saudis on Wednesday.

It is believed an agreement between the Saudis and the Premier League could be reached soon, which would finally bring an end to the 18-month saga.

 

[Firebat]

Newcastle takeover: Saudi Arabian-backed deal is close

A Saudi Arabian takeover of Newcastle United is close to being agreed.

Approval from the Premier League could possibly come in the next 24 hours after a consortium proved the Saudi state would not have control of the club.

Instead the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is set to provide 80% of funds for the £300m deal, will be seen as separate to the state and therefore allow the takeover to pass the Premier League owners' and directors' test.

It was believed that a resolution came after Saudi Arabia settled an alleged piracy dispute with Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports, which own rights to show Premier League matches in the Middle East.

But sources have told BBC Sport that an agreement between the Premier League and the consortium was found prior to the news emerging on Wednesday, with the two parties being set for arbitration on 3 January.

The Saudi Arabian state has been accused of human rights abuses, but with the majority owner PIF deemed a separate entity, that, and any piracy issues, are no longer an impediment to the takeover in the Premier League's view.

The shock news will delight the fanbase after a Newcastle United Supporters' Trust survey on Tuesday showed that 93% of its members were in favour of the takeover.

Many fans want current owner Mike Ashley to leave the club after a 14-year reign, which they believe has been plagued by a lack of investment and ambition.

The Premier League and Newcastle have declined to comment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58821131

 

[Firebat]

Newcastle United: Premier League 'must re-examine' takeover after chairman described as Saudi minister

The Premier League "needs to re-examine the assurances" it was given about potential Saudi state control of Newcastle United, says human rights group Amnesty International.

Newcastle's takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) was approved after "legally binding assurances" the Saudi government would not have any control over the club.

However, in a US court case Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has been described as "a sitting minister of the government" with "sovereign immunity".

The statements have been made by lawyers representing LIV Golf, owned by the PIF, which also has a controlling stake in Newcastle.

"It was always stretching credulity to breaking point to imagine that the Saudi state wasn't directing the buyout of Newcastle with the ultimate aim of using the club as a component in its wider sportswashing efforts," said Peter Frankental, Amnesty International's UK economic affairs director.

"There's an unmistakable irony in the sovereign wealth fund declaration emerging in a dispute about another arm of Saudi Arabia's growing sports empire, but the simple fact is that Saudi sportswashing is affecting numerous sports and governing bodies need to respond to it far more effectively.

"The Premier League will surely need to re-examine the assurances made about the non-involvement of the Saudi authorities in the Newcastle deal, not least as there's still a Qatari bid for Manchester United currently on the table."

The Premier League has declined to comment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64821422

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Neither of us would complain if they bought and pumped a sh!t ton of money in Villa, I think it's more immoral that they are going for a trampy club like Newcastle

Bit of an old post but wasn't really active then but trampy club? Bit harsh, what's that based on?