October 09, (THEWILL) – According to reports THEWILL is following in England, English teams have complained to the English Premier League about Newcastle United’s takeover by a Saudi Arabia-led consortium and are calling for an emergency meeting next week.
As THEWILL reported, the EPL confirmed that Newcastle United was sold to a company comprising of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners, and RB Sports & Media two days ago.
In April 2020, the investment firm launched a 305 million pound ($415 million) proposal to purchase the club. Three months later, the transaction fell through due to pressure from the league, which was under pressure to halt the sale due to worries about alleged broadcast piracy in Saudi Arabia.
At the centre of the dispute was the Qatari-owned beIN Sports, the league’s Middle East broadcast rights holder, which had been banned from doing business in Saudi Arabia. On Wednesday, the restriction was lifted, removing a significant roadblock to the takeover.
The 19 Premier League clubs are widely believed to be united in their opposition to a Saudi-led consortium being allowed to buy out previous owner Mike Ashley.
The clubs are also concerned that Saudi Arabia’s PIF, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, buying an 80 percent ownership in Newcastle would damage the league’s brand especially based on the repressive legacy of the Middle Eastern country.
Amnesty International also called on the Premier League to alter its Owners’ and Directors’ Test to address human rights concerns on Thursday after the news of the buyout broke.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
