From the Guardian, UK:
Newcastle United’s £300 million takeover is at the heart of a geopolitical storm stemming from a long-running dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with the Doha-based broadcaster beIN Sports demanding the Premier League consider blocking the deal.
Although sources close to the takeover maintain no red flags have been raised as the Premier League conducts its mandatory owners’ and directors’ test, Qatar’s beIN Sports is urging that Saudi Arabia should be accountable for a pirate network that illegally transmits English top-tier games. It has appealed not only to the league but to the respective chairmen of the top division’s clubs, highlighting what it says is a threat their intellectual property – and incomes.
Given that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is set to take an 80% stake in Newcastle – with the Yorkshire-born financier Amanda Staveley and the UK company Reuben Brothers each assuming 10% holdings – and beIN is one of the Premier League’s principal overseas broadcast partners the potential diplomatic repercussions could be considerable.
Nonetheless, sources working on the takeover remain confident there will be no last-minute hitches, hinting that Premier League checks that have been under way for a fortnight are approaching a conclusion. It has also been noted that, despite similar concerns, the Premier League approved Sheffield United’s full transfer of ownership to Saudi hands last year.