The Newcastle takeover by the Saudi-backed consortium could be completed within the next fortnight with the Premier League’s owners and directors test being the final hurdle to clear before the \u00a3300million deal is complete.<\/p>\n
Despite letters being sent to the Premier League from Amnesty International and broadcaster beIN SPORTS within the last week, it is understood that no one connected to the takeover has been asked questions by the league about the issues of human-rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, ‘sportwashing’ or allegations of TV-rights piracy linked to the Saudi state.<\/p>\n
UK Culture secretary Oliver Dowden told a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee hearing last week that the final decision on the takeover rested with the league, after having received calls from the committee to intervene.<\/p>\n
Responding to the letter from Amnesty, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the league’s processes “go beyond those required by UK company law” and are applied “with equal rigour” to all clubs, and on an objective rather than subjective basis.<\/p>\n
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Arabian public investment fund (PIF) which will take an 80-per-cent stake, would become chairman of Newcastle United.<\/p>\n
Crucially though, it is expected there will be no unexpected decisions regarding other senior staff either on the business or the football side, which includes Steve Bruce.<\/p>\n
Newcastle supporters can be sure of expecting significant investment not only in the playing staff but also in other areas, though the new owners are said to be very mindful of the requirements to meet financial fair play regulations, both at domestic and European level.<\/p>\n
The current owner of Newcastle, Mike Ashley, has been paid a non-refundable \u00a317million deposit from the new owners, with the remaining \u00a3283m due on completion.<\/p>\n
As well as the Saudi PIF, 10 per cent of the club will be owned by PCP Capital Partners and the remaining 10 per cent by the Reuben brothers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"