Premier League will not review Saudi Newcastle deal after Bin Salman claims
State’s de facto leader allegedly approved 2022 takeoverPremier League believes its rules have not been broken
The Premier League sees no reason to review the legality of Newcastle United’s takeover by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund after reports of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s extensive involvement in the deal.
A set of leaked WhatsApp messages from the former Newcastle minority co-owner Amanda Staveley obtained by the Telegraph suggest the buyout hinged on the approval of Bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader. Although the £305m takeover led by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund in 2022 was approved only once the Premier League received “legally binding assurances” that the Saudi state would not control Newcastle, it is understood the governing body will not be re-examining its legitimacy.
