• Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Feature
  • Videos
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Feature
Videos
Infographs
In Pictures
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Europe
  4. Premier League clubs react to Newcastle ownership twist in dismay
Europe

Premier League clubs react to Newcastle ownership twist in dismay

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 2 Mar 16:05

Newcastle United's chairman, Yassir al-Rumayyan, is also a current minister in the Saudi government, triggering questions regarding the club's ownership.

  • General views outside Newcastle United's St James' Park stadium - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - October 7, 2021 (Reuters)
    General views outside Newcastle United's St James' Park stadium - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - October 7, 2021 (Reuters)

Premiere league clubs expressed their anger toward Newcastle United's chairman, Yassir al-Rumayyan, being "a sitting minister of the Saudi government." This led to calls from the human rights group Amnesty International for the re-examination of Newcastle's owners to ensure that the KSA would not have control of the club.

Angry football clubs do not intend to let the matter pass, according to The Guardian. Questions arose regarding the connection between Saudi Arabia and the Public Investment fund (PIF) after the document was filed this week.

A brief filed in a court case describes the PIF as “a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” and Rumayyan as “a sitting minister of the Saudi government”.

Read more: Premier League promises crackdown on 'tragedy chanting'

The PIF takeover of Newcastle was approved by the Premier League in 2021 post receiving "legally binding assurances" that Saudi Arabia does not have control over the club. However, Amnesty asked the English league to examine Newcastle's owners. 

“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 sports washing efforts,” Peter Frankental, Amnesty UK’s economic affairs director, said.

The PIF is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and has nine board members, eight of which are listed on the fund's website. Rumayyan is missing from the website even though course submissions describe him as a minister. 

Richard masters, The league’s chief executive, told BBC back in November 2021 that if they find evidence that Saudi Arabia was involved in running Newcastle, “we can remove the consortium as owners of the club”.

Neither the Premiere League and Newcastle, nor the PIF commented on this matter.

Read next: Man City charged by Premier League over 100+ alleged rule breaches

  • Newcastle United
  • United Kingdom
  • Premier League
  • Saudi Arabia

Trending Now

All
Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri becomes Premier League's youngest player at 15

Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri becomes Premier League's youngest player at 15

Most Read

US dollar may lose status as global reserve currency: Yellen

US dollar may lose status as global reserve currency: Yellen

  • US & Canada
  • 22 Mar
Poland

Poland may end up 'joining' Ukraine war: Polish Ambassador to France

  • Europe
  • 20 Mar
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference on 25, February, 2022. (AFP)

Kiev unable to launch counteroffensive: Zelensky

  • Europe
  • 25 Mar
Estonian troops parade in Narva, Estonia (AP)

NATO weighs deploying 300,000 troops on Russia's borders

  • Europe
  • 19 Mar

Read this

All
American soldiers patrol near prison that was attacked by the ISIS militants in Hassakeh, Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 (AP).
MENA

'Bring our troops home', demand US anti-interventionist Republicans

  • 25 Mar
Stand Up To Racism activists outside the High Court of Justice for England and Wales in London, December 19, 2022. (AP)
Europe

Army bases, disused ferries possible fate of asylum seekers in UK

  • 25 Mar
NATO bombing Yugoslavia with depleted uranium 'inhumane experiment'
Europe

NATO bombing Yugoslavia with depleted uranium 'inhumane': Serbia

  • 25 Mar
Protesters attend a demonstration against France's restrictions, including a compulsory health pass, to fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Paris, France, August 21, 2021. (Reuters)
Europe

French protesters, security forces clash violently in water protest

  • 25 Mar
Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS