Leaked messages suggest Mohammed bin Salman was deeply involved in Newcastle United’s takeover, raising concerns about the independence of the Public Investment Fund. Amanda Staveley, the former minority owner, played a key role in the £305 million deal, which was finalized after the Premier League received assurances regarding Saudi control. The background of human rights issues and the UK’s facilitation of the deal adds complexity to the narrative surrounding this acquisition.
Recent revelations from leaked WhatsApp messages belonging to former Newcastle United minority co-owner Amanda Staveley indicate that Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, played a significant role in the club’s takeover. Staveley, who divested her shares in July 2021, was instrumental in securing the £305 million acquisition deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which was finalized in October 2021 after the Premier League received formal assurances concerning the separation of the Saudi government from the PIF. The leaked messages, reported by the Telegraph, suggest that bin Salman was a crucial figure in the negotiations. Staveley warned the camp of former club owner Mike Ashley that “the Crown Prince is losing patience” and referenced efforts made to prevent bin Salman from withdrawing from the agreement. Moreover, she noted that “The UK Saudi ambassador spoke to the Crown Prince this morning.” While the Premier League mandated reassurances regarding the independence of the PIF, concerns about the human rights record in Saudi Arabia continue to cast a shadow over this ownership. There has been considerable skepticism, particularly following the conclusion of the CIA report that implicated bin Salman in the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an allegation that he has consistently denied. In responding to the allegations surrounding the leaked messages, Staveley indicated through her lawyers that references to bin Salman were exclusive to his role as chairman of the PIF and contested any insinuation that the PIF was not independent from the Saudi government as “illogical”. Following the Premier League’s investigation in October 2021, assurances were provided that the Saudi government would not have control over Newcastle United. Staveley previously described the PIF as “an autonomous commercially driven investment fund”. Furthermore, public disclosures indicate that in assisting the takeover, the UK government was aware of potential repercussions for future investments, yet emphasized that its role was strictly to facilitate discussions between the PIF and the Premier League. Currently, the PIF holds an 85% stake in Newcastle, while Staveley originally owned a 10% stake before divesting. The remaining 15% is under the ownership of the Reuben Brothers. Staveley’s long-standing ambition to acquire a position within Newcastle was significantly bolstered by her meeting with PIF governor Yasir al-Rumayyan aboard bin Salman’s yacht in 2019, which marked a turning point in her involvement.
The subject of this article revolves around the controversial takeover of Newcastle United by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the alleged involvement of Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince. Following years of speculation regarding the separation of the PIF from the Saudi state, leaked communications have brought the extent of this connection into question. The Premier League’s decision to approve the acquisition came amidst widespread scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, particularly in light of the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which has implicated the crown prince. Amanda Staveley’s role as a co-owner who brokered the deal further complicates the narrative as recent messages suggest that she may have been in direct communication with key stakeholders, including the Crown Prince himself, during the negotiation process.
In summary, the leaked messages from Amanda Staveley highlight the deep involvement of Mohammed bin Salman in the acquisition of Newcastle United by the Public Investment Fund. Despite assurances from the Premier League regarding the PIF’s independence, the implications of these communications raise questions about the separation of the Saudi government from club operations. As the ownership of Newcastle continues to be a subject of discussion, the intersection of politics, business, and sports remains a complex issue with significant ramifications.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
