Premier League ‘fully considering’ calls to block Newcastle’s Saudi takeover, chief tells Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee
THE Premier League are reportedly “fully considering” calls to pull the plug on Newcastle’s £300m takeover.
Public Investment Fund and dealmaker Amanda Staveley were hoping to complete the deal that would finally see Mike Ashley relinquish control.
But now, according to The Telegraph, Premier League executive Richard Masters has been contacted by lawyers representing the fiancee of murdered Jamal Khashoggi.
Hatice Cengiz insists the deal, which would give the PIF an 80 per cent stake in Newcastle, is in breach of the PL’s owners’ and directors’ test.
Journalist Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
Independent investigators claim Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was directly involved — which he denies.
It will be Bin Salman’s £320BILLION that is backing the bid – monies that comfortably put him well ahead of other Premier League clubs.
It is reported that Cengiz’s pleas to stop the Saudi takeover are “being fully considered”
Masters wrote that he was “extremely sympathetic to your client’s position” in a letter to her lawyer Rodney Dixon QC.
But Prem chief Masters has so far refused to meet with Cengiz despite her defiance to do so.
She has accused the League of brushing her off and not giving her reassurance her concerns will be addressed.
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Bin Salman is chairman of the PIF and effectively ruler of the oil-rich nation, so Cengiz says he would exercise control over Toon, even if not named as a director.
Prem rules forbid anyone from having such a role if they have engaged in conduct that would constitute a serious offence in the UK, even if they had not been convicted of any crime.
Cengiz recently sent an open letter to Newcastle fans appealing to them to oppose the deal.