Top-Flight Clubs complain about Newcastle United takeover

A number of Premier League clubs have complained about the recent takeover of Newcastle United, by a Saudi Arabian backed consortium.

The clubs’ frustration appears to come from concerns on how the consortium’s hierarchy passed the owners and directors test. Concern arose when clubs were not kept in the loop as the deal escalated towards completion last week. Alongside, there are many worries with the club’s new relations with the Saudi state and the alleged abuse of human rights present in the state.

Clubs are now demanding a meeting with the Premier League to go through their various issues – one being that Newcastle’s takeover process – was meant to remain confidential. They believe that they should have been consulted on new owners, that have links to such a controversial state.

A big issue is that clubs were not told of the change that allowed the deal to continue, and eventually complete the deal, considering the many issues that emerged upon the original interest from the Saudi backed consortium.

The Premier League stated that it had received legal confirmation that Saudi backers, would not have any control over Newcastle, thus allowing the league to give the takeover the go-ahead, although clubs believe they should have been consulted on this.

Newcastle’s takeover ends Mike Ashley’s 14-year hold over the club, and could possibly make the Magpies one of the richest clubs in the world. Following the takeover, Amanda Staveley, who has headed up the whole process, told the BBC that they took allegations of human rights abuse seriously and reiterated the fact that there would be no Saudi control over the club.

"“It is not Saudi state it’s PIF. We take Saudi’s human rights record very seriously, and want to make it very clear that we are not them, they have no control.”This is very much about PIF’s investment into a fantastic football team and look forward growing the club.” (via BBC Sport)"

It is not yet known whether the clubs’ complaints will be heard, but there is a possibility of some clubs taking legal action, as they believe Saudi interest within the Premier League could be detrimental to everyone involved.