Leaked messages from Amanda Staveley indicate that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was significantly involved in Newcastle United’s £305 million takeover by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Staveley’s communications reveal concerns about bin Salman’s patience during negotiations, raising questions regarding the independence of PIF amid scrutiny of the Saudi government’s human rights record. Both Staveley and representatives from PIF assert confidence in the assurances the Premier League received about their control over the club.
Recent revelations from leaked WhatsApp messages involving Amanda Staveley, the former minority co-owner of Newcastle United, indicate that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played a significant role in the club’s takeover. Staveley, who sold her shares and exited the board in July, was instrumental in brokering the £305 million deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which was finalized in October 2021. These communications suggest that bin Salman was pivotal in persuading the parties involved, particularly stressing his impatience and hinting at his influence over the negotiations. Staveley’s messages reveal her concerns regarding bin Salman’s dissatisfaction, stating that he was “losing patience,” and that efforts were being made to prevent him from withdrawing from the acquisition process. With bin Salman being the chairman of PIF, his involvement has led to questions surrounding the independence of the fund from the Saudi government, especially in light of the kingdom’s controversial human rights record and events like the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which the CIA has attributed to bin Salman’s approval. In response to the implications raised in the leaked messages, Staveley clarified through her legal representatives that her references to bin Salman were strictly in his capacity as PIF chairman and emphasized that these do not undermine the assurances provided to the Premier League about the fund’s autonomy. The Premier League had previously confirmed receiving legally binding assurances that the Saudi government would not control Newcastle United. Moreover, Spokespersons for both Staveley and the PIF expressed confidence regarding the adherence to these commitments, with Staveley maintaining that PIF operates as an independent investment entity. Currently, PIF holds an 85% stake in Newcastle, while the Reuben Brothers possess the remaining 15%. Staveley’s long-held aspiration to invest in Newcastle reached a turning point when she secured a meeting with PIF’s governor Yasir al-Rumayyan aboard bin Salman’s yacht in 2019, a move seen as crucial in advancing her cause. Reports have also indicated that the UK government was supportive of the takeover, with figures such as Lord Grimstone indicating they conveyed the need for the deal to progress without infringing upon the Premier League’s autonomy.
The Newcastle United acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been a matter of considerable scrutiny since its completion in October 2021. The takeover raised questions regarding the separation between the PIF and the Saudi state, particularly given the human rights concerns triggered by the actions of the Saudi government. The involvement of Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince, punctuates the complexities surrounding international sports ownership and the ethical considerations tied to it. Amanda Staveley, a notable figure in this acquisition, highlighted the significance of maintaining PIF’s autonomy and adherence to the assurances given to the Premier League, despite ongoing apprehensions regarding the crown prince’s role in the negotiations. Her communications from 2020 and 2021 may shed light on the dynamics of government and business interactions in facilitating this high-profile transaction.
In summary, the leaked messages from Amanda Staveley reveal a deep involvement of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Newcastle United takeover, showcasing his influence during the negotiations with former owner Mike Ashley. While Staveley maintains that her references to bin Salman were related to his role within the PIF, the public reaction continues to question the operational boundaries between the Saudi state and the investment fund. The Premier League’s assurances regarding the separation of PIF from government control have brought some stability, yet the situation remains a focal point for analysis about ethical ownership in sports.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
