Expressing concern of Premier League clubs about the presence of “Benselman” in English football

According to IRNA, the English Premier League announced last Thursday that Newcastle Club has been sold to a group consisting of the Saudi National Wealth Fund and PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.

The investment group had previously made a public offer of ۵ 305 million ($ 415 million) in April 2020 to buy Newcastle, but the deal was scrapped following an investigation by the Island League; The Island League came under pressure from Riyadh over growing concerns about the theft of television rights, and was forced to suspend the deal.

One side of the dispute over the theft of broadcasting rights was Qatar’s Bain Sports TV; A network that has bought the right to broadcast Island League matches in the Middle East and is banned in Riyadh due to political tensions with Saudi Arabia. The ban was lifted last Wednesday to remove one of the main obstacles to the transfer of ownership of Newcastle.

The Guardian reports that 19 Premier League clubs have reportedly opposed the licensing of a Saudi-led consortium to buy the full stake in former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

The clubs have also expressed concern that the Saudi-led consortium, specifically the Saudi National Wealth Fund, is headed by Muhammad bin Salman The ambitious Saudi prince is in charge, he can tarnish the “image” of the island league; The Saudi National Wealth Fund has bought an 80% stake in Newcastle Club.

International human rights bodies have urged the English Premier League to change the rules of the Premier League’s Owners and Managers Test to address “human rights” issues.

They have condemned Saudi Arabia’s use of sport as a tool to cover up its human rights record.