After months of debate, the Saudi Public Investment Fund will not be purchasing Newcastle United. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (SPIF), led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has announced that they are pulling out of their attempts to buy the Premier League team.
The Saudis are reportedly annoyed that the Premier League spent so much time vetting them. Saudi Arabia has one of the worst human rights records in the world and Mohammed bin Salman has been accused of killing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, so it’s understandable the Premier League wanted to take their time. Another rumor is that hated Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley also reportedly tried to get the SPIF to pay more money at the last minute, causing the Saudis to drop the bid, but this has not been confirmed. Or maybe they just dropped the bid because $49 million striker Joelinton scored just two goals all season, as many as Arsenal defender David Luiz.
The Premier League will be extremely relieved by this news, as they would have been forced to take many sides. Human rights activists wanted the move to be blocked because of the Saudis’ terrible human rights records. Qatari sports network beIn Sports, the Premier League’s biggest overseas broadcasters, wanted the deal to be blocked because they have a rivalry with the Saudis, who reportedly illegally broadcasted their matches. Journalist Hatice Cengiz, the fiancée of murdered Jamal Khashoggi, urged the Premier League to block the deal.
With the Premier League more popular than ever, people are calling for the league to add human rights policies. The Premier League shouldn’t need much vetting to tell that Mohammed bin Salman, who killed Khashoggi brutally and has played a huge role in the crisis in Yemen, both isn’t fit to own and isn’t deserving of a Premier League team. What do you think?
Image Courtesy of Jonathan Peters (Govvy) / CC BY.
–
Don’t worry if your comment does not show up, all comments must be approved to reduce spam. I hope you enjoyed, and as always, keep watching soccer!
