Premier League chief govt Richard Masters declined to touch upon Newcastle FC’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and whether or not NUFC’s possession is beneath investigation.
Masters, who was talking earlier than a choose committee in Westminster, answered a query from Labor MP Clive Afford, saying he was unable to enter “regulatory issues” or the “investigation process”.
“I’m afraid I can’t really comment on it,” he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“Even to say ‘is the Premier League trying into it?’, I am unable to actually remark. Obviously we’re absolutely conscious and also you’re proper in regards to the basic nature of the undertakings we obtained on the time of the acquisition however I am unable to actually go into that in any respect.
“The solely occasions the Premier League feedback publicly on regulatory points is when it’s charged and on the finish of the method when an unbiased panel decides whether or not there has in truth been a rule breach. We don’t discuss in regards to the investigation course of in any respect.
Newcastle’s takeover by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) was sealed in October 2021 following “legally binding assurances” that the Saudi authorities would haven’t any management over the north-east membership.
Amnesty International mentioned earlier this month that the Premier League ought to re-examine assurances from Newcastle United’s Saudi house owners that the Middle Eastern kingdom wouldn’t take management of the membership.
A US court docket case this week involving the PGA Tour and LIV Golf described Newcastle chairman and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan as a “current minister of government”, casting doubt on the independence of the membership’s possession .
The PIF is chaired by the Saudi prime minister, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with eight of the 9 members of the PIF board listed on the fund’s web site as ministers or royal advisors.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
