Premier League chief tells MPS of ‘complicated’ Newcastle takeover

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters faced questions from MPS on the delays surrounding the Saudi Arabian takeover of Newcastle and admitted: “Sometimes things get complicated.”

The north-east club is the subject of a proposed £300 million takeover which would involve the Saudi public investment fund taking an 80% stake.

Masters appeared before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee yesterday and was asked about Saudi links to piracy and the suitability of Saudi crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman to be connected to a top-flight club.

Asked why it had taken so long for the process to be completed, Masters said: “I cannot comment in terms of timing or the specifics on any particular takeover.

“But in a perfect world takeovers would happen cleanly, clearly and in a timely fashion.”

The deal is still subject to the league’s owners and directors test which objectively assesses the suitability of would-be owners.

Masters said: “We think it’s robust and it allows us to make decisions that are appropriate.

“What clubs want is consistency, and if they can find the right owners for their football clubs they will be allowed through, and if they’re not the right people then they won’t.”

A report from the World Trade Organisation published in June found Saudi Arabia had facilitated broadcast network beoutq and had acted in a manner inconsistent with international law in how it protected the intellectual property rights of the Premier League and other sports rights holders.