Toon to wear ‘Saudi Arabia shirt’

NEWCASTLE are set to turn out in the green and white of Saudi Arabia next season. Sportsmail can confirm that their new away jersey, from kit suppliers Castore, carries the traditional colours of the Gulf state, whose Public Investment Fund (PIF) own 80 per cent of the club. On the shirt, Newcastle’s crest, as well as the trim of the neck and sleeves, are green on an all-white backdrop, bearing a striking resemblance to the shirt of the Saudi national team. The strip is likely to attract criticism from opponents of the ownership, who had to satisfy the Premier League there was no connection between PIF and the Saudi state before their £305million takeover was approved in October. But the club will see the design as a chance to increase revenue streams via shirt sales in Saudi Arabia, while also representing their majority owners. The move follows a warning from boss Eddie Howe that

Newcastle’s spending will be affected by the game’s financial rules this summer. Howe said: ‘We have restraints and things that we have to work within, so we can’t just go out and spend money on players like maybe teams could have done in the past and totally change their squad in one transfer window. That is not an option for us.’