Leaked WhatsApp messages from Amanda Staveley, former minority co-owner of Newcastle United, reveal that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played a significant role in the £305 million takeover of the club, according to reports on Sunday. Staveley, who stepped down from the Newcastle board in July after selling her shares, was instrumental in brokering the deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which was finalized in October 2021.
The takeover raised eyebrows due to concerns over the involvement of Saudi Arabia’s government. The Premier League had received legal assurances that the PIF, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was independent from the Saudi state. Despite these assurances, leaked messages suggest that Bin Salman was a driving force behind the purchase from British tycoon Mike Ashley, and highlight the extent of the UK government’s involvement in facilitating the deal.
In one message, Staveley warned Ashley’s team that "the Crown Prince is losing patience," while another mentioned efforts to "convince the Crown Prince not to pull out." Staveley also referenced the involvement of the UK-Saudi ambassador in speaking with Bin Salman.
The Premier League had sought to ensure that the PIF’s ownership of Newcastle was separate from the Saudi government, though concerns were raised about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, particularly following a CIA report that implicated Bin Salman in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The crown prince has denied personal involvement in Khashoggi's killing.
Staveley, through her legal team, defended her references to Bin Salman, stating that he was mentioned solely in his capacity as chairman of PIF, and that any suggestion that the assurances of the PIF's independence were breached is "misconceived."
In response to the Telegraph’s report, a PIF spokesperson reiterated that the Premier League had approved the sale of Newcastle United after receiving assurances that Saudi Arabia would not control the club. The circumstances behind those assurances, according to PIF, have not changed since.
Staveley initially held a 10% stake in Newcastle United, while PIF now controls 85%, with the remaining 15% held by property developers, the Reuben Brothers. Staveley had long sought a stake in the club and secured backing from PIF following a key meeting with Yasir al-Rumayyan, governor of PIF and current Newcastle chairman, on Bin Salman’s yacht in 2019.
Reports have also indicated that the UK government played a behind-the-scenes role in advancing the Saudi-backed takeover. Leaked messages show Staveley informing Ashley’s team that No. 10 Downing Street had expressed its preference for the deal to proceed, though former UK Investment Minister Lord Grimstone maintained that his involvement was limited to facilitating communications between PIF and the Premier League.
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