THE potential Saudi takeover of Newcastle United has been labelled as “sportswashing” by leading human rights group Amnesty International.
Amanda Staveley, previously linked with buying the Magpies, has been facilitating a deal between Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and current owner Mike Ashley.
And while Newcastle fans have been desperate for the departure of Ashley for years, Amnesty have raised concerns over the Sports Direct tycoon’s potential replacements – a consortium that would include Mohammad bin Salman.
Amnesty’s UK Head of Campaigns Felix Jakens said: “Given the deluge of investment in sport we’ve seen from Saudi Arabia recently, a takeover of Newcastle United wouldn’t come as a major surprise.
“Saudi Arabia is well-known for its attempts at ‘sportswashing’ – trying to use the glamour and prestige of top-tier sport as a PR tool to distract from the country’s abysmal human rights record.
“Under the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, there’s been a sweeping human rights crackdown – with numerous peaceful activists jailed, including Loujain al-Hathloul and other brave women’s rights defenders.
“There’s been a blatant whitewash over Jamal Khasoggi’s grisly murder, there are continuing concerns over Saudi hacking, and the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen has a bloody record of launching indiscriminate attacks on homes and hospitals.
“It’s not for us to say who should own Newcastle United, but players , back-room staff and fans alike ought to see this for what it is – sportswashing, plain and simple.
“The sportswashing effect can be countered if those involved are willing to do so. Staff and fans at Newcastle United should familiarise themselves with the dire human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and be prepared to speak out about it.”
As well as Bin Salman, who has been strongly linked with buying Manchester United in the past, the Saudi consortium is believed to include billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben.
According to the Guardian, sources close to the deal believe that a deal is “90 per cent certain” to be completed.
And speculation has been further fuelled by Ashley’s accountants being informed in recent weeks that Newcastle will no longer be on his books, as per the Financial Times.
It is also believed that the consortium has set aside a further 200million to invest in the team.
Staveley hopes to assume a ten per cent stake in the final agreement.
And SunSport have exclusively revealed that, as part of the takeover plans, a return for popular ex-boss Rafael Benitez is being targeted.
