Premier League will consider pleas of Khashoggi’s fiancee over Saudi deal: report
Premier League leader Richard Masters will “fully consider” demands a proposed Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United to be blocked, according to a BBC report on Friday.
Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has written to the league to oppose the offer, while Amnesty International said the Premier League “risks becoming a patsy” if the takeover is approved.
Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and US resident, was killed in 2018 while at Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will reportedly take an 80 percent stake in the club if the o300m ($338 million) takeover go through.
“I assure you as well as your client that her representations are being fully considered inside our process,” Masters said in a letter to Cengiz’s lawyer.
However, in line with the BBC report, Masters has shunned the request of an exclusive ending up in Cengiz “in light of correspondence appearing in the media”.
Cengiz has called on the Premier League to have a moral stand on the problem.
The deal can be being held up because of alleged Saudi piracy of a host of major sports events, including Premier League matches.
In a statement to the BBC, Cengiz said: “I’m cautiously optimistic the Premier League can make the right decision.
“I’m sure if the Premier League follows its own rules and charter, especially the owners’ and directors’ test, it will block the sale of Newcastle United to Mohamed bin Salman and the general public Investment Fund he chairs.
“Until Bin Salman is held in charge of his role in Jamal’s brutal murder, everyone must refrain from doing any business with him.”
