‘Everyone knows’ – Leeds question UK government link to Newcastle United takeover

Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear has insisted the UK government will never block a takeover of Saudi Arabia-backed Newcastle United.

   The UK and Saudi Arabia are strategic allies with more than 200 joint ventures worth a total of $17 billion creating shared interests.    The most controversial of these partnerships is Britain’s arms exports to the Gulf state during their military intervention in Yemen.

   Newcastle were embroiled in a geopolitical debate when the Public Investment Fund (PIF) attempted to buy the club in 2020. The 18-month saga ended with PIF bailing out Mike Ashley from the club, but not before endless off-field problems emerged  .

   The Daily Mail reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had warned Boris Johnson, then the prime minister, that relations between Britain and Saudi Arabia would be damaged if the takeover succeeded.    Most sources have insisted the deal is piracy-related, with the Premier League seeking a solution to the now-defunct beoutQ box, an illegal streaming service operating in Saudi Arabia that “robbed” Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports.

   Fast forward to the present and the UK government is moving closer to introducing a football regulator, which could see the independent body prevent controversial takeovers.    The King’s Speech introduced the proposal in July, despite UEFA threatening action against England, which will host future tournaments.

   While questionable takeovers are the main reason for the potential regulator, Leeds boss Kinnear doubted whether Newcastle’s would be affected.    He mentioned the implications for UK-Saudi relations and questioned whether it was a good idea for the government to get involved.

   “Do you think the regulator would prevent the Saudi state from entering football?”    Kinnear told the Square Ball podcast.    “I wouldn’t. The entry of the Saudis into football was blessed by the British government because of the amount of arms trade we do with the Saudis. 

   “That’s the question. It’s not whether we have a regulator in the middle of it or not. To have a government instrument (the proposed regulator) trying to manage one of the most successful products that England exports and builds, I think it’s a bad idea when it comes down to it,  how well the government handles everything else, but I totally agree that significant game reform is needed. 

   “Everybody knows that major reform is needed. It’s not working. I just wonder if the government are the best people to do the reform.”