Gary Neville believes Newcastle United’s controversial Saudi-backed takeover may be the last of its kind in the Premier League. Football club ownership is under the microscope after the UK Government sanctioned Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich due to his alleged association with Vladimir Putin.
Debate has heightened regarding the top-flight’s owners’ and directors’ test, with the Magpies’ structure coming under scrutiny before, during and after the completion of the £300million deal in October. Eddie Howe deflected questions from journalists in recent weeks regarding Saudi Arabia - causing criticism to fall his way.
Neville called for an independent regulator to enter English football in the aftermath of the European Super League fiasco - a body he still believes needs introduced. The Manchester United legend thinks fan discontent has reached such a level that a Newcastle-style takeover will be impossible in the future.
