The UK Government considered a failed Saudi takeover of Newcastle United a 'risk' to the relationship between the two countries, an investigation by the Athletic has revealed.
The Government, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Premier League chief executive Richards Masters have always denied there was any outside interference in the £300m takeover of the club. However, 59 pages of emails between government officials obtained by The Athletic appear to show figures in the Conservative party and British Foreign Office attempted to play some role in the changing of ownership on Tyneside.
While both Richard Masters and Boris Johnson have refused to comment on the latest revelations, the former previously insisted “no pressure was applied” during the takeover negotiations. Meanwhile, the former Prime Minister told Parliament in 2021: “These are commercial matters for the parties concerned. The government was not involved at any point in the takeover talks on the sale of Newcastle United.”
