Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund didn't want to purchase Chelsea, Liverpool or Tottenham due to the billions it would have taken.
Amnesty International have told the Premier League it needs to 're-examine the assurances' it was handed over potential Saudi state control of Newcastle United. Their takeover by the PIF was approved after 'legally binding assurances' the Saudi government wouldn't have any control, but in a US court case, Toon chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is described as 'a sitting minister of the government' who has 'sovereign immunity'.
Their takeover at Newcastle has been heavily criticised for potential sports washing, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United all subject of new ownership talk since last season. But director Amanda Staveley, speaking at FT Football, says traditional big six clubs were not bought due to cost as a multi-club model is explored: "We didn’t go for Chelsea Chelsea or Liverpool because why spend billions? We have obviously looked at multi club. We’ve got to make sure we’ve got the right fit. You have to choose your territory correctly."
There's chat of ownership changing from the Glazers to Qatar royal family member Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani at Manchester United. Staveley confirms Saudi Arabia aren't involved, saying on whether Newcastle could be sold to free up the possibility: "I don’t think so."
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