The allegation that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was directly involved in the purchase of Newcastle, which would have placed the deal in jeopardy over prior accusations of state pirating of Premier League matches in the kingdom, was met with a roll of the eyes by cynics.
The claims made the front page of the Daily Telegraph, accompanied by a picture of the broker in the deal, Amanda Staveley, whose name featured in a string of leaked WhatsApp messages suggesting the purchase went deeper than a straightforward transaction with majority buyer, the ubiquitous Saudi wealth fund, the PIF.
No shit Sherlock echoed around the precinct, and would not even have touched the sides in the House of Saud, where, by definition, it seems zip happens without the regal nod of MBS, the powerful clan leader who it seems cares little for the opinion of any as long as any foreign deal adds to the Saudi bottom line.
The real value of the story was in making explicit what was assumed, as well as placing in the room notable state actors, including the onomatopoeic Lord Grimstone, minister for investment in Boris Johnson’s government.
Learning that Lord Grimstone was consulted, and justified his involvement thus, “my role was to facilitate the passing of ideas between the PIF and Premier League…in no way did I seek to prejudice the Premier League’s complete autonomy in this matter,” is significant since it raises the question of government connectivity in other footballing matters, not least the Premier League’s legal dispute with Manchester City.
If the ownership of Newcastle by a foreign investor was considered an issue of public interest before a penny changed hands, then what of ADUG (Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment), the private equity company owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan that has pumped £1bn into Manchester over and above the purchase of Manchester City and the redevelopment of east Manchester?
Could the ongoing litigation between City and the Premier League be a matter of state interest also? Could that have an impact on the prosecution of the case?
Moreover, since the Newcastle deal fell under that classification it follows that the Saudi ownership might use that to their advantage in pursuing their aims.
The club is presently bogged down in PSR rules, which prevent Eddie Howe spending the vast wealth available to him. A new stadium is proposed that would enable the redevelopment of the area around St James’s Park.
Indeed, there could be other investments that would benefit the local economy. Whilst government oversight was simply assumed the Premier League could justifiably bat aside concerns about state influence. The Staveley claims surely make that harder to achieve or at least awkward.
Newcastle and City are examples of how power and great wealth works, namely that in the end all resistance falls before it. The best for which we can hope is for micro infractions that now and again force the authorities to acknowledge the concerns of the little people.
The protest by female footballers against the sponsorship of the women’s World Cup in 2027 by Saudi Oil company Aramco is a case in point.
The contradiction inherent in a conservative country that supresses women’s rights and where homosexuality is criminalised, sponsoring via a major state operator the most high-profile tournament in women’s sport, one in which many participants are openly gay, is obvious.
How organisers Fifa reconcile their position in the context of such high-profile opposition, a protest that has thus far gathered more than 100 signatories from 24 countries, is a fascinating dynamic that at least makes the organisation squirm.
It might also present a problem for City, since one of those opposed to the Aramco deal, is the club’s Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema, who told the BBC: “I think as footballers, and especially as women’s footballers, we carry the responsibility to show the world and the next generation what is right.
“Fifa always shout that they want the game to be inclusive, and they want the game to lead by example. Well, if so, then make sure that you align with sponsorships that are leading by example.”
Miedema is the partner of Arsenal’s Beth Mead. Her statement is both bold and brave given her relationship constitutes a criminal offence in Abu Dhabi, just as it does in Saudi Arabia.
Whilst City are Abu Dhabi’s sporting flagship, Newcastle is barely a pimple in Saudi’s expansionist portfolio.
The crown prince can tolerate temporary barriers to progress or even halt the project if the kingdom is forging ahead in other projects. There is no kickback from boxing or Formula One for example, and some big-name footballers have nil qualms about relocating to the Saudi league.
LIV Golf continues to press ahead with player acquisitions and sponsorship deals as negotiations with the major tours in the United States and Europe continue.
The men’s football 2034 World Cup is in the bag and could be followed by the 2036 Olympics, so you can see how MBS would hardly miss a beat.
At least the Staveley claims bring us closer to the truth of things and make it harder for big sporting organisations to fob off justifiable concerns. And protests such as that by the stars of the women’s game force seemingly avaricious institutions to answer for the naked pursuit of pound notes.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/wc2Tym1
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