Newcastle MP says football governance is ‘broken’ after Saudi NUFC takeover

Chi Onwurah, the Labour MP for Newcastle Central has slammed the purchase of the club by a Saudi-led investment consortium.

The consortium consists of PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will hold 80% of the shares.

Ms Onwurah said the past few years had been “poisoned by the undisguised contempt of the club’s owner and the Premier League for fans’ hopes and investment in the club,” and said it was unfair that fans did not get a say in their clubs’ ownership.

She went on: “This takeover is not only about Newcastle but Saudi Arabia, whose sovereign fund provides the majority of the financing. Many of us are horrified by the human rights record of Saudi Arabia which stands in direct opposition to the values of our city.

“I understand the new owners believe this investment is a sign of change and a desire to open up on the part of Saudi Arabia and I hope that is true. I recognise the power of sport to communicate and bring people together, but as an anti Apartheid activist for many years, I believe sport is political.”

She said that “football governance is broken as highlighted by the disastrous plans for a European Super League” adding, said “Labour has long called for reform including proper independent regulation, an ongoing owners and directors test and an opportunity to get fans on board.”

She said is is the responsibility of the government to set out appropriate frameworks to regulate investment, and highlighted that the Saudi government and royal family has already made extensive investments in companies such as Uber, Twitter & McClaren.