Newcastle United Sale To Saudis Faces Further Political Obstacles

The takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium has "hit significant political obstacles which could hold up any sale of the club." Conservative MP of the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee Giles Watling has called for that select committee to "hold an evidence session on Saudi-based piracy of British sport including the EPL." Conservative MP and U.K. Parliamentary Football Club Chair Karl McCartney also will "call on the government to 'block the purchase of Newcastle United.'" In a separate development, the Liberal Democrats have "called for the sale of Newcastle to the Saudis by Owner Mike Ashley to be blocked." U.K. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden had previously said that the Government "will not intervene in the takeover" (LONDON TIMES, 5/14).