Newcastle takeover strengthened as Saudi Arabia lifts ban on beIN Sports | Newcastle United

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Saudi Arabia has lifted a four-year ban on beIN Sports – which not only means that Premier League, UEFA and FIFA matches will soon be broadcast legally in the country again, but it could also have major repercussions for the Newcastle United-backed takeover. Saudi.

Last year, a proposed £300m deal hit rocks due to the Premier League’s view that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which had hoped to acquire an 80% stake in Newcastle, is in fact the Saudi state.

Although this is the subject of a legal dispute that will be resolved at an arbitration hearing in January, the news on Wednesday removes a major impediment to any potential acquisition.

Qatar-based BeIN was a vocal opponent of the Newcastle deal, noting the Premier League clubs were causing significant harm to sports rights holders.

Last year, beIN’s chief executive, Yousef Al-Obaidli, wrote to Premier League clubs accusing the Saudis of “facilitating the nearly three-year theft of the Premier League’s commercial rights – and thus the commercial revenue of your club – through its support of the massive pirate service beoutQ”.

This came on the heels of a World Trade Organization ruling that concluded that the Saudi state was violating international law by allowing the illegal broadcasting service beoutQ to operate in the country.

After weeks of negotiations, the Saudis agreed to allow beIN Sports to return and committed to removing all pirate sites when notified by beIN. It is also understood that Saudi Arabia is also actively discussing beIN’s claims for damages totaling more than $1 billion due to piracy.

This announcement comes after the gradual thaw in relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which was reflected in the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, standing for a photo with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last month, wearing shorts and smiling.

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There are still other potential obstacles to the takeover of Newcastle, the most important of which is any link between the state and the Public Investment Fund. The Premier League wants guarantees that the Gulf kingdom will not be running the club.

Human rights groups, appalled by the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, have also expressed fears of any deal. However, the test of owners and managers in the Premier League is not concerned with human rights.

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