What I can’t understand is why the deal was thrown out last time because of Saudi Gov backing. Yet the “vehicle” being used for the takeover this time is PIF which is the Investment arm of the Saudi Gov. To say that the Saudi Gov have no influence over PIF is absolute b******.

The real reason it didn’t go ahead last time was due to FIFA blocking Saudi because of the TV rights spat between Qatar and Saudi (Saudi broadcast the last two World Cups free under the broadcaster BEOUT Sports - in blatant disregard to Qatar’s official broadcaster BEIN Sports .... so FIFA lost money on TV rights .....you couldn’t make it up). Now Saudi and Qatar have made a rapprochement in relations ... it has freed up the FIFA blocker as Saudi has now also settled with Qatar/BEIN etc.

Mind I don’t see this being any different to foreign owners at City, Chelsea, Paris SG and the rest. Good luck to Newcastle. Would take PIF/Saudi over our charlatan owner any day of the week.

Seem to recall there was a previous thread on Amanda Stavely .... which got stopped because she is very litigious to criticism ...