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Newcastle United supporters
Photo: Scott Heppell / AP
The controversial takeover of the English first division soccer club Newcastle United by a Saudi Arabian consortium has been approved - despite warnings from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International.
The Premier League confirmed the deal on Thursday.
The consortium assured the league that the Magpies are not under state control of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Arabian state fund, under the influence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is accused of serious human rights violations, is said to hold a clear majority in the consortium.
According to British media reports, the investors are paying 300 million pounds (around 350 million euros) to the previous owner Mike Ashley, who is controversial among Newcastle fans.
The fund is viewed as "separate from the state," which means that a takeover from the Premier League perspective was permissible.
The takeover ends a four-year stalemate.
After months of negotiations, the consortium withdrew an initial takeover offer in July 2020.
Ashley had been up for sale in Newcastle since 2017.
Saudi Arabia has one of the highest execution rates in the world
Before the deal, Amnesty International had expressed concern several times that Saudi Arabia wanted to polish up its image through "sportswashing".
Saudi Arabia was also accused of being jointly responsible for TV piracy.
The Gulf state has long been criticized for having one of the highest execution rates in the world and, according to an activist, an opaque judicial system.
Human rights activists doubt that reforms will release political prisoners and stop crackdowns against dissidents.
The latest developments are good news for Newcastle United fans.
According to a survey by the Newcastle United Supporters Trusts fan association on Tuesday, 93 percent of supporters are in favor of the takeover.
The owner Mike Ashley, who is unpopular with fans, has been wanting to get rid of the club for a long time.
On Thursday evening, some fans gathered in front of the stadium - apparently to celebrate the takeover by the Saudi Arabian consortium.
Ashley had broken with some traditions at St. James Park since 2007, drawing the anger of Newcastle fans.
Among other things, the naming rights to the traditional stadium were sold.
During his tenure, the club also rose twice from the top division.
Newcastle are currently in penultimate place in the Premier League.
tfb / dpa / sid
