Newcastle takeover by Saudi fund ‘90% certain’

Liam Watson
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been identified as a major partner in the latest takeover bid for top-tier English Premier League soccer club Newcastle United, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The fund, which is chaired by the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, is reportedly backing a deal alongside Dubai-based British financier, Amanda Staveley; her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi; and British billionaire property investors, David and Simon Reuben.

British newspaper the Guardian has reported that the deal, which values the Premier League club at UK£340 million (AUD$656.8 million), is ‘90 per cent certain’ to happen. A shell company, PZ Newco, was registered by Staveley to facilitate a potential investment on 6th January. PZ refers to Project Zebra – the code name for the planned Newcastle takeover.

The Magpies’ current owner, retail tycoon Mike Ashley, could sign off on an agreement very much in the short-term, according to the Guardian. However, Ashley has reportedly been unhappy with the massive leak and could potentially put the takeover in jeopardy.

It is also reported that Staveley hopes to assume a ten per cent stake in the final agreement. The exact level of Saudi involvement is uncertain, with the Athletic reporting that the Reuben family represent 20 per cent of the consortium.

According to the Guardian, due diligence has been completed and advanced talks have been ongoing for months. Staveley, who has failed with bids for Newcastle before, reportedly approached the Saudis regarding investment and is seeking to be the face of the club post-takeover.

The involvement of the PIF, one of the world’s largest investment operations, is controversial due to Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record, lack of women’s rights, violent media suppression and its association with Islamic fundamentalism.

If an agreement is struck, it is reported that UK£200 million (AUD$383.6 million) has been allocated for investment in Newcastle’s playing squad and regeneration of the city.

If this big-money agreement goes through, it will give a significant boost to a club that has fallen in recent times compared to its former glory. The club currently sits 14th on the EPL table after 24 matches played, just seven points clear of the relegation places.

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UEFA’s Role in Operation Kratos: stopping global piracy

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UEFA against anti-piracy, supports Operation Kratos
Image Credit: UEFA Website

UEFA has publicly issued support for Operation Kratos, a multinational effort to prevent international piracy.

Headed by the Republic of Bulgaria’s Ministry of the Interior and supported by police agencies from the Italian and Croation Republics alongside Europol and Eurojust, as well as Spanish football league LaLiga, Operation Kratos has actively dismantled a global piracy network used by over 22 million users.

Executed throughout the middle of 2024, during major sporting events such as the, Paris Olympics, UEFA EUROs tournament and UEFA Champions League, Operation Kratos undertook 112 search and seizures of equipment, and identified 102 suspects, arresting 11.

Across the seizures, law enforcement discovered 270 IPTV devices, 100 domains that had been used for crime, and nearly 30 servers. In addition, authorities found weapons, drugs, 2.65 million AUD in cryptocurrency and 66,000 AUD in cash.

UEFA played a crucial part in the operation, providing critical and prompt information on illegal sports streams. Information was gained through UEFA’s widespread content protection program which monitors for stolen content using the latest available technology.

A UEFA spokesperson highlighted the value of Operation Kratos for the organisation and sport as a whole.

“UEFA welcomes and supports such a successful and unprecedented operation that neutralised a record number of illegal streaming platforms and illegal IPTV services. We would like to thank the various stakeholders involved for their ongoing efforts and the high level of cooperation in fighting digital piracy by bringing actions such as this against organised crime”

“Financial revenue generated from media rights is vital for the well-being of both professional and amateur football. In particular, it is essential to football development and grassroots investment throughout Europe.

“The fight against the online piracy of our competitions remains a key priority for UEFA. We are committed to doing whatever is possible to stop this core threat to the revenues which underpin the European football ecosystem.”

UEFA will continue to assist organisations in the fight against piracy.

Football Queensland’s infrastructure proposal for 2032 Olympics

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Football Australia and Football Queensland have presented a comprehensive infrastructure proposal for the Queensland Government’s 100-day infrastructure review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, positioning the sport as a key driver of long-term regional development.

The submission champions a strategic approach that leverages football’s significant community impact, highlighting the sport’s 350,000 active participants across Queensland.

Central to the proposal is a purpose-built Tier 2 rectangular stadium, potentially located at Perry Park, designed to accommodate 17,000 to 20,000 spectators with capacity for an additional 13,000 temporary seats during the Games.

The proposal also includes:

Enhancements to Training Sites

  • Strategic upgrades to Meakin Park’s Queensland State Home of Community Football, creating a versatile multi-sport infrastructure in a rapidly expanding urban corridor.
  • Guarantees FIFA tournament compliance while establishing enduring high-performance facilities for community and elite athletes.

Innovative Regionalisation Approach

  • Champions a decentralised Games delivery model to amplify participation across broader Queensland communities.
  • Introduces collaborative content-sharing and strategic partnerships to bolster regional sporting infrastructure and engagement.

Cost Savings and Value Creation

  • Identifies potential savings and revenue opportunities exceeding $1 billion through optimised venue design.
  • Commits to generating substantive economic benefits and sustainable legacies for Queensland’s diverse communities.

Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac emphasised the proposal’s broader vision.

“Brisbane 2032 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a legacy for communities across Queensland and across the Asia-Pacific region. Football’s submission aligns with a best for city, state and games, master planned approach with a focus on innovation and sustainability,” Issac commented on FQ official press release.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson also joined in underscoring the stadium’s significance.

“A purpose-built rectangular stadium is critical to addressing the needs of the sport in Queensland. This venue will not only elevate the fan experience but also position Brisbane to host future international tournaments,” Johnson explained via FQ official press release.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci was keen to highlight the grassroots focus that this investment would deliver.

“Football Queensland’s priority is to ensure the benefits of Brisbane 2032 extend to every community in the state. By investing in regional and grassroots infrastructure, this proposal ensures all Queenslanders can be part of the Games’ legacy,” Cavallucci expressed via FQ official press release.

The proposal has garnered support from key stakeholders including the Asian Football Confederation, Oceania Football Confederation, Australian Professional Leagues, Brisbane Roar, and Professional Footballers Australia.

Football Australia and Football Queensland’s approach show a unified football push to try and garner an exciting sporting and footballing spine within the city of Brisbane and wider areas, using innovation and sustainability to enhance a positive prospect.

With a comprehensive vision spanning elite and community levels, football’s Olympic submission represents a significant strategic play for the sport’s future in Queensland.

Read the official proposal from Football Queensland here.

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