Bundesliga manager fumes over Newcastle takeover
Some fans of newly acquired Newcastle may have hit the moon over the prospect of becoming a bigger team with better fortune, but Bundesliga manager Christian Streich has slammed the move.
The Freiburg manager has joined those who worry over possible control of the club by Saudi state.
While League chiefs say that they have received “legally binding assurances” that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control Newcastle following their recent takeover, critics have questioned how.
Despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman being chair of 80% owners PIF, it is Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan who has taken up the role of chairman at St James’ Park following Mike Ashley’s departure.
With the Reuben brothers owning 10%, Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners have the final chunk, with the British businesswoman and her partner Mehrdad Ghodoussi both directors.
Bundesliga boss Streich has been the latest to speak out about the move, which is believed to make Newcastle the club with the biggest resources in world football.
Sport Buzzer quote him as saying: “There are always things happening in football that have gone beyond any measure.
“In this case, it is unbelievable who is involved in this consortium. (There are people) who are involved in serious human rights violations.
“So I have to say, if people have a problem with that, then I can count myself among those people.”
However, Staveley has again enforced her message that Newcastle are not being run by the state, which is what gave Premier League bosses their approval in the Owners’ and Directors’ Test.
“Football’s inclusive to all, that’s the great thing about it,” says Staveley.
“I understand and appreciate all the messages on human rights and we treat them very seriously.
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“But I wouldn’t bring partners into the consortium if they didn’t have the right record and PIF is autonomous and independent of the Saudi government. PIF owns Newcastle, not the Saudi state.
“In buying Newcastle PIF are not going to hide and we’re proud of them; we need, strong, brave, partners. I love brave, passionate, people, that’s how I do business.”