2021 takeover of Newcastle United F.C.
2021 takeover of Newcastle United by PCP Capital Partners, Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia
The 2021 takeover of Newcastle United F.C. by a consortium of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), PCP Capital Partners, and the Reuben Brothers was a takeover proceeding that commenced in April 2020 and was successfully concluded in October 2021.
The takeover process gained notoriety for allegations of improper conduct against the Premier League through a purported deliberate misapplication of its Owners' and Directors' test to block the deal, following allegations of undue influence from the Qatari-owned beIN Sports (with whom Saudi Arabia have strained bilateral relations) and rival clubs to Newcastle United. Wider debates ensued regarding fan privacy, impact on the Premier League and UK-Saudi Arabia relations, and perceived sportswashing. After interventions from then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, and the governments of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the takeover process lasted for 18 months, and was completed in October 2021.
Supporters of the takeover cited a lack of uproar over other, similar takeovers, while most Newcastle United fans argued the takeover would enable greater investment in the Tyneside region, which has seen historic underdevelopment. Other supporters of the takeover pointed to the potential of strengthening the diplomatic ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia, likely increased emphasis by Saudi Arabia on their grassroots football, and reduction in Islamophobia in the UK.
April 2020 to July 2020: Initial Owners' and Directors' Test
On 14 April 2020, it emerged that a request to undertake the Premier League's Owners' and Directors' Test had been filed by a consortium consisting of PCP Capital Partners, Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), as the final stage of their £300m bid to purchase ownership of Newcastle United from Mike Ashley. A final decision on the outcome of the test was to be delivered by the Premier League board, populated by Gary Hoffman (chairman), Richard Masters (chief executive) and Kevin Beeston (non-executive director).
The bid drew opposition from various third parties. One such party was Qatar's state-owned media group beIN, the rights holder for broadcasting Premier League matches in the MENA region, which is the league's highest value overseas contract and was due to be renewed in December 2020. beIN had been caught up in a geopolitical dispute between Qatar and Saudi Arabia over Qatar's alleged sponsoring of terrorism, whereby beIN had been banned by the Saudi government from broadcasting in Saudi Arabia since mid-2017.
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