After Newcastle takeover: Premier League clubs call for emergency meeting

Next chapter in terms of the takeover of Newcastle United: According to the English Guardian all the other 19 clubs from the Premier League are annoyed by the course of events.

Accordingly, the clubs want to call an emergency meeting with the leadership of the Premier League in the coming week because they had not received any information about the change of ownership and did not learn why the takeover was approved.

It was only on Thursday afternoon that the 19 clubs were reported to have been informed that an investment fund from Saudi Arabia had secured 80 percent of the shares in the Magpies. Saudi Arabia subsequently lifted the broadcasting ban for the Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports, who owns Premier League rights.

The competing clubs also fear that the Saudis’ purchases could not throw a good light on the league due to the enormous human rights violations in the country. Transfer fees and salaries could also reach new heights through the nouveau riche Newcastle.

On Thursday, the league approved the controversial takeover of the first division club by the Saudi Arabian consortium, despite warnings from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International. The consortium assured the league that the Magpies are not under state control of Saudi Arabia. A year and a half ago, a takeover of the club failed due to the league’s veto.