Newcastle's Saudi takeover faces UK government scrutiny following WhatsApp leaks revealing Mohammed bin Salman's involvement

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) took over Premier League side Newcastle United in October 2021 after having been cleared for no interference from the United Kingdom government and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

Leaked WhatsApp messages by former Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Stavely, who sold her stakes in the club in July, have now emerged and suggested that "both the kingdom’s Crown Prince and UK ministers were involved" as per The Telegraph. According to the messages, Bin Salman "was signing off key decisions within the takeover," and the deal's approval was "pushed behind the scenes" by former Barclays Bank Chair and UK minister for investment Gerry Grimstone. Additionally, Staveley described "enlisting the help" of the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom "to rescue the deal in April 2021."

In April 2021, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied the government's involvement in the deal. However, Staveley's leaked messages have suggested that the same was not the case. Newcastle Central MP, Chi Onwurah, said it now seems “unlikely” that Mr Johnson was “telling the truth”.

Onwurah said on Monday: “From the Covid pandemic to the European Super League debacle, events have demonstrated the former Conservative Prime Minister’s opportunistic relationship with both the truth and the beautiful game. It seems unlikely he was telling the truth.”

The deal is now set to be re-examined by the UK government and the authorities as per The Telegraph. However, the Premier League is understood to have stood by its position that the government never influenced it in approving the deal. The league declined to comment on whether the ownership structure at the club is under investigation.