In recent years, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), has invested in and purchased stakes across media outlets, infrastructure, real estate, and major football clubs—most notably Newcastle United. This is not just about business or sport. It is a carefully calculated strategy to gain influence over global narratives, control media outlets, and ultimately shape political agendas in their favour.
Now, reports reveal that Turki Al-Sheikh, a close adviser to Mohammed bin Salman and a key figure in advancing the Crown Prince’s soft power ambitions in sport and entertainment, is attempting to acquire other football clubs in the UK. Al-Sheikh recently posted a video on social media of himself with Ahmed Saad Almutairi, a man wanted by the FBI for his alleged role in a transnational repression scheme targeting Saudi dissidents abroad. Al-Sheikh has been also posting pictures and video of him with Saud al-Qahtani the royal court advisor who reportedly oversaw the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
Why football?
Why football? Football clubs have devoted fan bases, massive media attention, and cultural significance worldwide. By owning such institutions, Saudi Arabia is buying key infrastructure to spread state-friendly narratives and rehabilitate its international image. It’s a strategic move designed to expand Saudi influence across sectors critical to shaping public perception and political discourse.
Human rights
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s human rights record continues to deteriorate. Just less than two weeks ago, the authorities executed a journalist on vague charges, including treason. A chilling reminder of the repression under MBS’s regime. Hundreds more are awaiting execution, including minors and individuals who were arrested as children. With the death toll reaching more than 180 so far this year, a sharp increase of more than 90% compared to the same period last year.
The consequences extend far beyond Saudi Arabia’s borders. In the UK, where Saudi investments are growing, this influx of capital brings increasing risks. These investments provide the Saudi state leverage over politicians and democratic institutions, potentially undermining democratic norms.
Newcastle
This concern is already visible in Newcastle. Chi Onwurah, the MP for Central Newcastle and once a vocal critic of Saudi human rights record, recently accepted from the Saudi owned club expensive tickets to the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley (£500), Carabao Cup celebration event and parade (£1700), and tickets for the Sam Fender concert at St James’ Park (£500) raising serious questions about influence and partiality.
The Saudi-backed buying spree isn’t just about football. It is about control—control of narratives, control of politics, and control of truth.
In response, a coalition that included NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing and ALQST, a Saudi human rights organization, met with Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council last February. Kilgour was accompanied by the council’s Director of Investment and Growth Michelle Percy, one of the most senior officers at the council. Responses to FOI requests made by NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing have shown that Percy has been central to the council’s efforts to use NUFC’s relationship to Saudi Arabia to pressure the UK government.
At the council meeting with Saudi human rights advocates, Percy claimed to have no knowledge of the Human Rights Watch report showing PIF’s direct links to human rights abuses. She has had plenty of opportunity to acquaint herself with the issues raised in the report – in May 2024, she was part of a delegation that went from Newcastle to Riyadh as part of a two day trade mission to Saudi Arabia, which was led by then Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden. The delegation from Newcastle put the football club at the centre of their information pack for the trip, mentioning the takeover in the summary of their panel’s topic: “Newcastle upon Tyne: Building A Gateway to Saudi Through Innovative Trade and Investment”.
A Newcastle delegation featuring Percy had taken a similar approach at the Cannes real estate convention MIPIM 2022, referring to the club’s ownership in the summary of their panel’s topic: “A £300m investment in Newcastle United Football Club”.
You would hope that a council employee taking this approach towards Saudi investment has taken the time to familiarise themselves with the Public Investment Fund’s involvement in human rights abuses.
Amanda Staveley—described by the Financial Times as the “fearless financier easing Saudi drive into sport” and a key figure in the PIF’s acquisition of Newcastle United-attended the council’s International Women’s Day event on March 8th, . Her presence illustrates just how closely the Saudi-backed ownership is being integrated into local political spaces, raising serious concerns about conflicts of interest and the blurring of lines between private investment and public accountability.
The Saudi human rights coalition presented eight urgent demands aimed at addressing the risks posed by Saudi investments and influence in the city. These demands included calls for:
1. Publish a statement about the meeting (social media or website) with explicit mentions of political prisoners (PoCs).
2. Publish a statement in support of prosecuted Saudi POC’s reaffirming the council’s commitments to human rights in the city including with respect to Newcastle United and the Saudi public Investment Fund (PIF).
3. Send a letter to the PIF regarding Human Rights Watch’s report “The man who bought the world”, inquiring about the links made in the report between the PIF and human rights abuses.
4. “Adopt” prisoners such as Manahel al-Otaibi and Mohammed al Rabiah and the minors sentenced to death. Publicise their cases and raise them with the Chairman pf Newcastle United Yasir al-Rumayyan.
5. Consider renaming a street the St James Park in honour and in support of Saudi human rights defenders.
Establish a forum between the council and human rights activists/defenders with regular bi-monthly meetings to monitor human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and develop appropriate responses.
7. Monitor closely and oppose any use of the city and region as a sports washing vehicle for the Saudi regime. (The Saudi state has already used NUFC’s stadium standing on City Council or city owned land to play international football matches). Raise picture of “adopted” Saudi PoC in the public space where any Saudi-linked events may take place.
8. Liaise with North East trade union movement to look at the implications of investments in Newcastle by companies such as NOON, given the shocking details of mistreatment of workers in Saudi Arabia by the Newcastle United sponsor.
Since the meeting, the council leadership has remained silent, failing to respond to these critical calls. This lack of action highlights why local authorities must take a stand when national governments falter.
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE BYLINES NETWORK CROWDFUNDER!