PIF have been in the headlines as they look to reposition their priorities, creating unease about their commitment to Newcastle
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of Newcastle United, is seen in attendance prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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When Sunderland beat Newcastle United in the derby at St James' Park, it was notable just how visible their ownership was.
Prior to the game, Black Cats owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori were on the touchline high fiving Sunderland's players and embracing the coaching staff as they were heading back down the tunnel for their preparations.
By contrast, Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund [PIF] of Saudi Arabia, the club's majority owners, has not been seen at St James' Park since the opening home game of the season back in August.
Director Jamie Reuben has been equally elusive since that 3-2 defeat to Liverpool on August 25 and with all the noise surrounding the club's owners, their absence has only added to the uncertainty.
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It is understood PIF remain firmly committed to Newcastle United and there are no plans to cut any funding for the club but recent developments have naturally led to supporters doubting that commitment.
Overnight, there were reports suggesting they were set to pull their investment from the LIV Golf series, although CEO Scott O'Neill assured staff that the 2026 season will continue at 'full throttle' in an email.
But that was fresh off the back of Al-Rumayyan's revelation that they will sell their stake in one of the Saudi football clubs they own. As part of Saudi Vision 2030, PIF are repositioning their priorities, particularly with the strain the war in the Middle East has placed on those finances.
But with the Newcastle project being accused of going a bit stale this season, with the Magpies in 14th place in the Premier League and facing up to selling one or more of their star players this summer, it has created a sense of unease about the whole situation.
It also raises plenty of questions. What does it mean for Newcastle? How committed are they still? How does that commitment look after the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia? Is that why Newcastle are still important? What does it mean for the stadium decision?
The appointment of CEO David Hopkinson made him the de facto face of the club and, clearly, the day to day operations are being run by the former Real Madrid, Toronto Raptors and Madison Square Garden chief.
But only the owners can truly answer those questions and only the owners can truly reassure supporters by reaffirming that commitment. PIF and Al-Rumayyan have had a lot to say in recent days but neglected to mention Newcastle United specifically,
It feels like we have reached a point where there needs to be a public declaration of that commitment, ideally where Al-Rumayyan answers those questions.
At the very least, a public appearance in one of Newcastle's final three home matches of the season will put minds at rest ahead of what feels like the most important summer since their 2021 takeover given the scale of the rebuild needed.