Journalist Miguel Delaney joined Monday's OTB AM to outline why he believes the takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi Arabian-based consortium could signal the point of no return for Premier League clubs.
It has not yet been confirmed that Mike Ashley will cede control of Newcastle United amid intense interest in the club from a Saudi Arabian-based consortium.
As broadcasting issues raised by the Qatar-based BeIN Sports give the Premier League pause for thought, upwards of 97% of 3000 fans surveyed by a Newcastle United Supporters Trust revealed that they would welcome the prospect of a takeover, however.
Joining Monday's OTB AM, journalist Miguel Delaney considered the suitability of those who may soon take control of a Premier League club.
"This is much more nakedly a state project," he explained of the Saudi-based takeover in comparison to the ownership model adopted at Manchester City, "which should raise so many more questions.
"It is incredible that the Premier League doesn't really have any sort of protection so states can come in and buy clubs. That very concept is so absurd and poses so many troubling questions, particularly when it is a state like Saudi Arabia.
"If you want to draw a direct link of what we're talking about here, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) are going to own 80% of Newcastle United. The PIF is chaired by Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and not too long ago the US Senate passed a resolution holding MBS responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
"That's before you get to all the various issues about Saudi Arabia's human rights record and what they plan to do with Newcastle United."
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.Highlighting the essential role that football clubs play within their local and extended communities, Delaney outlined his fundamental opposition to the idea of a state taking ownership of such institutions.
Nevertheless, as it looks increasingly likely that Newcastle United will soon fall under the ownership of a Saudi Arabian-based consortium, Delaney considered whether or not there would ever be any turning back in English football.
"For a state like Saudi Arabia to own a football club feels like the ultimate low" | @MiguelDelaney spoke to #OTBAM about the #NewcastleTakeover | #NUFC
Full Video ➡️ https://t.co/bmk6FQaftD pic.twitter.com/nmCARdkGVr— Off The Ball (@offtheball) April 27, 2020
"This does feel like a line in the sand," he remarked of this particular case. "For a state like Saudi Arabia to own a football club just feels like the ultimate low and really the point of no going back.
"You could argue that we've been travelling in that direction for some time anyway, but this is why it is such a massive story beyond Newcastle itself because it reflects where football is going.
"I mean, the game, and particularly the English game, has integrated hyper-capitalism more than any other industry on earth. I did a piece on this in February and David Goldblatt, the football historian, put it to me that the Premier League is probably more hyper-capitalistic and an open, global market than international banking.
"This situation is a consequence of that and also a consequence of the Premier League being non-judgemental about owners in that sense. It doesn't feel like there is a way back."
You can watch back Miguel Delaney's interview on Monday's OTB AM in its entirety here.
