Kieran Maguire: Newcastle United face ‘huge issue’ after Saudi Arabia twist
Newcastle United face a ‘huge issue’ if Saudi Arabia wants a Pro League side to qualify for the Champions League.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about a possible conflict of interest issue if Saudi Arabian sides enter the Champions League.
According to reports, Saudi Arabian authorities want the champions of their Pro League to enter the Champions League as a ‘wildcard’.
Despite the tournament consisting of teams inside Europe, Saudi views Champions League entry as a huge part of their development plan in the coming years.
However, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund – which owns a majority stake in Newcastle United – recently purchased four sides in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli were all acquired by PIF and have heavily invested in new signings this summer in an attempt to boost the popularity of the Saudi league.
Maguire explains that ownership of multiple clubs competing in Uefa competition would breach Uefa regulations.
“There would be a huge issue if a Saudi Arabian team was allowed to enter the Champions League if Newcastle were also competing in the tournament,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“That would go against Uefa’s independent owners’ rule that exists.
“I think it would open a major legal and financial can of worms should it go ahead.
“But as we saw with LIV’s investment in golf against the PGA Tour when it comes to large sums of money it is good at making problems go away.“
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