Kieran Maguire: Newcastle United will still strike Middle-East deals despite new punishments
Newcastle United can continue to strike sponsorship deals in the Middle East as long as they are deemed “fair value”.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively about the impact of new Premier League sponsorship rules on Newcastle.
In the latest Premier League meeting, top-flight clubs voted to introduce new sanctions for any clubs signing inflated sponsorship deals with related parties.
Newcastle United have struck several deals with companies in the Middle East since their Saudi Arabian takeover, including a £25million-per-season deal with Sela.
If clubs are charged with striking inflated deals there will be no fixed tariff of sanctions, with all penalties made available to an independent commission.
Newcastle can continue Saudi Arabia deals despite new rules
Maguire believes the new rules will not stop Newcastle’s off-pitch strategy as all of their deals so far have been within fair value.
“Newcastle have played by the rules to date with regards to their sponsorship deals,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“I appreciate that many of these have come from Saudi Arabia or the Middle Eastern area and therefore are likely to have direct or indirect links to the club owners.
“But the key thing is the evaluation of such deals.
“The Noon and Sela deals are both very much at the top end of the expected range, but nobody is accusing them of being excessive and therefore Newcastle are okay to continue as long as it is deemed fair value.“
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