Kieran Maguire: There are ‘so many unanswered questions’ as Newcastle United owners set up ‘blockade’
Saudi Arabia’s reported blockade of Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports’ World Cup coverage has raised many questions about the Newcastle United owners’ football strategy.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the ongoing dispute between the two gulf states’ media ministries.
Current World Cup hosts Qatar own beIN, whose content was pirated on an industrial scale in neighbouring Saudi Arabia between 2017 and 2021.
The Saudi government is alleged to have turned a blind eye to the activity, enflaming tensions with Qatar.
And as relayed by Sports Pro on Monday (28 November), the Saudi media ministry has now blocked beIN’s coverage of the start of the World Cup within its borders.
But the news is a departure from the apparent thawing of relations between the pair, with Qatar having signed a marketing deal with a company linked to PIF, who reportedly want to buy a stake in beIN.
Maguire assessed the latest developments and the knock-on effect they might have on the Saudis’ broader plans for Newcastle.
“The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Qatar does appear to be somewhat paradoxical,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“On the face of things, the leaders of the respective states are sat close to each other in terms of matches that are taking place at the World Cup.
“But the issue in terms of the blocking of broadcasts is throwing up so many questions. Some claim that the stories of the blockade are untrue, some claim that they are not.
“But you would think it would be in Saudi Arabia’s best interest to generate as much interest as possible on an international level.
“That can only filter down to the interest in domestic football and football in the Premier League because so many Saudi fans are so keen on observing the progression of Newcastle United.“
In other news, £300m Newcastle United deal could be agreed next week as sponsor named.