Finance guru: Newcastle United owners want to relocate high-profile clash to Saudi Arabia
The Community Shield could be headed to the Newcastle United owners’ homeland of Saudi Arabia.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about plans to relocate the 114-year-old competition.
The Times reported on Tuesday (18 October) that England’s biggest clubs want to take the annual match-up between FA Cup and Premier League champions abroad or scrap it entirely.
An all-star game, such as the north-versus-south idea proposed by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly earlier this month, has also been floated.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund has brought countless sporting events to the region in recent years, with heavyweight boxing clashes, Formula One and the LIV golf series among the biggest coups.
Plumley suggests that the Community Shield could be up next.
“If we look at where the networks are at the moment, it’s America and the Middle East,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Those are the ones we keep coming back to. So, yes, I think the UAE and Saudi are going to be on the list as the main ones to look at.
“The other side of things is that we might see the Community Shield scrapped altogether in favour of some bigger pre-season tournament, whether that’s with the Premier League or Uefa.
“So, if it is to stay then I think Saudi and the UAE are the most likely destinations. The other way is that it goes completely.“
In other news, Kieran Maguire suggests PIF to revive controversial Mike Ashley scheme amid £100m Newcastle United claim.