Stefan Borson blasts government figures after Newcastle ownership claim
The Football Governance Bill is a “mess” following a Labour minister’s claim about Mohammed bin Salman’s ownership of Newcastle United.
That is the view of finance expert Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the government doesn’t have a clear understanding of its position towards state ownership of football clubs.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Bin Salman is the chairman of his country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is the majority owner of Newcastle after securing a £305million takeover deal in October 2021.
Speaking in the House of Lords on 18 December (via The Times), Baroness Twycross, who is overseeing the Football Governance Bill, said the Saudi prince would have to pass through the independent football regulator’s owners’ test.
It is understood the Labour minister later passed on a handwritten note saying she would have to clarify that position as she left the chamber.
Government position on Newcastle ownership remains unclear
Borson admitted the rules appear to be unclear regarding the Football Governance Bill at this moment in time.
“The whole thing is a mess,” Borson told Football Insider.
“First of all, I don’t think they have got any idea what the position is.
“If you actually read the article and you read the exchanges that happened in the House of Lords, they were very unsure about how it worked.
“There is then the whole issue about disqualifying an owner that was involved in something that would be a crime in the UK, having taken place in this foreign state.
“We know that lots of countries are involved and have rules that don’t accord with what we do in England and the UK.
“That could be the death penalty or certain sexual practices being illegal in some countries.
“Would that mean those countries couldn’t be involved in any clubs? Maybe it does. I don’t know.
“But the point I’m making is, they don’t know either right now, so the whole thing is quite grey. I think we just have to wait and see.
“I wouldn’t read too much into it at this point because I just don’t think they have got a clear understanding of it.”
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