Saudi Arabia is increasing its interest and presence in English football. This expanding involvement of the nation raises concerns about its real goals. In October 2023, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) spent a lot of money to purchase Newcastle United. The amount was approximately £300 million. According to critics, this investment was not just about interest in sports but an effort to divert the attention of people from Saudi human rights issues. The nation also has a desire to gain influence in the West.
Amanda Staveley, a prominent businesswoman, played a pivotal role in facilitating this high-profile acquisition. She briefly joined as a minority owner and director in Newcastle.
Despite the fact that she stepped down from this role in July, she still plays a very important role in the organization. The doubts are increasing due to the persistence of Saudi control over the club. This raises worries about the country’s true intentions in English football. Many said that Saudi used the sports platform not because of genuine passion but to improve its global image. The nation also wants to deflect the attention of the public from its controversial policies.
It highlights that for the Saudi nation, it is important to manage its reputation at the international level rather than supporting sports. This action by Saudi Arabia sparked unease among observers.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) purchased a 75% stake in 4 major clubs in June 2024. It includes Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, and Al Nassr. This action by Saudi Arabia permitted them to grab the attention of top international players and significantly increased the league’s visibility. According to the latest report, Saudi leaders are now paying attention to European clubs such as Chelsea and Liverpool. Barcelona, which is facing severe financial issues, might also be on their radar for a potential acquisition.
It raises concerns about the Saudi nation’s influence in football. Many opponents said Saudi Arabia used this sports attachment strategy to improve its image on the international stage and ignore its growing human rights concerns. It seems more about improving its political matters rather than a true love for sports. This Saudi investment may threaten the integrity of football and reshape its values. This situation calls for a critical examination of the implications of such financial power in sports.
Barcelona sold some shares due to suffering from the financial crisis. The same financial struggle is faced by many clubs in Europe, especially due to increasing debts.
The owner of the Liverpool club is Fenway Sports Group (FSG) since 2010. But there is no any involvement of Tom Werner and John Henry to run the team right now.
The situation at Chelsea is different. In May 2022, the BlueCo group purchased it for £4.25 billion. At that time, the group also made promises to invest another £1.75 billion.
This points out the major difference between the struggle for Barcelona’s money and the success of teams that have great support from Saudi investment. These cases have become the cause of growing tensions as people are wondering about football’s future. It seems like in the future, money may be prioritized more than traditional values and fair competition.
With their €75 million investment in RC Strasbourg, the Blues’ owners have demonstrated their long-term commitment to football. But there are issues with this collaboration with Saudi Arabia.
The club has recently permitted players to depart for Saudi teams, including Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, and N’Golo Kante, exposing a concerning trend in the sport. According to the regulations, an individual is not permitted to own another team if they possess more than 30% of a Premier League club.
Fair competition is confirmed by this provision, which makes it significant. The soul of the game is threatened when rich organizations, such as those from Saudi Arabia, can quickly purchase clubs and players. The league may hurt and become less competitive if money power is prioritized over true athletic ability. In order to preserve football’s integrity, this scenario requires close examination.