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“Leaked Messages Reveal Mohammed bin Salman’s Key Role in Newcastle United Takeover”

Leaked WhatsApp messages from , the former minority co-owner of Newcastle United, indicate that Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, played a significant role in the club's takeover. Reports emerged on Sunday detailing these communications. Staveley, who sold her shares and stepped down from Newcastle's board in July, was instrumental in facilitating the £305 million deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). She successfully navigated the takeover process, which was finalized in October 2021, after the Premier League received legally binding assurances regarding the separation between the Saudi state and the sovereign wealth fund. and the PIF have reaffirmed their commitment to the assurances provided to the Premier League.

Question 1: What do the leaked WhatsApp messages from Amanda Staveley suggest about Mohammed bin Salman's involvement in the Newcastle takeover?

Answer: The leaked WhatsApp messages suggest that Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, was heavily involved in the takeover of Newcastle United.

Question 2: Who was Amanda Staveley in relation to Newcastle United, and what role did she play in the takeover?

Answer: Amanda Staveley was a former minority co-owner of Newcastle United and played a key role in brokering the £305m takeover deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Question 3: What assurances did the Premier League receive regarding the separation of the Saudi state and the PIF during the takeover process?

Answer: The Premier League received legally binding assurances that there was a separation between the Saudi state and the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund during the takeover process.

Question 4: When did Amanda Staveley step down from Newcastle’s board, and what prompted her departure?

Answer: Amanda Staveley stepped down from Newcastle’s board in July 2024 after selling her shares in the club.