MIKE ASHLEY is yet to accept an offer to buy Newcastle, backed by Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Toon owner is renowned as a tough negotiator and nothing can be taken for granted, even with the emergence of the most credible bid yet to buy him out.
Mike Ashleyis is yet to accept an offer to buy Newcastle, backed by Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin SalmanCredit: PA:Press Association
Mohammad bin Salman is part of a consortium ’90 per cent certain’ to buy NewcastleCredit: Getty – Contributor
The consortium, fronted by financier Amanda Staveley, is believed to be the only viable option to acquire the club, despite rumours of other interested parties.
But Ashley will not be pressurised into a quick decision.
Both sides are declining to comment on the progress, if any, of negotiations.
It comes after the leading human rights group Amnesty International branded the potential Toon takeover as “sportswashing”.
And while Newcastle fans have been desperate for the departure of Ashley for years, Amnesty have raised concerns over the Sports Direct tycoon’s potential replacements – a consortium that would include Mohammad bin Salman.
Amnesty’s UK Head of Campaigns Felix Jakens said: “Given the deluge of investment in sport we’ve seen from Saudi Arabia recently, a takeover of Newcastle United wouldn’t come as a major surprise.
“Saudi Arabia is well-known for its attempts at ‘sportswashing’ – trying to use the glamour and prestige of top-tier sport as a PR tool to distract from the country’s abysmal human rights record.
“Under the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, there’s been a sweeping human rights crackdown – with numerous peaceful activists jailed, including Loujain al-Hathloul and other brave women’s rights defenders.
“There’s been a blatant whitewash over Jamal Khasoggi’s grisly murder, there are continuing concerns over Saudi hacking, and the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen has a bloody record of launching indiscriminate attacks on homes and hospitals.
“It’s not for us to say who should own Newcastle United, but players , back-room staff and fans alike ought to see this for what it is – sportswashing, plain and simple.”
Magpies fans are desperate for Ashley to be replacedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
