By Kieran Maguire

14th Sep, 2023 | 6:00am

Kieran Maguire reveals Newcastle United view on blocking future Saudi takeovers

Newcastle United are more worried about Financial Fair Play than they are about restrictions to nation-states owning clubs.

That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that it would actually be in the interest of Newcastle for the Premier League to introduce restrictions to sovereign wealth funds.

As reported by The Guardian, leading Premier League clubs have asked the government to block nation-states from owning English football teams.

The UK government recently confirmed the imminent arrival of an independent football regulator, and clubs are pushing for nation-state regulation to be included.

Newcastle United are owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, which shares strong ties with the Saudi government despite the Magpies insisting they are entirely separate.

Maguire explained that government intervention is unlikely and FFP regulations pose a bigger threat to Newcastle’s ownership than any possible nation-state restrictions.

“The PIF will be relaxed when it comes to any pressure being put on the Premier League to restrict sovereign wealth funds from acquiring Premier League clubs in future,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.

“It could be argued that such restrictions would actually be in Newcastle’s interest as it increases the scarcity factor of investment by Saudi Arabia and PIF.

“Going forward, their main issue will be compliance with FFP – they will not be worried about overseas ownership.

“Many Middle Eastern states are significant trading partners of the UK, so it is unlikely that the government will step in.

“I don’t see them putting any pressure on the Premier League or the regulator to tighten up the rules when it comes to overseas investment.“

In other news, Kieran Maguire reveals what Newcastle United really think about Saudi teams in Champions League