Here's a thread detailing why @premierleague should disqualify the proposed #Saudi #NUFC takeover based on the Owners' and Directors' test... 1/ https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1253370407056523265

2/ First of all, let's be clear: Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman is the Chairman of the Saudi Public Investment Fund https://www.pif.gov.sa/en/Pages/Boradmembers.aspx

3/ The O/Ds' Test has a provision on "conduct outside of the UK" para F1.6. MBS can be disqualified if he has engaged in conduct that "could reasonably be considered to be dishonest" large body of credible evidence shows he falls well below this bar

4/ In December 2018, the United States Senate unanimously adopted a resolution stating that “the Senate believes Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman is responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi”
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/69/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22Khashoggi%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=2

5/ UN Expert on Extrajudicial Executions @AgnesCallamard spent 6 months investigating #Khashoggi killing and wrote a 100-page report. PL should read this report and consult Ms Callamard on her damning findings https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24713

6/ A further UN expert report found credible evidence that MBS hacked Jeff Bezos's phone in "a pattern of targeted surveillance of perceived opponents and those of broader strategic importance to the Saudi authorities" Bezos the owner of #Khashoggi's paper the Washington Post

7/ I'd be interested to know how the PL makes the argument that direction of a targeted assassination of a journalist and hacking of newspaper owners isn't dishonest. But there are other equally strong grounds for disqualification. Paragraph F1.2....

8/ MBS can be disqualified if "either directly or indirectly he is involved in or has any power to determine or influence the management or administration of another Club or Football League club" He clearly does have this power.

9/ In the first place, Sheffield United FC is owned by another member of the Al-Saud family, Saudi businessman, His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz. This is clearly a huge problem, not least because of the Ritz Carlton Riyadh affair...

10/ In Feb 2019 @HRW accused MBS of a "shake down" of prominent Saudis, including princesses and businessmen a the Ritz Carlton. @NYTBen reported how one detainee was tortured to death. MBS has vast power and influence over other Saudi nationals, including princes and businessmen

11/ Further issue relating to influence is #UAE control and ownership of Manchester City. UAE and KSA are close strategic allies and have waged war in Yemen and been involved in coup in Egypt. Personal relationship between MBS and MBZ very well documented https://www.institutmontaigne.org/en/blog/portraits-mohammed-bin-salman-mbs-and-mohammed-bin-zayed-mbz-crown-prince-saudi-arabia-and-chairman

12/ Deal can be disqualified with reference to above criteria but test should also be interpreted in light of object and purpose of regulations, as outlined by the FA : “to protect clubs and the reputation and image of the game.” This is why they exist.

13/ To take just one example, how does allowing a club takeover from a regime that has done this to the Saudi women's rights activist Loujain Al-Hathloul square with the reputation and image of the game? https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/13/opinion/saudi-women-rights-activist-prison-pompeo.html

14/ Media reports have said the PL will talk to the British govt, who won't oppose the deal. It is clear what weight should be given to the view of the British govt. Theirs should not be the only view sought for very obvious reasons.

15/ For more insight from real Saudi experts see @MiguelDelaney's brilliant piece on this and the views of @iyad_elbaghdadi @courtneyfreer @Dr_Ulrichsen and @cooglea https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/newcastle-united-saudi-arabia-takeover-latest-staveley-ashley-a9468236.html