Rather surprising news to report this evening in regard to a transfer ruling set to be abused by Newcastle.
Newcastle have been granted permission to sign players from Saudi Arabia after a Premier League vote on a temporary ban regarding loans between clubs with associated owners failed to get enough support at Tuesday’s shareholders meeting, as per the Daily Mail.
It’s further proof that football is being let down by its authorities – even those running the clubs – so the sooner we have a proper regulator in order, I don’t think we can hope for any real positive change.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund own Newcastle as well as a number of Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al-Hilal, where Ruben Neves currently plays. The former Wolves midfielder has been strongly linked with a switch to Newcastle in January following the news that Sandro Tonali was banned for 10-months for breaching betting rules.
United’s rivals and Premier League champions Man City are part of the City Football Group – which is also responsible for clubs such as Girona, Palermo and New York City. A ban would have meant loans between these clubs could not have taken place too.
As far as Manchester United are concerned, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will soon arrive as a minority shareholder but he also owns OGC Nice in Ligue 1 and Swiss club Lausanne.
However, we are none the wiser on which stance United took on the vote.
But there will be no change in ruling as far as Newcastle and City are concerned.
Newcastle are expected to take advantage of it by signing Neves in January.
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