La Liga president weighs into Newcastle United takeover row

Financier Amanda Staveley, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and property investors David and Simon Reuben, has agreed a £300million deal for the club with owner Mike Ashley.

The proposed takeover has been with the Premier League for their owners’ and directors’ test for the past few weeks, and the buyers are confident it will get the go-ahead.

Tebas, like Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports, has objected on the grounds of piracy, as European football games have been illegally streamed in Saudi Arabia by BeoutQ.

The Premier League and La Liga have been trying to shut down the service, and Tebas has hit out at those who was “stealing” football rights in a statement issued to Associated Press.

Tebas told AP: “European football rights – including Newcastle rights – have been stolen systematically by BeoutQ for three years.

“Now the Saudis want a seat at the top table – forgetting the damage they have done through BeoutQ. If football leagues and clubs do not protect their intellectual property, they have nothing. La Liga couldn’t be clearer about this – stealing the football broadcast is stealing football.”

Amnesty International have also objected to the takeover because of Saudi Arabia’s record on human rights, while Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered journalists Jamal Khashoggi, has tweeted her opposition to the deal.

The takeover, however, has strong backing among fans on Tyneside.