Amanda Staveley reveals Newcastle United takeover consortium thoughts on responsibility of ownership as deal wait goes on

However, the PCP Capital Partners director did confirm she is unable to talk explicitly about her stalled £300m+ takeover of the Magpies, along with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the Reuben Brothers, due to ‘strict Non-Disclosure Agreements.

Speaking on a Bloomberg Terminal live blog tackling the recent European Super League debacle, Staveley swerved any talk of the United deal – which rumbles on down legal avenues – but did reveal some key thoughts on objectives and responsibilities of Middle Eastern investors in football clubs, such as the likes of PIF, as well as the impact COVID has on their want to invest.

On the topic of Newcastle United see first clarified: "Firstly, I am party to strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), so I cannot speak about Newcastle United at this time.”

And when asked about the Premier League and their recent controversies, she said: "We are not going to make comment about the EPL leadership. What I will say is that undoubtedly the EPL is the best league in the world."

Drilling down on what it means to become an investor in a football club – Staveley is likely to sit on the United board should her Saudi-led deal eventually get the green light – she revealed it is, and always should be, about more than just money.

"We cannot really speak to the objectives of American owners, although clearly financial returns are high up their agenda,” said Staveley.

"As investors we understand that. As for owners from the Middle East, there are many aspects they consider. Football has an impact on wider society. Our investing partners appreciate and understand that.

"They also understand that when we become owners we become custodians of important entities within their local communities.

"Lastly, it’s important to emphasize that they are seriously long-term investors with the ability to weather downturns such as the current Covid-led reduction in revenues."

United owner Mike Ashley is pushing ahead with both an arbitration case and a Competition Appeal Tribunal case to push through the Staveley-brokered deal, 15 months on when news first revealed details of the potential takeover.

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