Exclusive: Saudis will spend 'BIG' making Newcastle United 'major players' if they complete takeover
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Hearn, in Newcastle this week to promote Geordie Lewis Ritson’s April fight at the Utilita Arena, has first-hand experience of dealing with Saudi Arabia’s ruling royal family and their various sectors of sports governance having taken the Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua roadshow to Diriyah, on the outskirts of Riyadh, in December for a world heavyweight title fight against Andy Ruiz Jnr.
And Hearn thinks if the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia deal gets done with Mike Ashley, Magpies fans will be in for an exciting ride.
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Hide Ad“They love their combat sports but football? Another thing altogether. But they are major players in everything that they do,” said Hearn, who refuted claims in the national press that his father Barry Hearn was part of takeover talks.
“They are not around to mess around.
“And if they get involved in a football club, they are going to be spending money. They are not short of money, put it that way.
“It is one for a supporter – how do you feel about being taken over by a Saudi Arabian consortium? Well, we know that once we get over that, we are going to be major players.
“If they come in, they will make sure Newcastle are major players.”
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Hide AdHearn and Joshua were accused of taking part in what Amnesty International call ‘sportswashing’ by staging their last fight in the kingdom, and the same has already been levelled at any potential influx of sovereign wealth fund cash to the Premier League.
Joshua’s promoter has absolutely no qualms about taking Joshua or any other fighter in his stable back to Saudi – and he thinks Newcastle fans will feel the same should PIF buy out Mike Ashley.
“There are always concerns when you do international business but we got a lot of criticism. There was the human rights, etc, etc. All I can say was that our experience from start to finish was absolutely first class. Everything they promised us, they delivered,” said Hearn.
“They do have a lot of money and that makes a big difference.
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Hide Ad“I can't speak highly enough of our experience with the Saudis.”
Hearn continued: “We will take Joshua back there. We have partnerships with the people out there.
“They want the biggest of everything, the best of everything. They don't want small fights, they want the biggest fights out there.
“This is why when it comes to a football club, they won't settle for anything but buying something and making it the biggest club.
“They [Newcastle] could do worse.”
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Hide AdOf talk Matchroom and the Hearns acted as fixers to facilitate takeover talk in December, he said: "It is absolute rubbish.
“I asked him [Barry] where it had come from and he said 'no idea'.
“We love Newcastle United, but we ain't buying it. We are not in the running.”