Mohammed bin Salman is trying to restore his image. If the
Premier League allows this, its reputation will be stained for ever
• Hatice Cengiz was the fiancee of
Jamal Khashoggi
The planned takeover of Newcastle United by a consortium controlled by the Saudi crown prince,
Mohammed bin Salman, is raising questions around the world.
Human Rights groups have condemned this cynical attempt by the kingdom to “sportswash” its human rights abuses. But there’s still nothing to suggest the £300m takeover will be blocked.
Over the past few years, the crown prince and de facto ruler of
Saudi Arabia, commonly known as MBS, has spent a fortune positioning himself to the world as a moderniser. In 2017 he asked for global support in transforming the kingdom into an open society that would empower its citizens and – crucially – attract foreign investment. He has ostensibly introduced some liberal reforms, rescinding the ban on female drivers and restricting the powers of the religious
police. He has also spent hundreds of millions building a global public relations machine selling his agenda to the world.