The latest gushing of oil money into English football — the Saudi Arabia-backed £305 million (US$415.7 million) takeover of Newcastle United — has been called into question by human rights group Amnesty International, but the club's success-starved fans just cannot stop celebrating.
The English Premier League (EPL) gave its nod to the deal after receiving "legally binding assurances" the Saudi state would not control the club.
This was based on a finding that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) — the Saudi sovereign wealth fund — is a separate entity to the kingdom, even though Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is its chairman.
