Bin Salman Exposed: Leaked Messages Reveal Shocking Truth About Newcastle Takeover

Leaked WhatsApp messages from Amanda Staveley, the former Newcastle United minority co-owner, have shed new light on the club's highly publicized takeover in 2021. According to reports, the messages suggest that Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's influential crown prince, was heavily involved in the acquisition of the club.

The leaked messages, obtained by an investigative news outlet, appear to contradict earlier assurances from Staveley and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) that the Saudi state and the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund were separate entities. The separation was a crucial condition for the takeover to be approved by the Premier League.

The £305m deal was finalized in October 2021, marking a significant milestone in the history of the club. At the time, Staveley played a pivotal role in brokering the agreement, having worked closely with PIF to secure the necessary approvals. However, the leaked messages have raised questions about the extent of the Saudi state's involvement in the takeover.

Staveley, who stepped down from Newcastle's board in July after selling her shares, has faced intense scrutiny over her role in the takeover. The leaked messages are likely to add to the pressure on her and the PIF to provide clarity on the nature of their relationship with the Saudi state.

The Premier League has previously stated that it received legally binding assurances from the PIF regarding the separation of the Saudi state and the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. However, the leaked messages have raised doubts about the validity of these assurances.

Neither Staveley nor the PIF has commented on the leaked messages. However, the PIF has previously stated that it operates independently of the Saudi state, with its investment decisions guided solely by commercial considerations.

The fallout from the leaked messages is likely to have significant implications for the Premier League and the Saudi Arabian government. The issue is likely to be the subject of intense debate in the coming weeks, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability from the parties involved in the takeover.