Newcastle and LIV Golf, in the spotlight

Countries Persian Gulf Launched in recent years to conquer this sport. Football, Formula 1, MotoGP, Dakar Rally, Golf, Tennis, Boxing, Wrestling, Cycling and even Athletics. And all of them have been achieved in one way or another by countries like The State of QatarAnd Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaAnd the two seas also The United Arab Emirates.

entry, affected by petroleum dollars and huge investments, which was not well received by the majority of competing countries. However, there is one out of them all that could have a portion of their earnings in the sports field at great risk. This is Saudi Arabia, whose movements are closely monitored United State.

Specifically, two of them. The first is getting off Premier League with purchase Newcastlewhich is the club they managed to promote and that this tournament played a final Carabao Cup And fight for positions Champions League. The second of the major investments being studied is the establishment of a world class golf course that is trying to overshadow it PGA Tour: famous Leaf golf.

[Críticas a la FIFA por el patrocinio de Arabia Saudí en el Mundial de fútbol femenino 2023 en Oceanía]

Both operations, like almost all operations carried out by this country, are supported by IFJhe Public Investment Fund. An institution affiliated with the government of Saudi Arabia, but with legal and economic mechanisms to hide it. At least until now, since then United State Pulls a thread that might end up unbundling a file institution Saudi Arabia, whether in the Premier League or in golf. And all because a document has arrived, which refers to a very important person, Yasser Al-RumayyanAnd that it reached a court in the United States to link it directly to the Arab government.

American investigation

Many countries and organizations once proposed to end businesses that countries such as Qatar or Saudi Arabia set up in connection with sports. Investments that have no other purpose than to buy headlines and sell an unrealistic image of oppressive dictatorial societies that do not know what respect for human rights is.

One of those troubling investment currents is that of Saudi Arabia, which is making its way into global sports. Taking Dakar Rally Even deserts, considering buying a business Formula 1 After winning the Grand Prix, he dreamed of winning a race WWE (wrestling’s most important company) and has already bought the Newcastle football team. In addition, she has managed to build a golf course that rivals the PGA Tour. And it all depends on giving money from a millionaire to the best players in the world to change their faces.

However, the days of some of these investments could be numbered and the United States has proposed a thorough investigation of these operations to prove the direct links they have with the government of Saudi Arabia, something that could dismantle these movements. And it is, despite the fact that it is vox populi Since these maneuvers are paid for with state funds, they cannot have a direct connection with the government through the people who are part of the country’s leadership.

The United States has come close to proving this after an important document reached a court in the North American country. This would clarify the relationship between the Public Investment Fund, the purchase of Newcastle, the construction of LIV Golf and its relationship with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

And at the center of it all will be the figure of Yasser Al-Rumayyan, the FIP ruler of Saudi Arabia. The important Arab businessman is also listed as chairman of Newcastle after the club’s purchase was formalized in October 2021 and as the supreme organizer of the Saudi golf circuit. Both operations could be carried out after Al-Rumayyan himself was able to establish his independence from the Saudi government. The condition of the law for continuity of operations.

[El contrato de jeque de Cristiano Ronaldo: baño de oro en Arabia Saudí]

Indeed, the Premier League did not give the green light to the operation until it had “legally binding assurances” that Saudi Arabia would not have control of the club. But it is clear that this document will show that Yasir Al-Rumayyan works as an “ordinary third party” in the Saudi government, in which he will even be a minister. An accusation that, if true, could completely dismantle many operations, from Newcastle to LIV Golf.

Richard Masterschief executive of the Premier League, said L BBC In November of the year 2021, if they find evidence proving the state’s involvement in the management of the entity, they can “remove the consortium as the owner of the club.” The PL confirmed at the time that in order to accept the purchase of Newcastle by this fund “they had received legally binding guarantees that Saudi Arabia would not take control of Newcastle United Football Club”.

[La apuesta de Arabia Saudí por el deporte: de la oferta a Cristiano a patrocinar un equipo de ciclismo]

The Public Investment Fund has already spoken out against this news that has emerged from the United States accusing American justice. It goes without saying that the political and governmental relations between the two countries are very tense: “It is an extraordinary violation of the sovereignty of a foreign country that is far from justified in this case. FIP and His Excellency Yasser Othman Al-Rumayyan are not ordinary third parties subject to the basic rules regarding discovery.”

“They are a sovereign tool of Saudi Arabia and a current minister in the Saudi government. They cannot be compelled to testify and present documents in US proceedings unless their behavior — not that of LIV or anyone else — is truly appreciation Now, FIFA is rushing to reintroduce legal obligations to the concerned institutions that the fund, and not the Saudi state, controls its sports investments.

Al-Rumayyan character

The controversy that erupted in the United States that highlighted the involvement of Saudi Arabia and the Public Investment Fund in sports has left one person in the eye of the hurricane. This is Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, current FIVB ruler who also appears as president of Newcastle United and supreme organizer of Life Golf, among other major sporting projects.

However, before Al-Rumayyan became famous for his sporting adventures, he was known globally as one of the most important businessmen in Saudi Arabia and the world. In fact, among his multiple charges being Aramco CEOthe country’s state oil company.

born in BuraydahDistrict capital Al-Qassiman important businessman began his career in Dutch Saudi BankTo become one of its largest presidents at the international level. Soon after passing Capital Markets Authorityfor him Saudi Fransi Capital And to get bag Until his arrival at FIP ​​as general manager. There he became one of the most important people in the Crown Prince’s team. Mohammed bin SalmanThe head of the fund.

During his time at FIP, he made important steps such as entering a board of directors Uber As part of a $3.5 billion investment in the US company. Although, undoubtedly, the most controversial was his involvement in the transfer of assets to FIP itself through 20 companies seized by the Saudi government. One of them was later condemned for being used by special agents to kill the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

[Arabia Saudí quiere la Premier: tras el Newcastle pretende comprar el United y el Liverpool]

Under his administration, now threatened by the United States, FIP has managed to spread around the world through cities such as LondonAnd New York also San Francisco And I got into sports as part of the plan Saudi Vision 2030. However, some of their movements are now seriously threatened.