Newcastle cleared to sign players from PIF-owned Saudi clubs

Newcastle will be able to sign players on loan from sides also controlled by their Saudi owners in January after a vote by Premier League clubs on a temporary ban on related-party loans did not receive the required support.

Twelve clubs voted in favour of a block on loan moves between teams under the same ownership.

That was two short of the two-thirds majority needed for it to be passed.

The Premier League was understood to be in favour of introducing the ban.

It means Newcastle United, for instance, could sign players from clubs also owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

It is understood Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea, Sheffield United, Everton, Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Burnley voted against the ban.

Newcastle, whose £305m Saudi Arabia-backed takeover was completed in October 2021, have been linked with a move for former Wolves captain Ruben Neves from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

The ban was proposed as a temporary measure until a concrete solution could be agreed before the summer transfer window.

It was only set to apply to incoming loans, not outgoing ones.

PIF, which provided 80% of funds for the Newcastle takeover, took over four of the leading Saudi Arabian clubs in June - Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.

Asked in November whether he would consider signing players from PIF-controlled Saudi sides if allowed, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said he was "open to signing anyone if they are good enough".

Other high-profile former Premier League players currently at PIF-owned clubs include Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Roberto Firmino (Al-Ahli), Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) and Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli).

But it is a potential January move for 26-year-old Neves - who joined Al-Hilal for £47m in June - which could help the Magpies fill the midfield gap created by Sandro Tonali's 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.

PIF, which is governed by Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, has assets of £250bn - making Newcastle one of the richest clubs in the world.

Newcastle are not the only Premier League team part of a multi-club ownership model. Manchester City are one of 13 clubs - along with La Liga leaders Girona - under the control of the City Football Group.

Crystal Palace are one of five clubs - including French club Lyon - owned by Eagle Football Holdings, while Chelsea's owners BlueCo took a majority stake in Strasbourg in June.

The vote is a rare defeat for the Premier League, which was mindful of concerns among some of its members that loans between affiliated clubs could hand rivals an unfair advantage. But there were also suggestions any ban could face a legal challenge.

Tougher rules relating to sponsorship deals between 'associated parties' also failed to get the necessary support, with seven clubs voting against the amendment. They were understood to be the same clubs that opposed the ban on loans, except Burnley.

League chiefs were also unable to get clubs to approve a £900m so-called 'New Deal' financial settlement with the English Football League, despite hopes a package could be announced. Insiders insisted there was "positive momentum" behind talks, but no vote took place after a continuing impasse over new cost control measures.

A report by the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee in June said if no funding plan is reached soon, the government should accelerate setting up an independent football regulator "to impose a deal".

The panel that docked Everton points will decide on compensation claims.

The same independent panel that docked Everton 10 points for breaching Premier League financial rules will decide on any financial compensation claims from rival clubs.

Leeds and Leicester - who were relegated to the Championship last season - along with Burnley - who were relegated in 2022 before returning - are weighing up whether to press ahead with a claim against the Toffees.

Had the 10-point deduction been applied in 2021-22, Burnley would have stayed up, as would Leicester last season if it had counted then. Leeds would have finished a place higher, but would still have gone down.

It has been reported Everton could potentially face claims for tens of millions of pounds.

The clubs have 28 days from the date of the ruling to decide.

If they do, barrister David Phillips KC, High Court judge His Honour Alan Greenwood, and chartered accountant Nick Igoe (former West Ham finance director), would hear their arguments.

In last week's ruling, Phillips KC referenced applications for financial compensation from several clubs, saying he was "satisfied" that they had "potential claims".

Everton has 14 days from the ruling to appeal.