Leaked WhatsApp messages obtained by The Telegraph suggest Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was directly involved in overseeing the takeover of Newcastle United by the state's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Businesswoman Amanda Staveley's messages indicated the Crown Prince signed off on key decisions, raising questions about assurances made to the Premier League to secure the deal.

Commentators on social media expressed little surprise at the revelations, noting the Crown Prince's prominent role in the PIF. Criticism was also directed at the Premier League's ownership tests and the acceptance of the takeover despite concerns.

The transaction, which faced initial obstacles due to fears of the Saudi state's control over the club, saw Ms. Staveley's consortium assuring that PIF would operate independently from the Saudi government. Eventually, the sale went through in October 2021, with PIF now owning 80% of the club.

The Premier League's decision to approve the takeover was met with skepticism and criticisms regarding potential motives behind the move. While Ms. Staveley played a crucial role in the deal, she distanced PIF from the Saudi state, emphasizing its autonomy as a commercial investment fund.

The issue of foreign entities owning English football clubs was also reiterated in the online discussions, with some users expressing dissatisfaction with the involvement of governments in club ownership. Overall, the revelations sparked debate and highlighted concerns surrounding transparency and ethical implications in football business dealings.