THE fiancée of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi today criticised the takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi-led consortium, accusing the football club of only thinking of money.

Hatice Cengiz, who was set to marry Khashoggi when he was killed in 2018 inside Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, said the £300 million (RM1.7 billion) takeover deal was “heartbreaking” for her and she was “very disappointed”.

“It seems like they (Newcastle fans) don’t care about what happened to Jamal, they just care about the financial future,” Cengiz told BBC radio.

“I want to remind them that there is something more important than money, that there is something more important than the financial situation of this club.

“You should send the message to them that they cannot buy any English team because of this crime – it is the clear message that every English person should send them.”

Western intelligence agencies accuse Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of authorising the murder of the Washington Post contributor, who was a US resident.

The crown prince also heads the Gulf kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, which was the driving force behind the Newcastle deal.

Saudis have strongly rejected reports of the prince’s involvement in Khashoggi’s killing.

Britain, a major arms exporter to Saudi, imposed sanctions on 20 Saudis suspected of involvement in Khashoggi’s murder.

The takeover of the Premier League club was welcomed with scenes of jubilation outside Newcastle’s St James’ Park ground as fans let off flares.

‘Blood on its hands’

But the arrival of Saudi money at the struggling club in northeast England has been met with warnings from experts and human rights groups. 

Professor Madawi Al-Rasheed, a visiting professor at the London School of Economics, said Mohammed would without doubt be involved in decisions at the club.

“It is very, very unrealistic to say there is a separation between public and private funds in Saudi Arabia,” she told Channel 4 News last night.

The academic also said the prince would look to use the Premier League to rehabilitate his and the Gulf kingdom’s image after abuses such as the Khashoggi killing.

“Britain could become a platform for the dictators of this world,” Madawi said. “It’s a major decision that has to be discussed at a very high level in government in this country. 

“Saudi Arabia is a country where there is no accountability. It is basically the rule of one man. I see here the crown jewels are being sold to a crown with blood on its hands.”

Amnesty International has condemned the Premier League’s decision to give the green light to the takeover, accusing Saudi Arabia of using its involvement in English football to “sports-wash” its human rights record.

The Premier League had said it would consider warnings from Cengiz after the Saudi takeover was first floated. – AFP, October 8, 2021.