Saudi Arabia was yesterday blacklisted by the US government due to piracy overshadowing its likely £300m takeover of Newcastle United.
The desert kingdom was put on a ‘Priority Watch List’ following complaints from the Premier League, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee as well as broadcasters including Sky and BT Sport.
It comes as the Premier League considers whether to allow a takeover of The Magpies which would give Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) an 80% stake in the club.
The move has been opposed on grounds of the piracy which is costing English clubs millions of pounds as well as human rights groups.
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