‘Abramovich treatment unfair’ says Newcastle 

Newcastle United co-chief executive Amanda Staveley says it isn’t fair that Roman Abramovich is ‘having his football club taken away’.

Staveley was responding to questions about the risks associated with overseas investment in football clubs.

 ‘This world is always going to have problems and I know it is really hard, and I am really sad today that someone is going to have a football club taken away because of a relationship they may have with someone.

Abramovich has put Chelsea up for sale, asking for £3BN, following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, which began last Thursday.

Staveley was asked if events in Russia, and the shockwaves it has sent through sport resulting in almost total isolation of the country in terms of participation and investment because her concern should there be any incidents involving Saudi Arabia.

‘No, absolutely not,’ said the executive. ‘I was so confident about the relationship. It is not Saudi Arabia it is the Public Investment Fund.

‘I knew there was only one main investor for Newcastle. I knew who it was and I knew there would bever be any instance [when] this would be the wrong relationship for us and for the fans.

Staveley spoke of her passion for Saudi Arabia. She added: ‘I think we have got to remember with Saudi that it is an incredible, big important country that I love. I love the people there It is a young vibrant population and I have seen it change so much.

‘I have got to know a lot of people and I am excited. I would rather everybody got excited about football than being involved in war.’