Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of the murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has claimed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabian (KSA) crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) is ‘worse’ than Mike Ashley as she spoke to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain (via The Chronicle) about the proposed takeover of Newcastle United.
As per the outlet, Cengiz appeared on the ITV show as a guest to speak about the new UK government sanctions on those accused of abusing human rights, which includes the case of Khashoggi’s murder.
“To Newcastle fans, if you are unhappy with the current owner, the Crown Prince will be much worse,” said Cengiz. “For fans, I want to say, if Mike Ashley’s tenure has been like a bad dream, for them the Crown Prince will be like a nightmare.”
She has previously accused MbS of being involved in the killing, writing several letters to the Premier League and members of the Toon faithful urging the blocking of the prospective £300 million deal, and took to the British outlet to stress her point again.
MbS or the Saudi Arabian government have not been found to have been tied down to the murder, but if this was found to be true, then it would arguably raise serious questions as to whether the top flight should actually approve of the bid.
Cengiz has argued that the Saudi crown prince should not be deemed a fit and proper person because of what he has been accused of, as per the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (ODT) set out by England’s highest division.
Whether this will alter the thinking of the league with regards to approving of the takeover or not is another question, but it may well put some doubt into their mind, which may be a worry for NUFC fans.
Geordies, should the Prem consider the accusations against MbS? Comment below!