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Kieran Maguire: Newcastle United are being 'scapegoated' as he shares big PiF claim
The Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ are pushing to block party-related deals as they feel threatened by Newcastle United.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that Newcastle’s league rivals are trying to ‘put a ball and chain around the ankle’ of the club.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Premier League clubs are set to vote for tougher rules on related-party commercial deals.
If the vote is passed, it would make it significantly harder for Newcastle to strike commercial deals with Saudi-based companies.
The Magpies struck a £25million agreement with Sela and a sleeve sponsorship with Noon since their takeover in 2021, but all agreements have been approved by the Premier League’s new ‘Fair Market Value’ assessment.
New restrictions would require clubs to prove they had multiple offers of the same value before striking an agreement with a related party.
Maguire believes a vote for rule changes wouldn’t be taking place if Newcastle United weren’t acquired by PIF.
“I think it’s fair to say that had PIF not acquired Newcastle United, there would be no vote for changes,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“So therefore, yes, I can understand the view that the club is being scapegoated.
“The Big Six don’t like the idea of it becoming a big seven.
“So therefore they are trying to put a ball and chain around the ankle of Newcastle United.
“If you take a look at the ‘other 14’ clubs, Newcastle were relegated twice under Mike Ashley and therefore they always saw Newcastle as a possible contender for a relegation scrap.
“But Newcastle will not be in that position going forwards thanks to the extent of the investment by the new owners.“
In other news, Newcastle United told £40m Cherki offer will be accepted