Skip to main content
Saudi Arabia stirs the Premier League pot
JAMES NALTON writes about how today, football monopoly is becoming a fact
Club director Amanda Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi (left) with then newly-appointed Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, November 2021

THE Saudi Professional League (SPL) is causing a stir in football this summer, throwing its money around in a bid to attract more of the game’s global stars to the league.

The surge of spending, on wages even if not on transfer fees, comes on the back of four of the league’s biggest clubs being bought out by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is also the majority owner at Newcastle United.

Earlier this month, PIF announced 75 per cent ownership in Saudi clubs al-Ittihad, al-Ahli, al-Nassr and al-Hilal, as part of the country’s Sports Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Liverpool fans celebrate victory in the Premier League outside Anfield, Liverpool, April 26, 2025
Men’s football / 2 May 2025
2 May 2025

JAMES NALTON writes on how the title win has sparked long-awaited celebrations among fans after a triumph four years — and one pandemic — in the making

Zhao Xintong during his match against Jak Jones (not pictured), during day three of the Halo World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. Picture date: Monday April 21, 202
Snooker / 26 April 2025
26 April 2025

JAMES NALTON hails the rise of the number of Chinese players heading to the Crucible   

Everton fans in the stands ahead of the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool, April 19, 2025
Men’s football / 21 April 2025
21 April 2025

As the historic ground prepares for its emotional farewell, even visiting teams like Manchester City are paying tribute to one of English football’s most storied stadiums, writes JAMES NALTON

Manchester City fans hold a banner in protest of ticket rese
Men’s football / 18 April 2025
18 April 2025

A new front in the fight for football’s soul is emerging — one rooted in trade union values and collective power

Similar stories
GROTESQUE DISTRACTIONS: Bebe Rexha and David Guetta perform
Features / 10 March 2025
10 March 2025
From golf and football to Formula One, the kingdom uses unprecedented investments in global sport to divert attention from its persecution of journalists, dissidents and women, write BELLA KATZ and ROGER McKENZIE
Liverpool fans with a banner that reads #Stop Exploiting Loy
Men's football / 7 February 2025
7 February 2025
Premier League signage, May 19, 2024
Men's football / 25 October 2024
25 October 2024
The Bill has been strengthened thanks to the tireless work of those pushing for meaningful change, writes JAMES NALTON, but questions remain over how effective it will be in practice
Pyrotechnics as Anthony Joshua walks to the ring ahead of th
Men’s Boxing / 24 September 2024
24 September 2024