The fiancée of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi has urged the Premier League to block the proposed sale of Newcastle United to Saudi Arabia.

Lawyers for Hatice Cengiz have written to the Premier League's chief executive, Richard Masters, suggesting that sanctioning a takeover of the St James' Park club by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund would make English football complicit in the "cover-up" of Khashoggi's alleged murder by the kingdom.

Khashoggi, who worked for the Washington Post, was killed and dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018.

Image: The takeover could reportedly be completed within the next fortnight

He had been visiting the consulate to obtain documents he needed to get married and was killed soon after entering the building.

In December, Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor said five people had been sentenced to death over his killing.


The Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle could be completed within the next fortnight, the PA news agency reported on Monday.

Ms Cengiz's lawyer, Rodney Dixon, wrote in a letter to Mr Masters: "The proposed acquisition is not just 'business' for the Crown Prince and the Saudi authorities, but an attempt to evade justice and international scrutiny for an unconscionable act.

"It would emasculate the Premier League's core principles and rules, and ruin its good reputation and character, to allow the Crown Prince and the Saudi authorities to use this acquisition to seek to repair their international standing."

The letter continued: "It is undoubtedly the right, proper and lawful action for you (Mr Masters) and the Premier League to take, especially in light of the ruthless killing of Ms Cengiz's fiance."

Image: Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz

Human rights organisations have already condemned the proposed takeover which would see Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, take an 80% stake in Newcastle United.

Amnesty International has accused Saudi Arabia of using high-profile events as a form of "sport washing" to distract from what they say are grave human rights abuses and a worsening repression of women in the country.

But the British Government has confirmed it will not intervene in the deal.

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden told a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee hearing that the final decision on the takeover rested with the Premier League.

The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Masters, said its processes "go beyond those required by UK company law" and are applied "with equal rigour" to all clubs, and on an objective rather than subjective basis.