Ant and Dec ‘used clout to promote Saudi takeover of Newcastle according to Amanda Staveley’s leaked WhatsApp messages’

TV SUPERSTARS Ant and Dec allegedly helped to promote the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s Newcastle United takeover.

The Geordie duo were reportedly asked to share an article from the Shields Gazette in October 2020 about opposition to the Premier League failing to approve the PIF buy-out.

GettyAnt and Dec allegedly helped to promote the Saudi PIF’s Newcastle takeover[/caption]

PAAmanda Staveley’s alleged leaked WhatsApp messages promised the pair would ‘push’ articles[/caption]

The Telegraph have claimed to have seen WhatsApp messages from ex-Newcastle director Amanda Staveley that promised the multi-award winning big screen pair would ‘push’ the piece.

Ant and Dec then shared the article on Twitter within four minutes.

The Shields Gazette had written about a supporters’ group who were claiming that by delaying the takeover the Premier League was acting against UK anti-competition law.

This investigation by The Telegraph then states that Ant and Dec shared another article from the same publication two days later regarding the progress of the takeover and that answered questions on it.

The Premier League had refused to sanction the takeover earlier that summer due to concerns about the consortium, which was backed by PIF, and their links to the Saudi state.

That led to the bid initially being abandoned due to them not being able to provide separation between themselves and the Saudi state, which is led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

That led to a petition that called on Prem chiefs to explain their reasons for delaying the takeover of the consortium that was made up of the Saudi Arabian PIF, the Reuben Brothers, and Staveley.

Things turned nasty when Premier League chief executive Richard Masters came under a personal attack and had his home address shared on fan forums online.

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The main sticking point and hold up was with regards to the completion of a key Premier League form in the owners and directors test about club control and ownership.

In particular, the residing of the 80 per cent stake in the club in Saudi.

Ant and Dec attended Newcastle’s first match following the takeover in 2021Getty

Top-flight bosses wanted to make the link between the Saudi Arabian state and Newcastle open but it was met by resistance and, after an offer to place the issue in arbitration was also rejected, the consortium pulled out.

However, over a year later in September 2021 the £305m takeover was completed after proof that the Saudi state would not actually be in control of the North East club was provided and the Premier League owners’ and directors’ test was passed.

SunSport have reached out to Ant and Dec’s team for comment.