MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - The confusion over official filings from the owners of Sheffield United have highlighted one potential pitfall for the Saudi bid to buy their Premier League rivals Newcastle United -- the issue of a conflict of interest.
While British media reports say the Saudi backed takeover of the club from British retail magnate Mike Ashley is close to being approved, the issue of Sheffield United being connected to the ruling House of Saud risks lingering over both teams and could return to focus when they face each other next season.
The question the Premier League must determine is whether Sheffield United, owned by Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, would be at risk of coming under the influence of Newcastle's potential majority owners - the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, PIF. Prince Abdullah is one of the Crown Prince's cousins. The ruling Al Saud family has around 10,000 members.While there is no suggestion that PIF has any direct financial involvement in Sheffield United, the question is whether, given the nature of Saudi business practice, it could influence the Yorkshire club's decision-making.
"So it is likely, in essence, to come down to whether or not a rational person would conclude that a director could exercise influence over Sheffield United FC," he added. On Thursday, a filing from Sheffield United appeared on the UK's Companies House register, stating that Prince Abdullah had ceased to be a 'person with significant control' on Oct. 18.
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