The close relationship between a Saudi-backed football club and a local authority has been criticised by human rights campaigners.
BBC File on 4 has discovered a senior Newcastle City Council officer wrote to Newcastle United (NUFC) co-owner Amanda Staveley asking her to lobby government ministers over repairs to the Tyne Bridge when funding from the Department for Transport stalled.
Saudi Arabia's human rights record was raised when the club was taken over in 2021, but there are concerns it is being ignored by a council desperate for investment.
NUFC declined to comment. The Saudi Embassy in the UK and Ms Staveley have not responded.