The Premier League wrote to the United States government in February urging it to keep Saudi Arabia on a watch list because it said the country 'remained a centre for piracy'.
The revelation comes as the league considers a takeover of Newcastle which would involve the country's public investment fund (PIF) taking an 80 per cent stake in the club.
It represents an issue for the Newcastle takeover as beIN Sports, the Premier League's biggest overseas broadcaster, recently sent a letter to the division urging it to block the takeover.
The would-be buyers must pass the league's owners and directors' test, which looks at whether those involved have the funds to proceed and also whether they have been involved in anything which has been found to be, or could be deemed to be, criminal activity.