Premier League lawyers are reportedly investigating claims that Saudi Arabia are involved in the illegal broadcasting of top-flight matches, placing Newcastle's proposed £300million takeover by a Saudi-led consortium in doubt.
It emerged on Tuesday night that English football's biggest overseas broadcast partner beIN Sports had urged clubs to block the move backed by funds from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The broadcast giants shone a light on Saudi Arabia's involvement in the piracy of matches, highlighting the Premier League's unsuccessful attempts to take legal action against the state-owned satellite provider, Arabsat, in Saudi Arabia.