Ant and Dec Linked to Newcastle Takeover

Leaked WhatsApp messages reveal that TV stars Ant and Dec were enlisted to promote the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United in October 2020. Amanda Staveley, who negotiated the purchase, assured Newcastle's then-owner Mike Ashley that the duo would help by sharing a Shields Gazette article discussing the Premier League's delays in approving the bid. Within minutes of her message, Ant and Dec's official Twitter account posted the article, which highlighted claims that the Premier League's actions were against UK anti-competition laws. The deal was initially stalled due to concerns about the Saudi Public Investment Fund's links to the Saudi state and the lack of separation between the two. Following a year of negotiations, the takeover was eventually completed after the Premier League dropped its objections. The situation escalated tensions between fans and the Premier League, leading to personal attacks on the league's chief executive.