Newcastle United and LIV Golf Chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan faces £58m lawsuit linked to Saudi Crown Prince

Yasir al-Rumayyan, the chairman of Newcastle United and governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is reportedly confronting a £58 million lawsuit alleging that he “carried out the instructions” of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, with purported “malicious intent”.

Legal documents, delivered to Rumayyan at various locations, including St James’ Park, claim that his actions were aimed at “harming, silencing and ultimately destroying” the family of Dr. Saad Aljabri, the kingdom’s former intelligence chief. The papers, as reported by the Athletic, seek to add Rumayyan to an existing case and bring new claims against him and others involved.

The lawsuit also contends that Rumayyan was “directly involved” in a three-and-a-half-year campaign, spanning from June 2017 to January 2021, targeting the family of Aljabri, a former top aide to Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. Nayef was ousted as heir to the Saudi throne in 2017 by Prince Mohammed bin Salman and has remained in detention since 2020. Aljabri currently resides in Canada after fleeing the kingdom seven years ago. Should the case proceed in Canadian courts, the Aljabri family is seeking £58 million in damages.

🚨⚽️ Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the chairman of Newcastle United and LIV Golf, faces being sued for allegedly “having carried out the instructions” of the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman…#PremierLeague #Football pic.twitter.com/y3DaMpvN5Q

— Linesman ⚽️ (@_Linesman_) January 16, 2024

Rumayyan, who is also the chairman of LIV Golf, played a pivotal role in the acquisition of an 80 percent stake in Newcastle by PIF in October 2021. The Premier League greenlit the takeover only after receiving “legally binding assurances” that the kingdom would not control the club.

Last year, Saudi authorities argued that Rumayyan and PIF should be shielded from giving evidence in a legal case against the PGA Tour involving the LIV Golf Series, citing sovereign immunity laws.

Newcastle United has deferred inquiries on this matter to PIF, which, along with the Saudi government, has been approached for comment.