Amnesty International has called on the Premier League to review their owners and directors test in the wake of the failed Newcastle United takeover.
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the Reuben brothers have withdrawn from the bid following a protracted saga spanning at least four months.
Amnesty International were one of numerous individuals and groups to speak out against the deal on the grounds of Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
Following the news on Thursday afternoon of the breakdown of the deal, the human rights group issued a passionate response on what they considered a "blatant attempt" to "sportswash its abysmal human rights record".
Peter Frankental, Amnesty International UK’s Economics Affairs Programme Director, said: “This deal was always a blatant attempt by the government of Saudi Arabia to try to sportswash its abysmal human rights record by buying into the passion, prestige and pride of Tyneside football.
“The fact that this sportswashing bid has failed will be seen by human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia as a sign that their suffering has not been entirely overlooked.
“Numerous peaceful Saudi human rights activists are currently behind bars, and of course a Saudi journalist was grotesquely murdered by agents of the Saudi state less than two years ago.
“Looking ahead, there needs to be a rule change to ensure the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test provides proper scrutiny of the human rights records of those trying to buy into English football, not least when the buyers are governments or government representatives.
“We’ll be watching developments at St James’ Park with interest and meanwhile we wish Newcastle United and its fans well.”
