Former Newcastle United midfielder Didi Hamann has lashed out at the Premier League after rubber stamping the Saudi-led takeover at the Magpies.
There has been plenty of discussion over Saudi Arabia's human rights problems since the takeover came to light almost 18 months ago.
The recent PIF takeover at Newcastle has been dubbed "sportswashing" with Amnesty International urging the Premier League to reconsider its owners' and directors' test to address human rights issues.
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Torture, execution, discrimination and no free speech are just some of the human rights problems in Saudi, with many people actively protesting against their recent involvement in Newcastle United.
Speaking on RTÉ television, Hamann has revealed his surprise at how some of his former teammates welcomed the takeover, and believes the Premier League fell short in living up to it's responsibility.
Hamann said: "I was very surprised how enthusiastically some of my former team-mates welcomed the news that a consortium led by the Saudis bought the club.
"To me the Premier League, as long as someone comes along and puts oil into the fire and invests more money into the league, it’s welcome.
"The Premier League has a ‘fit and proper person test’ and clearly that process doesn’t work.
"What I don’t understand is that the Premier League is the most watched league in the world, it has got a responsibility towards society and I don’t think they live up to that responsibility at the moment."
