SQUEAKY BUM TYNE

Newcastle face fresh scrutiny as new football chief is rushed in

- ANDY DUNN

NEWCASTLE UNITED'S ownership will come under renewed scrutiny when football's independent regulator comes into power.

The Football Governance Bill was introduced in Parliament yesterday and Government ministers want it rushed through before the next General Election.

And, when it becomes law, clubs will have to get a licence to operate and that will only be granted when they have proved the identity of their ultimate owner.

That will also apply to existing owners as well as prospective ones.

When the takeover of Newcastle was completed in 2021, it was only waved through when the Premier League received "legally binding assurances" that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - which has an 80 percent stake in the is separate from the club Saudi state.