Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahli Saudi FC are one of the four Saudi Arabian clubs who will now be controlled by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), who own a 80% share in Premier League side Newcastle United.
On Monday, the Saudi Arabia ministry of sport announced that PIF will take control of the four founding members of the Saudi Pro League, namely: Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Nassr.
The latter are the club of Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed out on the league title despite adding the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in January to their squad. Instead, the league was won by Al Ittihad, who have been heavily linked with Karim Benzema.
PIF will now control 75% of those four clubs, with the other 25% controlled by a non-profit organisation, where members of the current board can have a seat.
All Saudi clubs were previously “owned but not controlled” by the Ministry of Sport, as per ESPN.
The new plans are parts of the country’s ‘Vision 2030’ project, which also involves attempting to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The league hopes the new investment into the top four will help them attract players such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Benzema among others.
It remains to be seen where the new PIF control will leave Mosimane and his technical team after the South African claimed they have not been paid since January.
Al Ahli president Walid Moaz was quoted as saying that all contractual matters are on hold until the takeover is complete.
