‘Unacceptable’ – Former Newcastle United director sacked by PIF-owned club & threatens legal action
The Saudi Pro League has been rocked by an escalating dispute between Al-Nassr FC and their former CEO Majed Al-Sorour, the ex-Newcastle United director whose abrupt dismissal has sparked threats of legal action.
This controversy reveals the growing pains of Saudi Arabia’s football revolution, where Western corporate governance clashes with Middle Eastern sporting ambitions.
Al-Nassr’s scathing 317-word statement paints a damning portrait of Al-Sorour’s six-month tenure, accusing the executive of multiple failures that transcend his controversial social media post.
The club alleges he never presented “any comprehensive strategic or operational plan” despite being granted unprecedented autonomy, while also violating confidentiality agreements during an active internal investigation.
These revelations carry particular weight given Al-Sorour’s high-profile roles at Newcastle United and LIV Golf, where he helped architect Saudi Arabia’s sports investment strategy.
The Breakdown in Detail
- The Social Media Spark – Al-Sorour’s June 12th tweet contained what Al-Nassr called “incorrect information” designed to “influence public opinion”
- Prior Suspension – He’d already been suspended since May 8th during investigations into unspecified “practices”
- Contractual Breaches – Allegedly violated signed agreements about confidentiality and suspension terms
- Strategic Failures – Accused of lacking vision for Ronaldo’s club despite carte blanche authority
Al-Sorour’s fiery response – calling his termination “unprofessional” and vowing litigation – sets the stage for a courtroom battle that could expose internal tensions within Saudi football’s ambitious project.
His attendance at Newcastle matches both before and after his Al-Nassr appointment suggests ongoing ties to PIF’s sports investments, raising questions about potential ripple effects.
Broader Implications
This clash transcends a simple employment dispute, touching on three critical issues in Saudi sports:
- Governance Growing Pains – The struggle to balance ambitious spending with professional administration
- Reputation Management – Sensitivity about public criticism from insiders
- Strategic Alignment – Ensuring executives advance long-term vision beyond star signings
For Newcastle fans, the situation offers sobering perspective on how PIF-affiliated clubs handle internal dissent. While St James’ Park has enjoyed relative stability, Al-Sorour’s case demonstrates the zero-tolerance approach to perceived disloyalty that characterizes Saudi sports leadership.
What Comes Next
Legal proceedings could reveal uncomfortable truths about Al-Nassr’s operations during Cristiano Ronaldo’s tenure. Al-Sorour’s threat of litigation suggests he possesses damaging information about club management – leverage that might force an out-of-court settlement.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr’s unusually detailed public rebuttal indicates they’re preparing for a protracted battle, likely to discourage other executives from similar challenges.
This scandal emerges at a delicate moment for Saudi football, as the league attempts to transition from retirement-age superstars to sustainable competitiveness.
How Al-Nassr navigates this crisis may set precedents affecting all PIF-owned clubs, including Newcastle United, as Saudi Arabia’s sporting ambitions enter their next phase.
The football world now watches nervously to see whether this dispute remains an isolated incident or becomes the first crack in the facade of Saudi football’s carefully curated project.
One thing is certain – Majed Al-Sorour’s next moves will be calculated to inflict maximum damage on the club that dismissed him so publicly.