Diamond admits Newcastle Falcons are eager to attract Saudi Arabia investment

21/03/2024 20:04

• 'They want rugby to be a focus point,' says director
• Club bottom of Premiership and winless in 12 games

Newcastle's director of rugby, Steve Diamond, says the club are definitely keen to attract fresh investment from Middle Eastern backers but suggests there is no imminent prospect of a deal materialising. Diamond has also said that up to 20 players from the Premiership's bottom club will be departing at the end of the season.

Diamond, who has taken charge with Newcastle still winless after 12 matches, is preparing for a squad shakeup but is not anticipating an instant cash windfall after the club's chairman, Semore Kurdi, travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks. "I don't think there's potential investment at the minute," said Diamond. "Semore and Matt Thompson went out and met all the rugby union dignitaries in Saudi Arabia. I don't think for a minute they're expecting us to put a game on before the Tyson Fury fight in May but they want to investigate how we can help them and reciprocate if there is any potential investment.