Toon pay price for playing by the rules

LIMITS KEEP SAUDIS FROM SPLASHING OUT

- Simon Bird

NEWCASTLE UNITED have the richest owners in the world but are unable to get their wealth onto the pitch.

On one hand the Premier League wants competition, with fresh blood challenging for honours.

On the other, Newcastle’s accounts have revealed the handbrake Premier League profit and sustainability rules have put on their relaunch. This is no Manchester City-style splurge. The good news is that Newcastle are growing rapidly – turnover soaring to £250million after finishing fourth. The bad news is they are still hundreds of millions behind their top-six rivals, with City at £710m and even Spurs £444m in their most recent accounts.