Newcastle United have confirmed this week that St James' Park will play host to two Saudi Arabia fixtures during next month's international break. 

The Green Falcons, who memorably defeated champions Argentina in last year's World Cup, will face Costa Rica on Friday, 8 September, and South Korea on Tuesday, 12 September.

A Saudi Arabia-backed takeover of Newcastle was completed in October 2021, with 80% of the funds provided by the state's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Since then, Newcastle have been transformed on the pitch, with Eddie Howe's side now looking forward to the Champions League, rather than the Championship, as they battled against relegation under Mike Ashley's regime. 

However, the club has faced backlash for its association with the Saudi Arabian government, in particular from human rights groups and Hatice Cengiz - the fiancée of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 

Both Newcastle and the Premier League insisted that the club's owners are separate from the Saudi state when the deal was completed nearly two years ago.

But the Toon have seemingly bolstered their links with the Middle Eastern country in recent months, first signing a £25m deal with Saudi company Sela, while their third kit also bears the same colours as the Saudi Arabian national shirt. 

These friendlies, which are part of the Green Falcons' 2024 AFC Asian Cup preparations, will only serve to increase the controversy surrounding the club and its ownership.