Soccer-Newcastle co-owner Staveley 'sad' for Abramovich

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Newcastle United Takeover - Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle, Britain - October 7, 2021 Businesswoman Amanda Staveley after Newcastle announced takeover Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Newcastle United shareholder Amanda Staveley expressed sympathy for Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich on Thursday after his announcememt that he was putting the club up for sale.

Speaking at a soccer summit in London, Staveley once again defended Newcastle's takeover last year by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) -- a deal she helped facilitate.