The Saudi Arabian sports ministry imposed a media blackout after the defeat against Costa Rica at St. James’ Park, preventing new coach Roberto Mancini from speaking to the press

• Saudi Arabia lost their friendly against Costa Rica 3-1 at St. James’ Park
• However, after a media blackout was imposed, there was no post-match reaction
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast

It has emerged that Saudi Arabia’s sports ministry imposed a media blackout following the 3-1 friendly loss to Costa Rica at St James’ Park.

Roberto Mancini’s first game as manager of the Saudi team was marred by the defeat and he was later prevented from carrying out his usual post-match press duties.

Typically, a manager will address both the written and broadcast media after every game, regardless of the result, with only extremely rare exceptions.

Due to the imposed blackout, Mancini was banned from discussing the loss on Tyneside. Newcastle United was not involved in the decision.

In fact, the silence was instead ordered by the Saudi government, Sky Sports claims.

The Saudi Arabian Sports Ministry imposed a media blackout following the 3-1 loss to Costa Rica. New coach Roberto Mancini was prevented from carrying out his post-match press duties

The friendly was the first of two friendlies played at St James’ Park during the international break and is believed to have had fewer than 5,000 fans in attendance.

Before the game, a group of Newcastle fans protested against the controversial use of the historic stadium by the Saudi national team.

The group “NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing” held up posters depicting several young men who they said were on death row in the kingdom “for a demonstration.” Mancini may have been asked about the protest during his press conference.

With the stadium given the green light to host the games, the connection between Newcastle and the Saudi state is coming under renewed scrutiny.

During the lengthy takeover saga in 2021, the Premier League received legally binding assurances that the Saudi government would have no control over the club’s running, but this has since been questioned.

Newcastle chairman and governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Yasir Al-Rumayyan, a regular visitor to St James’ Park, was described as an “acting government minister” in a US court case against LIV Golf earlier this year .

The Saudi Ministry of Sports is headed by Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud (pictured above). Before the game there was a fan protest against the use of St James’ Park for the friendly match

Former Italy coach Mancini was appointed as the new Saudi coach last month. It was reported in Italy that his contract is worth £21.5 million per year after tax until 2027.

He resigned from the Azzurri on August 13, ending a five-year spell in which Italy won Euro 2020 but missed out on qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

Herve Renard resigned as Saudi Arabia coach in March.

The country is aiming to win its fourth Asian Cup title early next year. The continental championship, Mancini’s first as coach, will be held in Qatar.

Throughout the summer, the PIF made major investments in clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. This allowed them to lure a number of the world’s best players to the kingdom with eye-popping deals.

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