LIV Golf’s Yasir Al-Rumayyan tells Sen. Blumenthal to kick rocks

The governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund (PIF), Yasir Al-Rumayyan, has as soon as once more declined to testify earlier than the U.S. Senate Everlasting Subcommittee on Investigations. This time, he made it very clear he has no intention to take action.

Al-Rumayyan had beforehand been requested by Senator Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to testify alongside LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman. Each of them failed to seem again on July 11, citing scheduling conflicts.

Following that incidence, Sen. Blumenthal had requested the Saudi governor to testify on September thirteenth or “suggest various dates by Aug. 18.”

That prompted this response.

Al-Rumayyan’s attorneys despatched a letter dated August 4th to Sen. Blumenthal, making a authorized argument as to why he is not going to testify.

The letter cited considerations concerning “sovereignty and worldwide comity” and stated the governor was an “inappropriate witness,” in keeping with the Golf Channel.

Apparently, the PIF tried to cover behind the identical sovereignty points in an antitrust case in California. Two district court docket judges tossed dismissed the try although.

Sen. Blumenthal has since responded.

“The court docket primarily based this conclusion, partially, on the truth that U.S. legislation exempts sure industrial exercise from sovereign immunity. The court docket additionally said that ‘typical investor actions’ couldn’t be moderately thought of confidential info that may adversely have an effect on Saudi Arabia, and that any sovereign issues have been diminished by ‘PIF’s intent’ to learn from the USA market,’” Sen. Blumenthal wrote in his response to Al-Rumayyan’s claims.

Primarily, if Saudi Arabia stands to learn financially from the cope with the PGA Tour, they can’t disguise behind sovereignty claims.

The senator from Connecticut went one step additional, alluding to future fireplace.

“If you happen to proceed to refuse to conform voluntarily the subcommittee can be pressured to contemplate different authorized strategies to compel PIF’s compliance,” the letter to Al-Rumayyan learn.

The PGA Tour and the Saudi PIF agreed upon a framework deal in June to create a for-profit group that mixes the DP World Tour and LIV Golf. That prompted the U.S. Congress to open an investigation amidst considerations of sports activities washing from Saudi Arabia.

This story continues to take twists and turns and solely time will inform if the cope with ever materialize.

Kendall Capps is the Senior Editor/Web site Supervisor for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. For extra golf protection, you should definitely try @_PlayingThrough.