The European Union has approved the $55bn (£43bn) acquisition of Electronic Arts by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, clearing a major hurdle for what would become the largest private leveraged buyout in history. The European Commission said its standard merger review found no competition concerns, meaning few if any national regulatory barriers now stand in the way of the deal's completion. The acquisition has proved highly contentious given Saudi Arabia's growing financial stake in the video games industry, which critics and human rights groups have described as sportswashing linked to the country's human rights record.

EA shareholders approved the takeover in December, and the European Commission's decision follows that vote. The deal also involves Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump and CEO of Affinity Partners, adding to scrutiny of its political dimensions. Video game industry unions have opposed the acquisition too, with the Communications Workers of America objecting last October and subsequently writing to the US Federal Trade Commission to seek help blocking it.