Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Black and white?
» Fans’ joy at £305m Saudi Toon takeover But regime’s appalling rights record slammed
JUBILANT Newcastle United fans are toasting a £305million Saudi takeover of the club – despite the Middle East nation’s dreadful human rights record.
Thousands celebrated at the St James’ Park stadium after the consortium passed the Premier League’s test as fit and proper directors.
United are now owned by world football’s richest backers. They are worth hundreds of billions of pounds.
Retired council worker Alan Mole, 67, said: “This will be big for the city as well as the club. It is unbelievable.”
The vast majority of supporters spoke of their joy at Mike Ashley’s era as the owner coming to an end. The billionaireboss of Sports Direct is blamed for the club underachieving during his 14 years at United’s helm.
Fans – some with tea towels on their heads – let off flares, sang songs and waved black and white flags outside the club’s ground. Holly Blades, 16, said she is “delighted”, adding: “There is hope for the future.”
Greg Tomlinson, chairman of the Newcastle United Supporters Trust, said: “Over 95% of our members are in favour of this takeover going ahead.
“No doubt there are some issues in terms of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record but fans have no say in who buys their club. They will be judged on how they are as our owners.”
University student Callum Smith, 20, said it marks the end of the “doom and gloom” under Mr Ashley.
He added: “You cannot hold every single Geordie responsible for the actions of the Saudi government.
“But we were so desperate, we would have accepted Barry from down the road.” The deal has been condemned by human rights groups such as Amnesty International UK.
Its chief Sacha Deshmukh said: “[It is] a clear attempt by Saudi authorities to sportswash their appalling human rights record with the glamour of topflight football. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, government critics... [and] women’s rights campaigners [are] harassed and jailed, often after blatantly unfair trials.”
Outrages include journalist Jamal Khashoggi, 59, a critic of the regime, being assassinated by Saudi government agents in 2018.
Newcastle fan David Osborne, 70, said: “I am not happy about their human rights record. I saw the wife of the journalist who was killed... and she does not want them here. We want good honest people in charge. But we also need the money.”
The deal was confirmed in a Premier League statement at 5.18pm after hours of tense talks in the city.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund, the country’s sovereign wealth fund
overseen by Mohammed bin Salman, is set to own an 80% stake in the club.
Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners will have 10%, as will property developers Simon and David Reuben. The main obstacle to the deal was overcome this week. When it came to passing the owners’ and directors’ test, the Premier League questioned whether the PIF is effectively the Saudi state.
The league has received written assurances that the state will avoid interfering with the club’s running.
We want honest people. We also need the money FAN DAVID OSBORNE ON THE BIG TAKEOVER