Arabian blights

NEWCASTLE United have shown their backing for footballer Josh Cavallo, who came out as gay this week.

“A powerful and inspirational message, Football is for everyone,” the club tweeted, and keeper Karl Darlow also supported the 21-year-old, who plays for Adelaide United in Australia.

It was important advocacy for equality by Darlow (above), Newcastle, and their media team, who have a track record of backing progressive causes.

But it also raises awkward questions for the club’s new Saudi Arabian owners, the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi and there is a long list of citizens who have been punished.

A gay man, Suhail Al-jameel, is locked up for posting a shirtless photo on Snapchat two years ago.

Even those who support gays on social media have been punished.

A blogger, Mohamad al Bokari, is reported to have been jailed for 10 months, fined and given a deportation order for supporting same-sex relationships.

If Darlow and Newcastle United’s media team had posted their tweets in Saudi Arabia, they may well be facing jail. So how does PIF chairman and Saudi ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – plus the six government ministers on the PIF board – feel about the backing of the LGBT community by their new football investment?

When I put this issue to director Amanda Staveley on takeover day, she insisted there was separation between the club’s activities and the state of Saudi Arabia.

She pledged to support the Rainbow Laces campaign.

But will this antagonise the Saudi pay-masters who are the real decision-makers at St James’ Park?

There are serious questions being raised by the Saudi takeover. It’s about far more than signing a new centre-forward.