‘STAND TALL FOR YOUR CITY’
Fiancee of murdered journalist urges fans to ‘slam shut the door’ on takeover deal
THE fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi has pleaded with Newcastle United fans to “protect their beloved club” from a proposed takeover by Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
Hatice Cengiz has written an open letter to supporters urging them to “stand tall together for the game, your club, your city and your country” and “slam shut the door on this offensive deal”.
Ms Cengiz, who was due to marry Mr Khashoggi days after he was killed inside a Saudi Arabian consulate, said the prince and those around him “are making this move not to help you and not with your best interests in mind but solely to serve themselves”.
She said although she understood the temptation to “get out of the dire situation which has crippled your club”, the “dark and ominous cloud” of the assassination “should not be the legacy and destiny of Newcastle Football Club”.
In October 2018, Mr Khashoggi, a journalist who had criticised Saudi Arabia’s ruling family, was lured to the consulate in Turkey, murdered and most likely dismembered before his remains were smuggled out of the country. Saudi Arabia’s rulers stand accused of orchestrating the brutal assassination and the associated cover-up.
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman – who is behind an advanced bid to purchase Newcastle United – denies involvement. The proposed takeover of the Magpies is now understood to be in the hands of the Premier League and fans are expecting an announcement soon. However, Ms Cengiz has made a last-ditch appeal to for supporters to speak out against the deal.
She wrote: “I know many of you are tempted by his offer to get out of the dire situation which has crippled your club for so many years.
“However, the Crown Prince is accused of ordering Jamal’s murder.
“All credible investigations have shown his responsibility.
“He has not been put on trial in his own country as he controls it with an iron fist.
“My plea to you is to think whether accepting Mohammed bin Salman’s offer is really the right way out of the despair for your club and city.
“How can it be when your club will be controlled by someone who should be tried for murder, as we would rightly expect for anyone accused of killing a loved one!
“We should also never forget Jamal’s murder is among many atrocities ordered by the Crown Prince and his inner circle.
“It is widely reported they have imprisoned and tortured several opponents and women’s rights campaigners, killed and maimed countless civilians in the Yemen war and even persecuted the Crown Prince’s own family members.”
She went on to say: “Please consider where this takeover could leave you in the months and years ahead as a club which could become a ‘home’ for those accused of murder and torture and forever have to compete for football glory under that dark and ominous cloud.
“As I am sure we can all agree, that should not be the legacy and destiny of Newcastle Football Club.”
“You as the loyal fans do have a big say in this.
“I implore you all to unite to protect your beloved club and city from the Crown Prince and those around him. They are making this move not to help you and not with your best interests in mind but solely to serve themselves. “Their hearts will not genuinely be in the club which means everything to you.
“I urge you to send this message loud and clear to the Premier League, to your club’s management, to your city’s leaders and to the world. “Your voice will be so very powerful.
“We should not let the beautiful game of football be shamed by those who are not passionate for it and who only seek to use it to hide their shocking deeds.
“Now is the moment to stand tall together for the game, your club, your city and your country in order to slam shut the door on this offensive deal. It is not a lifeline for your club but rather the worst possible outcome for all of us decent and caring people.”
They are making this move not to help you and not with your best interests in mind, but solely to serve themselves