There seems to be a storm brewing at St James Park. Well, not a storm, probably more like a desk fan and a watering can and someone using a camera flash and clapping their hands.
The i have reported that a fan group, NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing, are organising a protest which will take place before the last game heading into the World Cup break, which will be against Chelsea at St James’ Park on November 12th.
A banner is set to be unfurled outside the ground urging fans to educate themselves on the Saudi state. The Chelsea game has been chosen as the last time this fixture was played out was on the day after the Saudi state executed 81 people.
It’s a bit of a weird one this, as I absolutely 100% agree with what the organisation are trying to achieve here, but at the same time, I don’t see what it’s going to change. We can all educate ourselves on the atrocities of Saudi Arabia, it isn’t going to change the ownership of the club or the fact that 50,000 Geordies are going to turn up week in and week out to sing their hearts out. I mean, we despised Mike Ashley and we couldn’t shift him, nobody is going to want change now with how well things are going.
Do You Support NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing?
100%
I get it, but they're wasting their time
Nope
Also, the truth of the matter is, the vast majority of football fans just won’t care. They’re there to go and watch a game of football, to escape the reality of the state of the world for two hours, they don’t want to think about 81 people being executed. I realise that is contradictory to their cause as the point is to get them to care, but you’re not going to get through to them on match day is my point.
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— NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing (@NoSaudiToon) October 25, 2022
While I agree that we all need to be aware of what’s going on in Saudi Arabia before we start waving Saudi flags and putting it on our Twitter bio, the fact remains, we are football fans, everyday people, not experts in geopolitics. And while our Government continues to enjoy the benefits of a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia, a bunch of radgies from Newcastle reading Wikipedia isn’t going to change a thing.
I do highly recommend you follow the @NoSaudiToon Twitter, whether you agree with them or not. They post about the atrocities happening over there and will at least keep you better informed.