Many people, and especially rival fans seem to have extremely heated views around the relationship between Newcastle United and the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia and its funding of the Toon through its investment vehicle the PIF (Princes Investment Fund).
Outside of the Newcastle United fanatics bubble, it seems to draw hatred and jealous vitriol not mentioned at all when both Manchester City or Sheffield United were bought?
Should we embrace the Saudi Connection
YES- Sports and politics shouldn't mix
NO- This is Sports-washing
This lack of parity was recently picked up in a fascinating article by Chris Waugh in the Athletic
Newcastle United and Saudi Arabia.-Just seeing those two names together will evoke strong emotions among many.
For those people outside of the Newcastle United bubble, it will almost certainly vex you.
Should we embrace the Saudi Connection
YES- Sports and politics shouldn't mix
NO- This is Sports-washing
And for those inside of it, you may feel frustrated that this connection continues to be discussed, you may feel shame that it exists, you may feel pride in what has been achieved in the eight months post-Mike Ashley, you may feel confused and conflicted, and you may feel as if your club is singled out for heavier scrutiny than others.
The whole debate surrounding Newcastle’s identity and their ultimate majority owners, Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), may be black and white to those who do not live it every day — “blatant sportswashing, no caveats” — but it is nuanced to those who have loved the club for years and will do so for years to come.
The announcement of a sleeve-sponsorship deal with noon.com, a shopping website part-owned by PIF, and more notably, the release of Newcastle’s white and green third kit for the 2022-23 season, which has proven controversial because it bears a striking resemblance to the Saudi national home kit and shares the colours of that nation’s flag, has only brought this sharply back into focus.
It is evident through the current, and likely further investment that the Saudi PIF intends to stay and make the Toon a profitable and successful enterprise. As Toon fans are we content to be associated with nay owned by what our rival fans call a sports washing and maniacal regime or do we take the stance politics and football are like oil and water and should never be mixed.
What’s your thoughts…. please comment below all vote in the poll.
Up Next………….Toon Tracking Star
Then can hide behind their ‘heated’ views and made up ‘disgust’ when in reality it is simply jealousy and bitterness. Everyone has become human rights ambassadors over night but wouldn’t complain one little bit if it was their club.
They can hide behind their ‘heated’ views and made up ‘disgust’ when in reality it is simply jealousy and bitterness. Everyone has become human rights ambassadors over night but wouldn’t complain one little bit if it was their club.