In critiquing their own club’s policy of match-arranging, Supporters Mainz made it clear that they “call on Mainz 05: Take a stand! Read your mission statement! Cancel the game against Newcastle United!” Clearer than a sky empty of clouds, fellas.
Adding context to their full released statement, the fans pointed out that “authoritarian states, large corporations or billionaires are taking over international football in order to assert their interests” and framed their club’s view of the issue by saying that “with the decision to play a friendly match against Newcastle United, Mainz is sending a signal and not a good one… Mainz is actively offering the Saudi regime a stage and thus indirectly recognising it politically.”
Regardless of the fans views neither Mainz or Newcastle plan to cancel the friendly indeed Newcastle have arrived on site as part of their training camp as they gear up for the upcoming Premier League season.