Newcastle United now owned by the PIF | PL receives "legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control NUFC" ;)

Offsideagain

Full Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2014
Messages
1,714
Location
Cheshire
81 people were beheaded in Saudi over the weekend. If Newcastle fans are happy to be owned by a country that is still mostly living in the 11th century, that’s up to them. Regarding Russia and Chelsea, it was made clear way back that Ambramovich had made his fortune by bribing government officials which is corruption in anybody’ language. He is also linked with Putin and his finances according to a Panorama programme last night. We have welcomed him and his money and mates here which is shameful. Almost as shameful as nobody questioning the involvement of the UAE in the indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Yemen for the last seven years along with the Saudis. But then we do sell them lots of arms so the media thinks it’s ok then.
 

SirReginald

New Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2019
Messages
2,295
Supports
Chelsea
81 people were beheaded in Saudi over the weekend. If Newcastle fans are happy to be owned by a country that is still mostly living in the 11th century, that’s up to them. Regarding Russia and Chelsea, it was made clear way back that Ambramovich had made his fortune by bribing government officials which is corruption in anybody’ language. He is also linked with Putin and his finances according to a Panorama programme last night. We have welcomed him and his money and mates here which is shameful. Almost as shameful as nobody questioning the involvement of the UAE in the indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Yemen for the last seven years along with the Saudis. But then we do sell them lots of arms so the media thinks it’s ok then.
Money has always been in the hands of the corrupt. Governments and media have also been influenced by financial backing. Let’s not pretend this is new. The sheer hypocrisy of people directing their views on Chelsea is nauseating. You could probably find dirt on every owner in the league.
 

Fridge chutney

Full Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2016
Messages
8,962
I think you should let it play. To not do so is being complicit in their sports washing. Fcuk it. Let every thread on Newcastle descend into absolute chaos.

I’d be over the moon if, when someone mentions their new golden boy striker has ‘42 goal involvements this year’, someone chirps up with ‘42 is the same number of humans executed without trial by cousins of your board members last year’

Not 100% serious but also hoping it happens.
I know this is tongue in cheek, but i fully agree. City, Chelsea and Newcastle are sportswashing successfully if we prohibit talking about the human rights issues at the heart of the success their owners have bought. "Let football be football" is fine if the club ownership did not build success off the back of human rights abuses.
 

UnrelatedPsuedo

I pity the poor fool who stinks like I do!
Joined
Apr 15, 2015
Messages
10,290
Location
Blitztown
I know this is tongue in cheek, but i fully agree. City, Chelsea and Newcastle are sportswashing successfully if we prohibit talking about the human rights issues at the heart of the success their owners have bought. "Let football be football" is fine if the club ownership did not build success off the back of human rights abuses.
Oh a lot of truth is said in jest.

I wouldn’t moderate comments on Newcastle along political/football lines. That’s the approach that led to Roman/Chelsea.

I’d be completely ok with every Newcastle related thread descending into a debate on human rights.

I wouldn’t be the one to drag it there. Sometimes I’d get sucked in and just appreciate how spellbinding Saint-Maximin can be. But I don’t think it should be moderated.
 

UnrelatedPsuedo

I pity the poor fool who stinks like I do!
Joined
Apr 15, 2015
Messages
10,290
Location
Blitztown
Yes. Constantly.

There's certainly more of a media highlight now because of the Saudi relations to the war in Ukraine.
‘Constantly’ Have they Fcuk. Every now and again without follow up and never aggressively.

City have got off with the lightest of interrogations.
 

Bluelion7

Full Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2021
Messages
1,193
Supports
Chelsea
You are completely missing the point so I am not really sure if it is worth trying to explain but what the hell.

Putin, bad guy with nukes who will potentially launch them at NATO members.
MBS, bad guy with lots of oil who wants to do business with NATO members.

If you seize Newcastle you are going after a sovereign state which is not engaged in conflict with the West or it's allies. Leaving aside the lack of pretext for taking this action you will not achieve anything other than pissing off MBS and the only thing you are likely to accomplish is to push him further towards Russia in retaliation.

Seizing the assets of the oligarchs who support Putin is justified due to the conflict and they have no capacity to strike back at NATO. They might if you squeeze all of them hard enough be able to effect regime change as they and their supporters are within Putin's inner circle with direct access. It is a long shot but it is a legitimate strategy when attempting to avoid the potentially world ending consequences of a full blown military confrontation between Putin and NATO.

For the record I believe we should not have allowed the ownership groups of Newcastle or Manchester City to buy their way into the game in this country and I would stop supporting Manchester United in a second if they were bought out by a similar entity. None of this is relevant though because again the current actions of the Government are not related to any ethical or moral concerns but are part of a far larger strategy enacted by all NATO member states of sanctions and asset seizure designed to isolate and punish Russia to the point where continued aggression on their part becomes untenable.
No, I get where you are coming from. I just think you, like the UK papers I’ve been reading are vastly overestimating the importance of the “oligarchs”. When they pressure them, they are trying to create a situation in which SOMEONE with access takes a shot at the madman. Internal pressure. But they don’t have the resources to affect the conflict much one way or another. It takes GDP level money for a war. The US, for instance, spends near a billion dollars PER F35 raptor. It would be like suggesting sanctioning Bill Gates could stop the US from waging war. It’s not true and Ill informed.
The Saudi State, however IS an ally of Putin right now. Directly. In fact, since China is balking at support, they could arguably be Putins most key ally. We literally can’t do anything about it, but the least we could do is say bug off if they try to buy into even more cultural institutions. In wake of what’s happening with Chelsea, maybe all ownership groups should be looked at closely. On that I agree with you.
 

Sea-Cow

Full Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2015
Messages
1,592
:lol: I wasn't prepared for the level of crazy. Also, that's a helluva film.
It really is. And it was surprisingly sad when he sees the girl in the crowd and remarks on how pretty she is. And the San Saba Songbird is so great.

Thank you for reminding me of this!
 

Pickle85

Full Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2021
Messages
6,590
It really is. And it was surprisingly sad when he sees the girl in the crowd and remarks on how pretty she is. And the San Saba Songbird is so great.

Thank you for reminding me of this!
Yeah that bit with the girl in the crowd at the gallows kinda choked me up too. There are so many brilliant moments in that film. The only tale I don't like is the super depressing 'freak show' one...just because it's bleak af
 

Sea-Cow

Full Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2015
Messages
1,592
Yeah that bit with the girl in the crowd at the gallows kinda choked me up too. There are so many brilliant moments in that film. The only tale I don't like is the super depressing 'freak show' one...just because it's bleak af
My god that is one is depressing. I didn't like the last one on first viewing, but I gave it another a chance and its brilliant as well! I loved them all, but the first is my favorite, followed by the one with the girl and the Indians. Just great all around.

Sorry to everyone else for going off topic.
 

SirReginald

New Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2019
Messages
2,295
Supports
Chelsea
Cowardly. Not my expertise that. Beheadings..
No offense but he doesn’t have to condone anything. The media is pathetic and tiresome. “If you don’t say you’re against it that means you agree with it” is essentially the type of shite they’ve been spouting since Vlad went mad.

I don’t particularly like Eddie Howe but he didn’t do anything wrong. The only cowards are people like you creating/nurturing a bullying Culture.
 

adexkola

Doesn't understand sportswashing.
Joined
Mar 17, 2008
Messages
48,522
Location
The CL is a glorified FA Cup set to music
Supports
orderly disembarking on planes
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...er-league-to-approve-saudi-newcastle-takeover

Boris Johnson’s government worked for months to encourage the Premier League to approve the controversial Saudi Arabia-backed takeover of Newcastle United...

Grimstone became involved in discussions with the then Premier League chairman Gary Hoffman, and Saudi representatives, apparently up to the office of the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, to try to help secure a takeover the government considered to be in the UK’s strategic and economic interests...
What's that you say about "sportswashing"? The UK government engaging in it?

Anyways.
 

matt10000

Full Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2018
Messages
1,332
Location
Salford UK
Money has always been in the hands of the corrupt. Governments and media have also been influenced by financial backing. Let’s not pretend this is new. The sheer hypocrisy of people directing their views on Chelsea is nauseating. You could probably find dirt on every owner in the league.
You could say the same if Hitler owned Chelsea…….
 

any1ared

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Messages
6
Like I said before- IF ONLY we were whiter than white - so let’s not kid ourselves, if we were owned by them it wouldn’t bother us in the slightest. Let’s stop bleating about the success of others and get our own sorry house in order………
 

tomaldinho1

Full Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2015
Messages
17,894
Like I said before- IF ONLY we were whiter than white - so let’s not kid ourselves, if we were owned by them it wouldn’t bother us in the slightest. Let’s stop bleating about the success of others and get our own sorry house in order………
Think you’ll find a large % of this forum would stop following the club if we were owned by the Saudis.
 

Kaushal

New Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2022
Messages
364
Like I said before- IF ONLY we were whiter than white - so let’s not kid ourselves, if we were owned by them it wouldn’t bother us in the slightest. Let’s stop bleating about the success of others and get our own sorry house in order………
Speak for yourself. It may not matter to you one bit as it’s self evident from your post but it matters to a lot of people. It’s sad that some people just support united as long as it’s brings success regardless of the cost of that success even if it comes from a tyrannical human rights abusing regime like the saudis. I hope all united fans understand the ethos of our club abit more and know what our values are and what the club stands for. There is a limit to everything mate and a line nobody should cross.
 
Last edited:

Berbasbullet

Too Boring For A Funny Tagline
Joined
Nov 3, 2011
Messages
20,307
Like I said before- IF ONLY we were whiter than white - so let’s not kid ourselves, if we were owned by them it wouldn’t bother us in the slightest. Let’s stop bleating about the success of others and get our own sorry house in order………
Don't project your feelings onto us. If we were owned by them that'd probably be it for a lot of us.
 

yumtum

DUX' bumchum
Joined
May 10, 2009
Messages
7,132
Location
Wales
Like I said before- IF ONLY we were whiter than white - so let’s not kid ourselves, if we were owned by them it wouldn’t bother us in the slightest. Let’s stop bleating about the success of others and get our own sorry house in order………
Being purchased by an oppressive regime is now considered successful?

I mean, I agree about getting our act together as a club but you should stop assuming everyone would bend over for owners like that, it's genuinely disgusting.

Also, most United fans want an owner who doesn't pump money into the club, just allow us to spend what we earn.
 

RoyH1

Full Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
6,012
Location
DKNY
Don't project your feelings onto us. If we were owned by them that'd probably be it for a lot of us.
Absolutely. The day we are owned by a state fund, specially from a state such as that one, is the day I walk away from this
 

stevoc

Full Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
20,562
This sounds very reassuring.

"legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control NUFC"
Oh wait, bugger.

Boris Johnson’s government worked for months to encourage the Premier League to approve the controversial Saudi Arabia-backed takeover of Newcastle United...

Grimstone became involved in discussions with the then Premier League chairman Gary Hoffman, and Saudi representatives, apparently up to the office of the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, to try to help secure a takeover the government considered to be in the UK’s strategic and economic interests...
:lol:

So what other favourable outcomes and bent rules can Newcastle get from the UK Government if MBS picks up the phone, calls Boris and threatens to buy weapons from someone else?

Absolute farce, football as a competitive sport will be done in the very near future.
 

stevoc

Full Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
20,562
Like I said before- IF ONLY we were whiter than white - so let’s not kid ourselves, if we were owned by them it wouldn’t bother us in the slightest. Let’s stop bleating about the success of others and get our own sorry house in order………
Joined right around the time the Newcastle takeover was getting pushed through.

Only 5 posts all related to the Newcastle takeover.

any1abotaccount?
 

Hughie77

Full Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2017
Messages
4,164
They can spend like there no tomorrow, as FFP is a joke. Only the clubs who generate there own money are supposed to abide by the rules.
CITY have taken them and CAS for a ride, what's the bet Newcastle will do the same or FFP will be more diligent with them as CITY have already got away with it.

I said when there ban was overturned it was the day football died. Countries with astronomical wealth have ruined football.
How many more clubs are we going to see going to the wall, and these people, along with the government need to do something. Are CITY a club people appreciate? Are they a club that's steeped in history? Now after the Arabs there making History for what reasons.

Newcastle are now going to do the same, other clubs and fans of other clubs will have to just except it.

In next 5 years top 2 in premier City - Newcastle.. the others will have to just pick up the scraps, is this the Premier league perceived when it was introduced 30 yrs ago.
 

any1ared

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Messages
6
I think we need to check who exactly owns and contributes (share holders) to our club - BEFORE throwing stones. Every club has its skeletons…….I think we’ll find that a significant one of ours is a Saudi owned oil company.let’s get our own house sorted rather than moaning about the success of others. Some clubs were built in the backs of the slave trade- are we suggesting they get expelled too?!
 

SirScholes

Full Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2014
Messages
6,200
I think we need to check who exactly owns and contributes (share holders) to our club - BEFORE throwing stones. Every club has its skeletons…….I think we’ll find that a significant one of ours is a Saudi owned oil company.let’s get our own house sorted rather than moaning about the success of others. Some clubs were built in the backs of the slave trade- are we suggesting they get expelled too?!
Not exactly a skeleton like, it’s fairly recent
 

caid

Full Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2014
Messages
8,339
Location
Dublin
I think we need to check who exactly owns and contributes (share holders) to our club - BEFORE throwing stones. Every club has its skeletons…….I think we’ll find that a significant one of ours is a Saudi owned oil company.let’s get our own house sorted rather than moaning about the success of others. Some clubs were built in the backs of the slave trade- are we suggesting they get expelled too?!
I haven't murdered any journalists recently. I feel pretty comfortable throwing stones.
 

Sleigh

Full Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2019
Messages
365
Supports
Leicester City
The Premier League is a rich persons game.

They either need to level it off, with salary caps etc, so it’s a level playing field, or just scrap the idea of FFP altogether and let it be a free for all.

In its current guise, FFP doesn’t work, so what’s the point?

No multi billionaire gets that amount of wealth, without upsetting someone along the way.
 

Karel Podolsky

Full Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Messages
1,422
Location
Borneo Jungle
Supports
Ex Laziale
The Premier League is a rich persons game.

They either need to level it off, with salary caps etc, so it’s a level playing field, or just scrap the idea of FFP altogether and let it be a free for all.

In its current guise, FFP doesn’t work, so what’s the point?

No multi billionaire gets that amount of wealth, without upsetting someone along the way.
Feels like all of your suggestions don't matter much in EPL

Winners of EPL in the last 10 years: Manchester United, Chelsea, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City.

Bayern Munich won all 10 without violating FFP at all.

Montpellier, AS Monaco, Lille have managed to win Ligue 1 without spending comparable to PSG's. while in EPL, United , Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool (Tottenham, Everton , Aston Villa, Leicester,/etc) are able to spend big.
 

padzilla

Hipster
Joined
Oct 31, 2005
Messages
3,421
So there were legally binding assurances that the Saudi government is not involved in the running of Newcastle - which will be run by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

That's a weird name for an entity not run by its government.

Maybe I will check out its website then.

The name of the website is https://www.pif.gov.sa

What could 'gov' stand for in the website?
 
Last edited: