Saudi Ownership

[Titchfieldbaggie]

Following the current events at Newcastle, I wondered what the general consensus would be with our fans, if Lai sold out to them? Would you take the gold on offer, or would you look deeper at their actions in the world of late?

[WBA123]

Following the current events at Newcastle, I wondered what the general consensus would be with our fans, if Lai sold out to them? Would you take the gold on offer, or would you look deeper at their actions in the world of late?

Its a good question.

I noticed earlier a Brighton 1st team player was arrested for ***ual Assault. How would we feel if that was one of our players?

I guess, from my perspective, it all comes down to reform and remorse. If the Saudi's are improving their human rights record, if the Brighton player was genuinely full of remorse for his actions then I could get by with it.

If that wasn't happening, I'm not sure I would be too happy.

We shouldn't be throwing stones though - the Chinese are committing some terrible human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims in that region. Although I guess you could argue Lai has (presumably) very little to do with that.

[mickd1961]

I’d take ownership by Mike Ashley over Lai!

I hope Newcastle get great owners and kick the a r s e s of the big 5.

Without doubt the best fans in the country in my opinion and they deserve some success.

Lovely people as well the Geordies.

[baggieal]

I’d take ownership by Mike Ashley over Lai!

I hope Newcastle get great owners and kick the a r s e s of the big 5.

Without doubt the best fans in the country in my opinion and they deserve some success.

Lovely people as well the Geordies.

Totally agree! Geordies most friendly people in the UK and always welcomed there when we have played!

[Omegstrat6]

Personally, I agree with the proposals put forward by Amnesty to better vet potential owners. We are all aware that the top clubs are only where they are because of how much money they have in comparison to others. We are also aware that many of the ultra rich don't get to be or stay that way without levels of corruption/ exploitation of tax loop holes etc etc. (Doubt many of us are really surprised by anything in the Pandora paper leaks). It would not bother me which nationality a new wealthy owner was as long as they were :1) vetted to ensure they were not complicit in any human rights issues 2) vetted to ensure they were not involved in any financial improprieties and 3) they genuinely cared about the club and invested properly in it! ....Think I might be asking for a bit too much though🙄

[Omegstrat6]

I’d take ownership by Mike Ashley over Lai!

I hope Newcastle get great owners and kick the a r s e s of the big 5.

Without doubt the best fans in the country in my opinion and they deserve some success.

Lovely people as well the Geordies.

Agree-Newcastle have a massive fan base and deserve much better. Tbh, I can believe the stories about the other top clubs being worried about another potential threat and trying to put some spokes in the wheel to stop Newcastle competing financially with them. Hope it works out for them

[Barrera]

What I can’t understand is why the deal was thrown out last time because of Saudi Gov backing. Yet the “vehicle” being used for the takeover this time is PIF which is the Investment arm of the Saudi Gov. To say that the Saudi Gov have no influence over PIF is absolute b******.

The real reason it didn’t go ahead last time was due to FIFA blocking Saudi because of the TV rights spat between Qatar and Saudi (Saudi broadcast the last two World Cups free under the broadcaster BEOUT Sports - in blatant disregard to Qatar’s official broadcaster BEIN Sports .... so FIFA lost money on TV rights .....you couldn’t make it up). Now Saudi and Qatar have made a rapprochement in relations ... it has freed up the FIFA blocker as Saudi has now also settled with Qatar/BEIN etc.

Mind I don’t see this being any different to foreign owners at City, Chelsea, Paris SG and the rest. Good luck to Newcastle. Would take PIF/Saudi over our charlatan owner any day of the week.

Seem to recall there was a previous thread on Amanda Stavely .... which got stopped because she is very litigious to criticism ...

[kettering_baggie]

I remember reading some other historical stuff about Amanda Staveley; a very nice lady by all accounts………….!!!!

[stripes39]

Saudi as we know has an appalling human rights record. Amnesty International says that the regimes treatment of migrant workers is as close to modern slavery as it gets; withholding passports, terrible crowded accommodation with poor sanitation, poor pay for enforced long hours etc. I wonder if the Newcastle players will continue to take the knee in support of BLM?

[WBA1955]

Always liked the Geordies. Good people.
As for rich owners it depends on their ambitions. Unfortunately we have the tightest billionaire in the world running us, but I blame Peace for selling us to him in the first place after telling us he would only sell to someone who would move the club forward.
Thing is though, with so many rich owners running clubs it will be the norm.
Chelsea and Manchester City got the full benefit and for a short time so did Blackburn Rovers and Wolves. But now money alone won't guarantee success and some clubs will spend millions for no return.
Having said that I would be happy to see Newcastle break the monopoly, they had a worse owner than Peace and that's saying something.