"Newcastle United takeover fears just noise" - Ken Costa

[Alberts__Lob]

Worth a read:

https://www.theguardian.com/football...uk-saudi-envoy

“It’s a competitive world,” he told an interviewer from Arab News. “You see a strong player coming into your market, what do you want to do? You want to create noise. A lot of it is noise, a lot of it is trying to find reasons why [the takeover] couldn’t happen, but it has happened.”

I think he's spot on about a strong player (us) coming into the market and other clubs and their fans not liking it. Surely the takeover has put a spotlight on Saudi Arabia's human rights problems though whereas before very few people were even aware or cared about it?

[Zippity]

Yep, he's absolutely bang on about it being just 'noise'

Where were these concerns when Sheff Utd were bought, or Man City (different country, similar human rights), or the boxing and F1 were trumpeting their links with the Saudis?

Hypocritical noise driven bt jealousy and fear of being moved further down the pecking order.

Incidentally, Amnesty I don't have a problem with at all as they've been consistent-and genuine-on this.

[Jammy89]

Another one is hte womens golf taking place there now - been nothing about how it shouldn't be etc.

Also, as said by others now they, the saudis, are right in public eye in a way they haven't been before. It might actually facilitate change better than continuing condemnation.