The Premier League may soon regret allowing the takeover, writes Joe McCarthy, while Michael McCarthy says it shows how little power fans have. Michael Herron believes money has rotted the game and Dr Chris Haughton suggests a visit to Saudi Arabia by …
Jailed Saudi aid worker’s sister hits out at Newcastle takeover
Sentence of 20 years for alleged critic of regime was upheld a day after controversial football deal was sealedThe sister of a Saudi aid worker jailed for tweeting criticism of the regime has spoken of her shock and anger after the Saudi-led takeover o…
Newcastle fans speak of suffering but what about actual suffering in Saudi Arabia? | Jonathan Wilson
Supporters sang about getting their club back but it is hard to imagine a way it could be more profoundly taken awayThere used to be a sport over there.Football has never been pure. There have always been the rich looking to improve their reputations b…
Amanda Staveley: ‘Newcastle is a fantastic gem that needs buffing up’
The director who will run the club said she understands the questions on human rights and takes them seriouslyAmanda Staveley has spent sufficient time in Middle Eastern souks to be able to spot a precious stone hiding, unpolished, amid a sea of replic…
Angry Premier League clubs demand emergency meeting on Newcastle deal
Other 19 clubs united in opposition to Newcastle takeoverClubs concerned Premier League’s brand could be damagedAngry clubs have targeted the Premier League with complaints about the Newcastle United takeover and are pushing for an emergency meeting ne…
Player’s view: Newcastle fans deserve change of fortune after long decline | Rob Lee
Former Newcastle midfielder wants focus on the academy and local area and does not expect superstar signings in a hurryThe takeover is all the fans want. They’ve been waiting 12 years to have a change of hands and they’ve been through a lot of rubbish …
The Saudi takeover of Newcastle United is a symptom of England’s political failures | David Goldblatt
We shouldn’t single out football fans: the country has long since made its peace with the power of capital, whatever its originsFootball, no longer merely the national game, is England’s political theatre. The way in which the spasm of fan protest stop…
Saudi takeover of Newcastle leaves human rights to fog on the Tyne | David Conn
Premier League allowing deal shows money and international reputation laundering can trump concerns about the regimeThe great game of football has always been an expression of the country and times in which it is played, so the takeover of Newcastle Un…
‘English football will sell itself to anyone’: human rights groups on Saudi-Newcastle deal
Condemnation of £300m takeover led by group founded by murdered journalist Jamal KhashoggiNewcastle United has sold its name and reputation to a brutal government run by a brutal ruler, the organisation founded by the murdered journalist Jamal Khashogg…
Newcastle’s Saudi takeover will cause faux morality of football to collapse | Barney Ronay
Premier League has become a soft power tool, but is it sensible to sell that capacity to whichever state happens to be passing?Welcome, Mohammed bin Salman, to the billionaire boys club. No need to wipe your feet. Although maybe, on reflection, do wash…