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As a lifelong #NUFC fan whose job at @amnesty includes the link between sport and #humanrights, I thought I’d share a few thoughts about the impending Saudi takeover of my club. Mixing the personal and professional rarely works, but here goes… #NUFCTakeover
First, any fan can tell you that a large part of their soul aches for change at #NUFC. I first went to St James’ Pk when I was 7, grew up going to matches in the Keegan era, & revelled in Sir Bobby. I desperately miss Asprilla v Barcelona, Albert v Man U or Griffin v Juve.
The Ashley years have been grim. It’s not just the relegations, the underinvestment, or hiring Joe Kinnear twice. It’s the treatment of Keegan & Gutierrez. The surrender of hope & joy. Becoming a Sports Direct commodity. The feeling our club is grubby and we don’t mean anything.
So when fans are excited for change, you can’t be surprised. Life is simply better when #NUFC is a joy and not a chore. They don’t feel responsible for human rights abuses by foreign powers, they just want something wonderful to be restored. Anyone can understand that. But…
But every fan should have their eyes open. While Mike Ashley abused our club, what #SaudiArabia plans is much worse - using #NUFC to #sportswash its abysmal human rights record. Our club becomes a PR tool for what @amnesty calls 'the kingdom of cruelty' https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/10/saudi-arabia-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-a-kingdom-of-cruelty/
Yet #NUFC is not just about winning games or trophies, it’s also about *meaning something*. It’s everything Sir Bobby says in this most beautiful of quotes. Pride. Identity. Belonging. Many of us were that small boy gripping their father’s hand at their first game. It's more.
I may cheer if #NUFC wins its first proper trophy since 1969 (I also cheered our Intertoto & Championship ‘trophies’). But seeing it done surrounded by adverts for the Saudi regime, knowing that our victory would really be their victory, would cheapen it massively.
This cartoon by @squires_david puts it brilliantly, but brutally. Iconic images from #NUFC history, captioned with entries from @Amnesty and @HRW reports. Ouch. https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2020/apr/21/david-squires-newcastle-united-potential-saudi-takeover
So what should be done, by whom? Ultimately this is a deal between a rich British man and a foreign power, with football and fans as hostage. The only people who could stop this, realistically, are the Premier League. Yesterday @AmnestyUK wrote to them. https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/uk-premier-league-must-consider-saudi-human-rights-situation-newcastle-united-deal
But the Premier League lacks a human rights policy, its fit and proper person test is weak, and the fact that TV disputes are more likely to be a barrier says a lot. The PL could do a lot worse than banning sovereign wealth funds from owning football clubs https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/22/bein-sports-asks-premier-league-to-block-saudi-newcastle-deal-over-piracy
This is needed. #Sportwashing is not new, and is not going away. Argentina used the ’78 World Cup. Qatar has PSG & the 2022 WC. UAE has Man City. Azerbaijan sponsored Atletico. Even Blyth Spartans had ads from N.Korea. To stop the PL table looking like this,something must be done
What about the fans? Let’s be honest, this is not something fans control, nor can be held responsible for. But we do have a choice. As @felixjakens says, “sportswashing can be countered if interested parties are prepared to break its spell". https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/newcastle-united-saudi-arabia-takeover-latest-staveley-ashley-a9468236.html @MiguelDelaney
How? Im not too sure, but we should look for ways to speak out in forums, the ground or the club shop, whether flying flags for Khashoggi, applauding for imprisoned activists, or buying ad-free strips. Anything that shows we are not mere passengers, but still mean something.
Unrealistic? Maybe, but other clubs like Bayern have done it, and it matters. We could too. And if Asprilla can score a hat-trick against Barcelona on a magical September evening, anything is possible. #NUFCTakeover
This turned into an essay / therapy session. For more considered insight, read pieces from @MiguelDelaney @danielstorey85 @barneyronay @GeorgeCaulkin @RBanerjee23 @NcGeehan and others...
Views are my own, but Im so indoctrinated they may be Amnesty's too... #NUFCTakeover
Views are my own, but Im so indoctrinated they may be Amnesty's too... #NUFCTakeover
