Like many NUFC supporters I have spoken to, I have mixed feelings about the takeover of Newcastle United.

However, I was surprised at the lack of insight and double standards displayed by many journalists, politicians and football experts when they commented on this takeover.

In fact, the most interesting and illuminating articles I have read about the Newcastle United takeover have been either on The Mag or in foreign media.

I am referring in particular to the article by Alexander St Leger in The Mag (read HERE) on one of the first examples of sports washing in the Premier League, in 2003, when Putin “encouraged” Abramovich to buy Chelsea to improve the ‘picture. from Russia to the west. In addition, the article by James Drape-Comyn (read HERE) on the motivation behind the Saudi investment in Newcastle and the economic and political situation in Saudi Arabia.

There was also an article on the Forbes website that questioned why this deal was under such scrutiny as money from individuals and organizations linked to repressive regimes poured into the coffers of various Premiership clubs for at least the past two decades.

After the takeover of Newcastle United, a NUFC fan was interviewed on the BBC and the interviewer told him that from now on there would be an asterisk against anything Newcastle United would achieve in the future, because it was done with Saudi money. As the BBC is now interested in the ethics of football ownership, can we expect them to say that the achievements of Chelsea or Wolves, or any of the other clubs whose owners have links with repressive regimes, should be questioned and have an asterisk placed against them.

And just as Alan Shearer was asked about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, can we expect Gary Neville to be asked the same question, as there is also Saudi money invested in Manchester United.

Will Lee Dixon be invited to comment on the human rights situation in Rwanda and the Emirates as they sponsor Arsenal and will Jamie Carragher be invited to comment on the repression of Uyghurs and the repressive nature of the regime? Communist, given that a Chinese state-run The company is one of the sponsors of Liverpool.

I also look forward to Frank Lampard being asked about Abramovich’s close ties to a Russian government that has committed human rights abuses, waged wars in Syria and Ukraine, murdered its political opponents both in country and abroad and has been implicated in the murders of British citizens, including the two Newcastle United supporters whose plane was shot down over Ukraine.

However, some politicians did not believe the BBC’s coverage of the Newcastle United takeover was critical enough. There were a few MPs on the select committee dealing with sporting issues who strongly criticized the BBC’s coverage of the takeover in general and Newcastle fans in particular. What I would like to ask these MPs is whether you or your political parties have ever opposed Saudi investment or trade with Saudi Arabia in the areas you represent, or conversely have you – you really welcomed Saudi trade and investment? I would also like to know if they have also opposed the investments of other repressive regimes like China?

I agree with commentators who say we all need to be aware of the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, but this review can’t just apply to Newcastle United fans, it needs to apply. to all football and to society in general. Unfortunately, when Newcastle United fans made this point, they were accused of ‘what’s the matter’ which just seems like a way to end this debate.

However, I feel like there has been a lot of hypocrisy with some commentators taking the lead.

What about Graeme Souness? His criticism of the Saudi takeover of Newcastle United is undermined by the fact that he is being paid by Qataris who have also been accused of human rights abuses.

Finally, we have Man United’s blog The Stretty News.

First, someone by the name of Dale O’Donnell criticized the Saudi investment in Newcastle United, until someone helpfully pointed out to him that the Saudis have been investing money in Man United for over 13 years. years.

He went on to criticize the way Steve Bruce had been treated by Newcastle fans.

If a group of fans is likely to get on their manager’s back, it’s the Man Utd fans. I still remember being in a pub towards the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s time at Man Utd and their fans in the pub inflicted dog abuse on him because Man Utd only drew with Newcastle. According to the assembled Man Utd fans, he didn’t know what he was doing, he had passed him and he should have been replaced years ago.

This is despite the fact that Alex Ferguson was their most successful manager of all time and also the most trophy-laden manager the Premiership has ever seen. I believe that at the time, Man Utd was also the defending champion.