No denying that there are moral grounds for objecting to this takeover. But I have a nagging feeling that much of the local outrage might be because it's our 'Friends to the North' who will be the beneficiaries. Had this been a takeover of, say, Southampton would we have seen the same level of outrage? Had it been us that were to be the target of the deal would we see a mass desertion of Fans? I think not to both
Do you think Nufc fans would be so upset with Adam Johnson if he played for Southampton? I cant recall them being outraged by Graham Rix.
I seem to remember there was quite a lot of consternation (both locally and nationally) when we appointed Di Canio because of his right wing leanings. I think there would be a lot more discontent here if we were faced with a Saudi takeover.
People are naturally more affected and outraged if a neighbour is involved in something. That's why you pay more attention if there's a murder in Sunderland rather than Southampton.
It's presumably got to be a crime which has been proven in a court of law and attributed to the individual who is purchasing the club. There's always a work around, people with that much money just don't get their own hands dirty.
Newcastle fans would be the same if it was Sunderland though. All the guys currently revelling in the idea and not concerned about moral issues would have an issue if it were the other way around - it's the nature of the beast. My main view on this is that the boat sailed well over a decade ago. It's clear money is the only driving factor and if the Premiership/FA want to make an example now (and I'm not saying they shouldn't) then questions need to be asked about why they haven't done sooner. That said, what does it actually take to fail the fit and proper persons test? "Mate can you bury that corpse BEFORE the meeting please and wipe the blood of yourself, these chairs are pricey"
Of course not but when the likes of Amnesty International are stepping in to protest it shows there are grounds to condemn it whether you support Sunderland or not. It seems more to me that everyone else is criticising it and we're just joining in.
When you watch the next World Cup in Qatar, take a look at the new Stadia. These were all built by migrant workers and the death toll, according to press reports, is said to have been horrendous. Many died working on the sites but many from disease, contracted in the appalling accommodation provided by the authorities. Forced Labour is still going on according to Amnesty International. Is there a difference? They all ended up 100% dead. An 'Investigative' Reporter makes a nuisance of him/herself and gets murdered. It happens quite a lot, all over the World. Lyra McKee was the latest in a long and honourable line in Ireland last year. It's a risk that goes with the job. And YES they have my total sympathy and respect and appreciation. But so does a labourer in Qatar.
Whilst I agree with what you’re saying, there is a difference. I have 2 brothers who have worked out there for many years and both have nothing good to say about the place or the people. However they knew what to expect and always went back for another contract as the money was good. It was their choice to go there and were always aware that something could happen to them. However you do not expect to be tortured, murdered and dismembered for visiting am embassy to have some paperwork signed.
True but Man City got off pretty lightly, the levels of approbation were less and they were in the process of buying the league and representing England in Europe (https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ter-city-amnesty-international-football-leaks) The only but that gripes at all is that there are some journalists (I can link if people want but i'll need to dig them out) who were morally ambivalent about the prospect of Man Utd being taken over by a Saudi Arabian investment fund (and posted articles about possible spending power only) but are now seemingly appalled that they could be about to buy out NUFC. It's hard not to take that personally!! Overall I think we'd all agree we jst don't want these people involved in owning football at all. Sportswashing is certainly a real thing as far as I'm concerned and a number of Russian, Chinese and Middle East people have indulged in it and will continue to do so. The people who are meant to be investing in us have also got stakes in F1 and boxing (i think anyway!) and the government haven't been asked about that. They should have been.
Part of it is the timing, there's something very distasteful about another group of super rich buyers turning up to throw money around like it's going out of fashion with so many clubs in severe financial trouble because of the pandemic. Doesn't sit well with people and because there's nowt going on in football that and the human rights issues are being focused on more. I'm sure none of it will matter a jot and it'll go through anyway. There is the issue about illegal broadcasting which might throw a spanner in the works but I dunno how serious it is, haven't read up on it.
Aye seems that way the usual idiots are gone but posters who hadn't posted for over 2 years suddenly pops up when Sima gone and is never off the site... Could be one of the other weirdos but they are all back on now as has been an influx of new members all same patter and never off site. Clockstand1 pretending to support us and failing miserably was busted within 2 posts. Sad knackers
I think it will go ahead, the authorities in both countries are corrupt imo and money talks. The long term future is less certain, football is going downhill, and this is just one more step on a long road.
I'm no more upset with the Saudis buying one of our clubs than I am with other people buying Man City, the FA Cup being shafted, FFP safeguarding the elite or the European Cup becoming a league competition. Football used to be a glorious shambles where Ipswich could win the league and Boro could win the Cup. It's now a procession with teams of 11 foreigners, Africans stabbing each other about their favourite PL club, and foreign money being king. It's a typical example of ruining something by making it better. Modern pop music is the same ... ... perfectly produced, perfectly arranged, perfectly presented and absolutely shyte.
When all but a dozen clubs have a hope of winning something you know it's gone wrong. Seeing PL clubs avoiding the cups just to cling onto TV money is demoralising tbh ... ... the bottom half of the table is a dead zone.
PL will look like massive hypocrites if this goes through. Considering they were wanting Saudi Arabia but on a blacklist as they were pirating the sport... First wiff of money and they will just brush it under the stacks of cash and be forgotten about.
