Correct....and,unlike the Russians,the Saudis and their coalition have received support from both the UK and USA,in the form of equipment,advisors and intelligence during their military action against Yemen. Why? Because the rebels in Yemen are backed by Iran,and the Sunnis and the Western powers do not want Iran to have an influence via Yemen in the Arabian peninsula. There is absolutely zero chance of any Western Govt.comparing Yemen to Ukraine.
Yep. Not to forget of course, the utterly visceral hatred which the Sunni and Shia have for each other. I've been close to this, and it is total and unlike anything we know of in the West.
As has been said here and elsewhere, Howe has up to now had a reputation as a free and open speaker. He knew what he was getting into, and that the questions would come, and keep coming. They won't go away. They will come and go and come back again all the more intense, as more journos will have a go at this easy target. Saudi Arabia, particularly since it's huge regression under Bin Salman will not be changing , though prior to this odious man becoming Crown Prince, Saudi had been making small steps toward common humanity. They are all reversed and the country is flying backwards in time, despite it's money Any forward thinking player or manager might be thinking that a bit less money elsewhere, along with a great deal less hassle might be the way to go.
Think it's wishful thinking mate. These players and managers will go where the money takes them. As I've said on here before, I don't think the Western powers will remotely link the situation in Yemen to that in Ukraine. It's just not in their interests.
Saudi and the west are, generally speaking, allies. The fact that anyone thinks that the UK is going to sanction an ally is weird. It would require a huge shift in policy. You are correct though. People will follow the money. In the end, we all would. I have left various jobs for more money (although my need is vastly greater than theirs!)
Well in all honesty I couldn't give a flying feck what they do! Certainly the economic ties are such that political disapproval will never be heard much. Owning a football club has nothing to do with money though; it's all make up on an ugly face. But journalists will still probe, they'll still make life uncomfortable for some players and managers joining . Some won't be arsed, some will be too dense to see a problem. But some will think twice once they start to see the odd player squirm under some light questioning. And that's coming, as it's an easy story, and the facts are not disputed.
Compared the death penalty in the USA with the executions in Saudi. Couldn't believe what I was hearing. Marco said "I think it's the process that's the problem" then the fella went on about beheadings compared to lethal injections! Marco had to say "no, I mean the process of how the people get into that position in the first place" I.e. no trial/human rights in Saudi.
Well we think so sometimes I suppose ! But believe me, from what I've been around, and this was some time ago and I understand it's worse now, the hatred between Sunni and Shia is permanent, bone deep and impossible to resolve, as it goes back to the very roots of Islam.
Oh yes. Howe has always been a look at me patter merchant. " Cat got your tongue?" As my mam used to say to me when I was a kid, to my permanent bewilderment!
It's all quite sad tbh. For over forty years I've had some great banter with Mag relatives from the Chopwell area. We've avoided touchy subjects like child molesting coaches, AJ and Keegan's layby habits, but the banter has virtually finished because Newcastle is now a different club and decades of history have been thrown away. It's like a massive line has been drawn and everything is either pre-Saudis or post-Saudis. A similar thing has happened with Man City and Chelsea whereas Liverpool and Man Utd are regarded in a different light. Whatever Newcastle win it will never compare to the FA Cup win of 1955 and their supporters know it despite how much they'll try to ignore it. That famous victory was celebrated throughout the NE, not just Newcastle, and the streets were lined with thousands of proud Geordies. Any trophy that's bought with blood money will just be a dirty repetition of those taken back to Stamford Bridge.
Im not sure alot of them do. Talking about 'sportwashing', I think many of their supporters are lying neck deep in a bubble bath, listening to soothing music, lights dimmed, with scented candles strategically placed around the room. I would have no problem with supporters wrestling a bit with their conscience, but accepting their situation for what it is. I fully understand that for alot of people it is nigh on impossible to stop supporting your football club, no matter who owns them. But to have supporters dressing up in Saudi garb, waving imaginary wads of cash around, 'getting our club back?'. Its vomit inducing. I'm just grateful that I am old enough to appreciate the game as it was before Sky and society created the monster that it is today. I have a sympathy for supporters who only know of the modern mess of a game that it is now. Newcastle in the Keegan/John Hall days, local legend, local businessman, carnival football? It was gut wrenching as a Sunderland fan. Any success/entertainment that they may generate now under Saudi ownership? Meh. The rivalry? It'll never fully be extinguished, but it will never be the same again. In everyway we are poles apart. We just have to get on with things, tin bath, sponge, in front of coal fire. That'll do me!
Completely agree mate, really is sad & to be honest they are showing the whole north east up, the whataboutary is unreal, we cant help who owns us blar blar.....hang on lets backtrack just a little they shouted at shops, took trips to parliament because a bloke offers zero hour contracts, petitioned the PL & got am MP involved because the murders were initially blocked buying them....so actually the thick fxcks influenced this dictatorship as best they could owning the club. such high morals to campaign against zero hour contracts.....yet not even a sniff at campaigns against the horrific goings on by their owners....unreal even their LGBT group rolled over to them, they prefer correspondence with them....im quite sure a few of these poor homosexuals tried correspondence but that obviously ended hitting the tarmac after being tossed off a building. safc have problems, we need rid of the 2 chancers so KLD can move us forward, its not great were still down here....HOWEVER offer us all the riches in the workd for selling our souls & giving up am morals a normal human being has & its a NO THANKS for me. As the title says embarrassing.....they would be campaigning for Putins war machine if he had bought them, Russia are committing war crimes in Ukraine, Saudi are commiting war crimes in the Yemen....its a joke they hekd up Ukraine flags.....utter utter scum. Chelsea fans have showed themselves up of late, which is disgusting, all knew Roman was dodgy, its still a little unclear if he supports this war, understand he has left Moscow & in Turkey, not saying he shouldnt be sanctioned just unknown on this thoughts & hes not the one ordering the bombing....either way its accepted he no should no longer, maybe never should have had involvement in football....yet the mags owners are the ones ordering the bombings, beheadings & horrific human rights abuse....right from the start (before) owning them yet expect everyone to turn a blind eye, mags owners are war criminals, Roman maybe a lot of things but hes not a war criminal yet hes sanctioned.....one rule for one....one rule for another if yer can strike a oil or trade deal....kettle frying pan!!!!
Newcastle supporters are now exuded from any organised pre-match minutes of applause/silence. Nor can they join in with spontaneous demonstrations of support for anyone who's suffered human rights abuse or whatever. Almost every possible atrocity is perpetrated by their owners. No matter which group you fall into you're on their hitlist ... ... non-Muslim, homosexual, journalist, Christian, woman, etc etc etc. No matter who you are they have it in the culture, and laws, a reason to hate you.
