Newcastle United fans say they will raise issues about Saudi Arabia's - 255 Updates

Newcastle United fans say they will raise issues about Saudi Arabia's human rights violations even if they support a possible takeover of the club.

The country's public investment fund is expected to finance 80% of its £ 300m acquisition, which is understood to be close to completion.

But at an online forum attended by more than 2,000 fans, Alex Hurst, President of Newcastle United Anesthes Trust (NUST), said: "We are there to be important friends of the club, and hold them accountable."

Will the Saudis pass the Premier League test?
Engaged Khashoggi: Saudi Newcastle acquisition banned
Human rights groups and the murdered orator of the murdered journalist, Jamal Khashoggi Hatice Cengiz, opposed the takeover.

The debate on this issue has been framed by overwhelming supporters' desire to get rid of the current owner Mike Ashley, who was in charge of the club 13 years ago.

A poll published last week by NUST, which has more than 10,000 members, showed that 96.7% of fans said they supported the acquisition.

But during the two-hour discussion, in which the statement of Khashoggi's fiancée was read and contributions from fans and Amnesty International read, local lawmaker Chi Anurah said the issues were "more accurate" than some fans had on social media.

Pro Greg Morrison said: “I feel completely conflicting. While we are not responsible for what is happening [in Saudi Arabia], we have to accept our acceptance of Saudi Arabia and the issues associated with it.

"I appeal that the fans do not resort to allowing our club to justify or defend what is going on in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but they accept and acknowledge the existence of issues and encourage discussion."

Greg Tomlinson, a NUST board member, added: "It's not impossible to be excited about Mike Ashley's departure and you're still concerned about [human rights] issues.

"These feelings are not mutually exclusive."

Genghis' statement said that fans should "stand together and block" the acquisition because the PIF was chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who said he was responsible for the murder of her fiancé in October 2018.

Bin Salman denied the order to kill Khashoggi, and Saudi authorities blamed a "rogue operation".

"I can see a lot of potential mistakes in this acquisition, but it's time to get rid of an owner who sees paying fans as an asset for sweating or exudation," added Gateshead Board Member Ian Mearns.

Jamila Khan of Amnesty International said she would welcome the critical voice of Newcastle fans.

"We cannot say who should own the club," she said. "But as long as there is room for people to criticize the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that's all we can hope for."

"We want to have an impact."
Many fans hope that the new owners will ensure that supporters actively participate in the decision-making process at St James' Park, after they are sidelined under Ashley.

"We cannot have a say in the way a sovereign country manages itself, but I hope we have a say in the way the club is run. And whoever owns the club, we want to have an impact," said NUST University Director Peter Mogan.

Steve Cockburn, NUST member and Amnesty International worker said he was "uncomfortable" about the acquisition, but added: "We have a role to protect our reputation, our values, and our commitment to social justice. We have no choice about the appropriation, but we do have a choice of how we react to it and I am encouraged by Today's discussion.

"Even if the owners own the club, they don't have our views."