Sunday Supplement guest Henry Winter expects some protests at St James’ Park against the human rights record of Saudi Arabia if the takeover is completed – but says fans will celebrate the end of Mike Ashley’s reign
Newcastle’s proposed takeover by a Saudi-backed consortium has come under widespread scrutiny – but what do the Sunday Supplement panel make of the Premier League’s prospective newest owners? Sky Sports News has reported that PCP Capital Partners’ proposed takeover of the club is nearing completion after the consortium paid a £ m deposit and exchanged contracts with current owner Mike Ashley .
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Some Newcastle fans have voiced their disapproval of Ashley’s tenure for years
“I’ve read a lot of pieces and seen things on social media about Newcastle fans and the desire to get rid of Ashley but go to Newcastle, spend time with the fans, experience what’s happened in Newcastle during this – year ‘occupation’ and you’ll un derstand why the fans are so keen to move Mike Ashley out. “The next issue is whether the Saudis are the right owners for the club. You might have one or two politicians piping up but I don’t think the Government are going to get involved. There are serious human rights concerns and I think if the takeover does go through, there will be demonstrations outside the ground but if anything is going to derail this bid – and I do think it will go through – it will be the issue of broadcast rights . “The Newcastle fans are in the middle of this. I’m backing them on this. I think this is a huge moment for them but I think we need to urge some caution that, when the takeover does go through, the focus on human rights in Saudi Arabia will become even more intense and Newcastle United fans and the club have to be aware of that. ”
(Latest Newcastle news) ‘Moral and human rights aspect massive’
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