Supporters of Newcastle United have been reacting to an interview of Dominic Raab which was relayed to them on social media.
On Thursday, footage of the interview with the Foreign Secretary was originally posted by Sky News and shared to Toon fans by Steve Wraith.
In the footage, Raab discusses the proposed takeover of Newcastle by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium.
When asked if they should be allowed to take over the club, he said: “Look, there’s a proper process that we’ve got in place to look at everything, from the competition aspects of it to other questions of propriety.
“I think it’s right that that legal due process, with all the safeguards that it’s got in place, is followed and we have these debates about takeovers in this country. I think we should follow the rule of law.”
Lots of fans flocked to the interview footage after Wraith had shared it on Twitter.
— Steve Wraith (@stevewraith) June 18, 2020
All points to a very positive sign things are coming to the end game and the takeover is going to happen. Hopefully
— Ronsta (@ronsta61613227) June 18, 2020
Let’s hope the @premierleague and Richard Masters was watching and gives the green light today I think we’ve been more than patient some 11 weeks and counting. ?
— K B (@koolmacher) June 18, 2020
Get Dom on it!
— Martin Byrne (@MartinByrne01) June 18, 2020
When asked if he would be happy with Saudi Arabia owning his team, Raab said: “We had the same debate in relation to [Roman] Abramovich and Chelsea.
“I think it’s right that we welcome engagement and investment into football in this country. But, also that there are legal safeguards that make sure it’s done in a proper way.
“This country is an open and outward-looking country. We’ve got investment coming from all around the world, but you’re right, we do need the safeguards in place.
“We’ve seen that in relation to 5G, we’ve seen that in relation to takeovers, that national security [and] other questions of propriety are properly scrutinised.
“We’ve got the due process and the laws in place to do that, and I trust the courts and the institutions that we’ve got to deliver that.”
Do you believe what Dominic Raab had to say bodes well for the takeover?Yes, it sounds positive
No, he hasn't got a clue
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What this shows, is that the government is keeping very close tabs on the takeover, is keen for it to be approved (they are desperate for inward investment given the bleak economic landscape) Raab’s tone does suggest the takeover will pass ok. #nufc
— The Clocktoys (@clocktoys) June 18, 2020
This is a huge moral lift, I wonder what the PL are waiting for now though ? (thanks Steve for sharing this btw) ?
— Midland Mags (@MagsMelton) June 18, 2020
Done deal by end of the week then aye ???
— gareth mason (@garethm14050404) June 18, 2020
Ashley is a genius
— Michael Carr (@michaeljcarr13) June 18, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Newcastle fans, what the Foreign Secretary had to say seemed to be a positive sign for the St. James’ Park faithful.