Many Newcastle United supporters have been responding to a Twitter post from UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab in which he stated he had held discussions with the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud regarding some of the issues in the region.
The Magpies are awaiting the outcome of the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test with regards to the proposed Saudi-backed takeover of the club and some of the St. James’ Park faithful took the opportunity to raise the issue in the replies section despite the post not mentioning the aforementioned deal.
Can you please explain to me how our government can work with Saudi Arabia but somehow they are not allowed to buy Newcastle United???
— michael (@mickandt) July 7, 2020
We need to work closely with Saudi, There is a football club in a City, in the North East of England that is currently neglected, and has a Saudi bid. Please assist. Oh and as quick as you like. Thank you.
— Chris Carr (@ChrismCarr83) July 7, 2020
Can you please call Masters and @premierleague to get this NUFC takeover through thanks.
— James griffiths (@Jamesgr03407364) July 7, 2020
Do you think the government can influence the takeover in a positive way
Yes
No
It’s clear from these responses that the supporters have grown tired of waiting for a decision on whether or not the takeover will be approved. The Premier League, last month stressed to the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust that their ownership test is ‘stricter than many are led to believe’ after they made contact. Fans continued to make their feelings known in response to Raab’s tweet.
Just get the Newcastle sale over the line ?
— Racing. (@halon701) July 7, 2020
Well done Dominic now encourage the @premierleague to approve the #NUFCTakeover ?
— Barry J Ingham (@BarryJIngham1) July 7, 2020
The Saudi’s are one of the UK’s close partners but are stupidly not good enough for the @premierleague? ?????
— Kevin K (@keeler87) July 7, 2020
@DeanSandberg Basically #CANS
— Chris Jones (@howbigisurtelly) July 7, 2020
This sounds positive been a bit of a rollercoaster ride but we might just be getting there
— Tony Cornfoot (@Tonyc1234) July 7, 2020
From some of the replies, we can assume that sections of the St. James’ Park faithful believe the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs’ message comes across as somewhat hypocritical. He mentions the need for the United Kingdom to work closely with the Saudis whilst the Premier League continue to stall on approving their takeover bid, however, in our opinion, the two subjects aren’t linked and what matters in this case, is the Premier League’s stance, not that of the government.