A group of cross-party members of parliament have ‘launched an 11th-hour bid to torpedo the Saudi Arabia takeover at Newcastle United’, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The proposed takeover of the club by the Saudi-backed consortium is still yet to receive approval from the Premier League and it appears that another potential obstacle may have presented itself.
According to the report, a letter was sent to Richard Masters, the league’s chief executive, in which they say the Premier League ‘should do everything in its power to bring individuals carrying out human rights abuses to account’.
After this update was relayed on Twitter by @NUFC360, many of the club’s supporters have been responding via Twitter.
These MPs work for a Government that sell weapons to Saudi Arabia , so if they are so concerned with the regime then maybe start by not selling them guns and missiles !
— Neil J R (@NeilJonNUFC) July 16, 2020
All paid off by Qatar,they should make a Netflix documentary about this,it’s scandalous
— John Paul Nagle (@Nagser82) July 16, 2020
It’s a good job we’re safe from relegation. This hanging over our heads must be a massive distraction and make meaningful preparation for next season difficult. Needs to be resolved ASAP so we are not at a disadvantage during transfer window/preseason.
— James (@billywillows) July 16, 2020
So how many of them are resigning from politics due to the UK government selling arms to Saudi Arabia? Or doesn’t that matter cos it’s good for our economy and relationship with them
— Howard Gibson (@Howardg1970) July 16, 2020
Richard keys i know what I’ll do I’ll tell everyone that the deal is goin to happen on Friday that gives us time to speak and pay of as many mps to try bomb the deal. this is complete madness how political it’s become
— JAM-BLASTER-J (@blaster_jam) July 16, 2020
Do you expect this latest development to cause a further delay in the process?
Yes
No
It is clear from the above responses that some of these fans believe the stance of the aforementioned MPs to be hypocritical while another expressed his concerns with regards to how this situation could have a negative impact on Newcastle’s preparations ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
The longer the wait, the more likely that stories like this will come out. Time for the premier league to make a decision. Enough is enough now
— Rooshabh Doshi (@doshmeisterr) July 16, 2020
You’d think, given their position that they might do something to stop the trading of arms, which will have more impact to stopping a “repressive regime” as opposed to not letting them buy a football club…
— Mississauga Geordie (@GeordieSauga) July 16, 2020
Love how we can sell them weapons but they can’t buy a football team ????????????????????????
— Matthew Daly (@MrMatthewDaly) July 16, 2020
Fortunately for the Magpies, Steve Bruce’s side have sealed their place in the Premier League for next season and they don’t have to contend with a relegation battle while all of this is going on. Based on the replies above, it is evident that the fans have grown frustrated by the whole process.