Former Premier League rival Newcastle was criticized for having “lost its soul” by taking a Saudi stance.
Newcastle’s former chairman warns that the club runs the risk of being “tarnished” for centuries in an incisive assessment of contemporary ownership and oil-rich states investing in football.
Sir Bob Murray, the former owner of Sunderland, believes Newcastle United has “lost its soul” since selling out to Saudi Arabia.
Newcastle’s risk being “tarnished” for decades as a vehicle for Saudi self-promotion, the billionaire claims, in an inflammatory condemnation of modern ownership and oil-rich regimes investing in football. Additionally, he worries that some supporters may ignore wealthy “repressive regimes” in favor of additional additions and awards.
Amnesty International and other organizations have criticized Saudi Arabia for violating human rights and imprisoning opponents, citing the country’s investment in sports, particularly football, as a way to divert attention and win over supporters.
Murray adds that it “took a war for us to question Chelsea winning 20 trophies with Russian money” and that there are “moral issues” at stake.
“It is not just about Newcastle and sports washing,” he continued. The Premier League must take ownership concerns more seriously.” He claims that a “leveraged buy-out” at Manchester United, managed by the Glazers, is to blame for a “series of disasters stemming from bad leadership.”
Children are playing in Newcastle’s Saudi away uniform, which represents a nation that regularly infringes on human rights, Murray continued.
We sold out the Stadium of Light for the Lionesses’ visit last week. We just had Saudi Arabia play South Korea and Costa Rica at another club up the road. Which stadium is my preferred choice, I know.
“I don’t think Newcastle’s ownership will change in a millennium. It is not appropriate to utilize football to improve a nation’s standing.
There is a chance for injury. This is not where it ends. It shouldn’t have happened, in my opinion—either for the city or the supporters—but it was approved.
With two Premier League seventh-place finishes under his belt, Sir Bob transformed Sunderland into a cutting-edge team. The Beacon of Light, a social hub, and the Stadium and Academy of Light were built by a local businessman.
He has, therefore, demonstrated good ownership with conscience. He recognizes the potential of football to benefit a community.
Murray is right to voice his worries about the route football ownership has taken, and they are important to hear. With “a legal agreement that they couldn’t play in green because of the Irish ownership!” he sold his share to Niall Quinn and a group.
He recalled how Sports Direct owner Mike Ashely celebrated a derby loss by doing a conga around the boardroom. He remembers, “Sir Bobby came over to apologize.”
“When the Halls and Freddy Shepherd were here, we had no connection between Newcastle and Sunderland. On match day, we saw them, but they lacked manners. Newcastle was suppressed with pleasure by Mike Ashley. Twice he was demoted with a team that size. When your owner is unreliable, it usually comes to another bad owner. Like here with (Ellis) Short.
But one of my closest buddies is Steve Gibson from Boro. Sir Bobby would frequently stop by to keep an eye on us. Tom Cowie, the former chairman of the SAFC, made him an offer to work in Sunderland. Kevin Keegan wore a red and white jersey and black and white running shorts at the Great North Run. He was the epitome of a gentleman.
“The innocent party is the Newcastle supporter. Which teams are descended from Newcastle? They belong to an exclusive club—the top 20 in the world. I’m anxious about the match. Murray, nevertheless, believes Sunderland has improved under Kyril Louis Dreyfus and believes the team will return to the top division.
He went on, “I’m happy.” He is heading somewhere. He’s constructing. Kyril has big plans to return. He is making an investment in the stadium, which will cost several million dollars. They’ve got a strategy. Also from the North East is Tony Mowbray. He is truthful. Impressive signings have been made.
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