The Truth About Newcastle United's New Owners

[@saxpackabs]

Can always count on Alfie to cut through the noise about these things. Top man

[@AapVanDieKaap]

he's just arrogant

[@saxpackabs]

@@AapVanDieKaap You know you don't have to watch the video if you don't like him?

[@beefcake1973aus]

@@AapVanDieKaap Why, because he says things you disagree with?

[@beefcake1973aus]

@Oscar Ortiz You say there is information in this video that is incorrect, so can you be more specific?

[@beefcake1973aus]

@Oscar Ortiz And in your opinion, what is the "actual truth" when it comes to this takeover? You're insinuating that Alfie is not telling the truth, so please tell us all what the truth is.

[@mortezz1268]

Hull is the perfect example of why I don't want investors owning clubs in Germany. They can do whatever they want with the club and mostly don't care about football or the fans

[@pushon10]

capitalism in a nutshell

[@corvus2512]

And are sometimes war criminals who kill everybody who disagrees with them

[@mortezz1268]

@@corvus2512 yeah that aswell I guess

[@RomaInvicta202]

There are more examples of that in England: Derby, Swindon Town

[@michiadams]

50+1 für immer

[@mullenio4200]

Wow Alfie did not hold back on this one. 😁 I can't wait to listen to the BBC's watered down comments on this. Were they try so hard not to offend anyone. 😂 Oh and Alfie, you continue to make powerful enemies as you go. 👍

[@TheMightofDab]

The only "controvery" the BBC will ever acknowledge about this is the fear of a new club "buying the league". Guarentee you Gary Linekar and Co. Will never say "Yemen" or "Civil war" while broadcasting. Best we can hope for is a tweet

[@demonedante1148]

Hell I have never seen Alfie call UK and USA war criminals when they are the biggest war criminals in the world and acts like their only issue is selling weapons and maintaining them

[@mullenio4200]

@@demonedante1148 that's not actually true and he does address that in this video. I'm not saying they're faultless. But you want to see global war criminals? Wait a few more years till China is a superpower.

[@conorwall8]

@@mullenio4200 China already is a global superpower and I can guarantee the US and UK have done far more damage globally in the time they have been a superpower but people will never know that because they control the narrative.

[@mullenio4200]

@@conorwall8 I can guarantee they haven't. Like I say, they're not angels and there's plenty the US in particular has done wrong. But if you lived in North Korea for a few years, you'd appreciate what war criminals actually looked like.

[@balham5606]

A documentary on the rise of AFC Wimbledon and the nine promotions in eleven years. How the club are fan owned and that they have a stadium now.

[@lexman7179]

We had our own stadium before, we've just got a better one exactly where we wanted it.

[@balham5606]

@@lexman7179 I think a HITC sevens documentary talking about how the f a allowed the move to happen And how the new club worked their way back up Will be good Did hull win away to afc Wimbledon last season ? How AFC have the trophies back again How Milton Keynes aren’t considered a club by 99% of football fans You know ? It can be a good video by Alfie

[@lexman7179]

@@balham5606 Yeah I would liek to see it.

[@balham5606]

@@lexman7179 thanks

[@pauldoodnath]

Definitely would love to see one on the original wimbledon's move to Milton Keynes to become mk dons and the birth of afc wimbledon

[@felixbache5369]

4:55 Jimmy Carr's career must have taken a huge dive seeing as he has to take a job at Starbucks

[@gunders85]

Was thinking the same 😅

[@corvus2512]

I thought that was jimmy carr!!

[@MrAlwaysBlue]

When Newcastle play badly, "heads will roll", now has a more ominous meaning...

[@Ren_1090]

I don’t think the UAE is all that much better in terms of human rights than Saudi Arabia.

[@yannick245]

@@Ren_1090 The UAE has sharia law for their own citizens and muslim foreigners, mainly their slave-like working force too. You won't find a UAE citizen working as a cashier at KFC there. The whole native population is alimented by the state. So no, the UAE isn't much better than Saudi Arabia. They also sent their military to "fight" in Yemen. With air striking and artillery bombing. So no _"boots on the ground",_ since that would mean casualties of "precious" UAE soldiers lifes. I have nothing but disgust for the gulf states. _Edit: Oh, I see that the UAE lost about 100 soldiers in the Yemen war. Which is a joke compared to the loses of Yemenite lifes._

[@A...A09888]

@@Ren_1090 where is human right in france France forced muslim to don't wear hijjab where is human right

[@kingschulz1444]

Instantly having the song in my head ffs 😂

[@vaughnshinkus4178]

a.) No one mentioned France, and no one said they were a land of acceptance and open-mindedness b.) Yes, France treats is Muslim population like shit, but that doesn’t excuse the Gulf States brutally murdering political and religious dissenters.

[@cirrusblade6193]

Thank you Alfie, this was the level of research I was looking for. It’s gotten even weirder supporting Newcastle.

[@woolly337]

Yeah its a hard spot to be in, I'm always going to support the club but I cant ever be happy with being owned by massive criminals

[@thomasrockbottom2907]

Even glazers are criminals, grow up

[@woolly337]

@@thomasrockbottom2907 if you watched any of the video, you'd understand that just because a lot of other PL owners are criminals, and many of their crimes are very serious, they are likely nothing compared to the saudi war crimes

[@yannick245]

Here in Germany, he probably would be invited to a talkshow or shows like _"Sport inside",_ a little (by little I mean it's running time is short) show on a public tv channel (NDR) that looks into problems/the dark side of sports,just the way Alfie does.

[@TheIkaraCult]

I sympathise with you man, it's your club, owners move on but fans stay for life. I'm sure there are alot of Newcastle fans who are feeling that grim feeling in the pit of their stomach at this.

[@kelleyrawlings614]

"Amnesty International FC" made me laugh way more than it should have lol.

[@ranaashhad8040]

Its more like selective morality fc.

[@xdarkohh60]

I have a lot of cash and nothing else matters FC

[@danielo7985]

@@ranaashhad8040 what do you mean by that

[@IrishGuysScarf]

@@danielo7985 Because he believes that a human rights organisation believing an autocratic dictatorship should not be allowed to sportswash to excuse their abuses is somehow 'biased'.

[@bobchipman7737]

You know alot of ..."football only matters on the pitch not outside " comments coming... By that logics Adam Johnson and Benjamin Mendy are good boys coz they pass the ball lol

[@aidy6000]

They were good footballers. But not good people. Important to maintain that distinction I think.

[@fireboltninja29]

tbf mendy was an excellent ball playing defender

[@crazydezzy9779]

They doing well for prison FC they got a right team going now lol

[@wolfen210959]

I haven't looked into the Mendy case, but, with Adam Johnson, the chief executive of the club was also his agent, which, in my opinion was a conflict of interest that should never have been allowed to happen. She admitted, after the fact, that she knew he intended to plead guilty, because he was, but she still sanctioned his continuing to play. Smh

[@sadashivtanawade4483]

Well than you won’t support manchester city cz mendy is in prison?? Right??

[@AW-1909]

I love the guy accusing Amnesty of being jealous, I sincerely hope they were joking

[@karlhans4116]

Amnesty always whines so that they can get more funds all those who work at amnesty are grossly overpaid and in most cases they want worse situation to continue

[@lagofala]

@@karlhans4116 So what's a fair wage at amnesty international according to your opinion?

[@karlhans4116]

@@lagofala Obviously lesser than what they are paid nowadays

[@leonjicha9921]

@@karlhans4116 they're not whining they're adressing various issues in the world, "whining" is the whole point otherwise they couldn't exist. And i can assure you that not everyone is overpaid at Amnesty

[@archstanton6102]

@@karlhans4116 Can you give a factual example and source of a salary at Amnesty please?

[@FootballDrawn]

Love the research that went into this. Another top video by a top man. Well done Alfie⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽

[@sbtgamil5536]

Love both your channels

[@davman115]

Research? Yes it must have took him a couple of minutes to Google.

[@willywonka7812]

@@davman115 taken. Not took. Quit bakin. Get a book

[@FootballDrawn]

@@davman115 hahaha....that's what I thought, until I started my own channel as well. It actually takes a while, my friend :))

[@ImperialMJG]

He hasnt done much research on his 1 mention of Assad/Syria. For the rest he Just say general knowledge if you know about MSB.

[@lalitthapa101]

My views are blame the system that allowed this to happen. Not the fans cause its not like fans opposing the takeover will suddenly make it stop.

[@brunoactis1104]

Honestly, by far what i've mostly heard from Newcastle fans, is that they shouldn't be blamed for this, or be ashamed of feeling happy for their club. And just as you said, they're right.

[@ヤマト-q7x]

They can't do anything about it

[@SebPZLDN]

@Kobe McFadgean Jesus Christ - watch the video you're commenting on for an answer on why we should all care a lot, wherever we're Newcastle fans or not.

[@عبدمجيدتبون-ش6ر]

@Kobe McFadgean Saudi Arabia is not a bad country. It is a wonderful and rich country. Its people are generous and welcoming. A wonderful culture that you can visit. Its rulers currently have problems with human rights and imprisoning opponents. It must be separated. If you have any question I will answer you. Sometimes fake news.

[@madesatwikadarma841]

Yeah, feel sorry for them. I genuinely think that they deserve this takeover and disagree all opinion that their club isnt relevant. They have been in hard time for long now and with takeover it just sad if people blame them when they couldnt anything about it

[@PatrickStarfishman]

Actually he said that at the end. He also said early on that supporting the takeover is tacit support for the Saudi government. So is he separating fans from owners or not? Well I'm a toon fan who would love to get money out of football or a 50+1 rule or a morality portion of the fit and proper person test but no I will kot feel ashamed of being utterly delighted by this news and no I don't remotely support the Saudi regime.

[@lianrose88]

brilliant piece of not only entertainment but nuanced and intelligent quality journalism. Alfie keep bleating, in the current and ongoing media landscape by so called journalists or 'experts' on mainstream channels, your perspective is gold and must be celebrated

[@AW-1909]

That picture of Kroenke and his awful toupee never fails to make me laugh. You'd think a billionaire would be able to afford a half decent hairpiece.

[@kanekennedy8300]

Sais the nerd behind his screen

[@MenWithVen]

Found the Kroenke burner account

[@nicholastricarico2957]

That's what we NFL fans here in the States have been saying for years.

[@corvus2512]

Or he could just have a hair transplant! The guy is so cheap!

[@sukhdevr3489]

@@kanekennedy8300 Sais. Shut up.

[@mattanderson8575]

This is why sportswashing is so effective, no matter how morally corrupt and horrible the ownership of the club is you’ll still cheer them on when they succeed.

[@IrishGuysScarf]

The prime example of this is the Qatar World Cup. I just read a comment congratulating Qatar for “overcoming the controversies of migrant workers and LGBTQ+ because the World Cup itself was very exciting.” They quite literally had the exact reaction the Qatari royalty wanted them to have: overlook the absolute abuse of power and human rights and focus on the pretty sports-washing that was provided.

[@unknownapproach9410]

I wonderfully well thought out, written and performed piece from Alfie. As a NUFC fan I must admit being swept up in excitement these past few days, but at the same time I’m totally aware of how awful these new owners are. It’s a really difficult minefield to get your head around

[@xzoi7751]

My dear, I am a Saudi, what is the abomination that you are talking about? We live in Saudi Arabia as we want, we have thousands of British and Europeans living in peace. I hope you go to Saudi Arabia and see for yourself how the situation is there, and with all this we see the crimes of Britain and Europe in the whole world from the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan to the wars of Europe to racism and the enslavement of people in Africa if we speak frankly Saudis should be afraid to invest in Britain, not the other way around

[@jakeroper6758]

@@xzoi7751 and I’m sure most everyone in Britain wishes you wouldn’t. Keep your money in Saudi Arabia. No one cares about it. Your leaders are scum of the earth and their money is worth nothing to me.

[@Macar14]

@@xzoi7751 Jamal Khashoggi?

[@michiadams]

@@xzoi7751 Nobody here has a problem with Saudi People. The Problem is your leader's disregard for basic human rights of any kind.

[@stephenturnbull275]

@@Macar14 it's one person

[@RobCrowhurst]

4:55 I didn’t know Jimmy Carr works in Starbucks, but I guess both are known for tax evasion

[@GeoffHodgkinson]

At first I was amazed how much that barrista looked like Jimmy Carr. Then I realised it probably actually is him. See the people in the queue taking photos etc. Must have been a charity event, or as you say, perhaps a tax evasion workshop.

[@ryanchant6861]

He's already used that joke

[@TheMightofDab]

20:12 this has to be part of the most disgusting aspect of all this. The Premier league initially blocked the takeover for "two" reasons. The first reason was a very popular streaming service that let people in Saudi Arabia pirate Premier league games. The second "reason" was the human rights violations committed by the Saudi state. The first reason was addressed, but the second one really wasn't, proving that the Premier League doesn't give a fuck about the moral integrity of its owners.

[@xzoi7751]

What are the human rights that Saudi Arabia violates? It seems that Western peoples live in frightening ignorance about the reality of Arab societies and how the culture is completely different from theirs. Religion plays an essential core in the life of the Arab man. Therefore, it is difficult to impose European culture on a Muslim society. The people themselves will never accept that and will fight you with full force. I hope that man understands Western nature of life in the countries of the world and to stay away from naivety

[@1998Cebola]

@@xzoi7751 there are plenty of examples in the video. I know many religious arabs, not a single one supports crucifying children demonstrating for democracy. The fact that you're trying to group the people fleeing the terror with the ones responsible for it is despicable. There are no people fleeing Sweden to Saudi, but plenty of people fleeing in the opposite direction for a good reason.

[@xzoi7751]

@@1998Cebola My dear, if you go to any Arab country and ask him about his vision of the state system that he wants, he would say to you, I want to implement Sharia, and you will not find any Muslim in Arab countries who want secularism or personal and religious freedoms. What you see now in Afghanistan, for example, is the real type of what the Muslim wants. Look at the reaction after America’s exit from Afghanistan. They celebrated a great deal and demanded the implementation of Sharia. This will undoubtedly happen in Saudi Arabia if the Saudi kings left. Banning women from driving also they set up a terrifying campaign to prevent women from working because this is against Islamic Sharia.

[@Ahmed-Bin-Koshari]

@@xzoi7751 Their media is very good at washing thier citizens minds See how this channel owner talks as if UK was throwing flowers in Iraq and Afghanistan not to mention in the UK stabbing is like weather forecast very normal thing it’s like the medieval times again

[@1998Cebola]

@@xzoi7751 yeah, I saw that all "real muslims" wanted sharia when people where falling off airplanes trying to escape Afghanistan. There are also HUGE groups in the middle east that aren't even muslim, and there is an equally huge diversity in both what constitutes sharia law and islam.

[@nicholastricarico2957]

I feel like this was indirectly and directly aimed at the Irish Guy simultaneously.

[@henrycavill1667]

Hi dear

[@awaydaysfootball]

HERE WE GO

[@davman115]

Total bollocks incoming!

[@willywonka7812]

@@davman115 imagine white knighting for slave owners who cut up journalists with a bonesaw

[@archstanton6102]

@@davman115 You seem to be very angry with Alfie. Any particular reason why?

[@HPLovecraftsCat87]

@@davman115 Humanitarian expert you lad

[@nicocorbo4153]

Great video again Alfie. Quality piece of journalism. Saudi Arabia may have some great journalists like you. It a shame they have no platform and face death for their actions. Your role in publicizing these atrocities to a broader audience and building more humility in the football community is crucial

[@callmedavid9696]

So glad you are releasing videos like this that don't censor themselves, too many youtubers seem happy to ignore the facts on this or don't have the guts to make this big of a stand.

[@Pantalaimon91]

In all honesty the 50+1 rule is needed in all of sports, but it is certainly very pressing currently in the EPL and all the other major leagues.

[@kaihiggins725]

no it doesnt, the bundesliga is shit because bayern are the only one who can acc compete

[@Ascending11]

Sadly, teams like RB Leipzig circumvent the 50+1 rule.

[@robingronwald7993]

I really hope that there’s gonna be a 50+1 rule like in Germany. By now every great league had a decline when they used to dominate: Bundesliga wasn’t able to compete anymore after HSVs Win in the Mid 80s and they only recovered when the „Italien Legionäre“ returned from stronger leagues, then rerised after some dark years from 98-04 where no one else except Bavaria was capable to play on a serious niveau. And now due to financial mismanagement, clubs like Schalke, Stuttgart and Werder aren’t as nearly as dominant as they used to be. Now the League title is literally owned by Bavaria Munich. Serie A collapsed in a corruption swamp, struggled with a declining national team, but they were able to turn their fortunes around. National team won the Euros, the title battle is actually very exciting and there are quite a lot of interesting progresses like for example Roma, Bergamo or AC Milan’s return. La Liga Clubs struggle due to the Corona pandemic (some smaller clubs from catalunia especially) When the Premier League declines, because of 50+1, disappointed investors or anything else it could turn out to be not a decline but a catastrophy. Or maybe the Prem will be dominant forever but then we’ll have the money league. I really hope that certain clubs have a back up plan cause once the investor is out, they will definitely need it. If the Prem declines there will be clubs who will decline at the same time.

[@wolfen210959]

Yeah, all these people banging on about fan ownership and 50+1 rules, don't realise that for all of that to come true, the Premier League would no longer exist in it's current form. Which means no more TV money, no more Champions League wins, no more games on TV, the end of Sky and BT in the UK. No more of the best players in the world playing for your team. The only reason it works in the Bundesligue is that it is better than what they had before, and incidentally, is still open to abuse, just check out some of Alfies' videos about German clubs and their dodgy dealings. It's like everyone forgetting that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, until you realise what getting there entails, and realising that you are, at best, no better off.

[@markphc99]

1.The owners don’t really care about football. 2. or human rights 3. But they do have a lot of money!

[@bobchipman7737]

@Sky Mirror 🤣 bruh u fxcking srs

[@Cal2929]

PIF provide the wealth, they ain't actually the ones doing the day to day running of the football club.

[@joecurrie2381]

Video Idea: The fall and future rise of Stockport County. If you look into it it is more interesting than you think 🔵⚪🔵⚪

[@امفهوودي-ق1ط]

Yes

[@jackbutler559]

This is fantastic, feel so let down by other youtube commentators who are not mentioning this or just say “we’re here to talk about football”. Also - i knew you would be, but glad to hear you’re a comrade ✊

[@ario4550]

As a newcastle pseudo-fan for the last 4 years, i have been very conflicted. obviously i end up landing on the side of fuck MBS and anything his regime has a heavy hand in, but at the same time i kind of get the hype of the Newcastle fans. i just wish they didn't try to justify their guilt. just accept it lol it wasn't up to them

[@askgudmundsen]

Support the team, not the regime! Honestly, NUFC doesn't deserve this after 14 years of Mike Ashley... But at least you have gotten a lot of practise supporting the team while hating the owner 😅

[@RichardsDigest]

"justify their guilt" the fans are not guilty of anything in this take over.

[@ario4550]

@@RichardsDigest i mean fair enough, i don't know if i worded that part best. But I don't know how comfortable a lot of fans would feel about giving money and supporting an organization thats an arm of a genocidal tyrannical government. As Newcastle grows, so will Saudi influence. And that sucks. They are literally taking advantage of our love of football for PR and branding reasons. thats all

[@JohnSmith-tp2mg]

@@ario4550 Look at what China's doing to the Uighurs, yet everyone's still doing business with China. Hell, my American college even has a campus in China. The world of business also is so competitive and lucrative that people end up losing their morals. Pretty much every single large business does has done unethical things. And yet we still buy their products. I say this to say all in all, there's pretty much nothing we, the regular people, can do. In all facets of life we use products and support companies that are unethical, and there's really no way we can put a stop to that. So this brings me to my point of if you're a Newcastle supporter, then hell yeah, support your club. You can be thankful to the owners for what they'll do to your club while also criticizing them for their human rights abuses.

[@SamOGr]

Thanks Alfie for making this, I know some fans just don't really understand the situation, it's absolutely abhorrent what they're doing and should have no place in football

[@WaterCarrier07]

It’s a huge shame, abramovic is the same, the Qataris, City’s Owners, the glazers, it’s terrible how many awful people are let into the sport

[@SamOGr]

@@WaterCarrier07 while it isn't exclusive to the PIF they are the worst, but yeah I agree it's a big shame that all these shady people come in

[@WaterCarrier07]

@@SamOGr oh I mean they’re all pretty terrible 😅 weather it’s the almost slave like working conditions in Qatar, Abramovic and Putin stealing oil and killing off anyone who opposes them, the tolerance for homosexuality in these countries, their treatment of women, human rights violations, bribery, political influence etc the Americans trying to franchise Football, it’s all utter shit and UEFA and FIFA are all as corrupt as these people so football is fucked and it will separate into the super league one day

[@WILDM1K]

@@WaterCarrier07 how?

[@WaterCarrier07]

@@WILDM1K ??

[@nbarrett100]

Thank you for making this video. I'm sick of seeing fellow toon fans make these terrible arguments. What they're really saying is "I don't want to think about it".

[@karlhans4116]

Then get rid of abramovich then we would be ok if you criticize saudi based owners

[@EOR2742]

@@karlhans4116 I don't remember Abramovich waging war against impoverished nations or mass executing the citizens of his country. It's not the same thing

[@tylerphillips1926]

@@EOR2742 the premier league themselves have been told and agreed to the fact that mbs isn’t in control, that’s all that matters

[@EOR2742]

@@tylerphillips1926 It's not fine. The Premier League may have been told he isn't in control, but he actually is in control alongside half the people in power in Saudi Arabia. Saying "that's all that matters" is a cop out

[@tylerphillips1926]

@@EOR2742 if you’re annoyed by it talk to the premier league, they’re the people that made the final decision which is all that matters, Newcastle fans will support the club before and after owners are gone

[@alvinokamara373]

Alfie spitting facts over facts over facts

[@Ukmwpgad]

Very well done video. Easy to understand and very informative. So happy to be living in Germany where this could never happen.

[@HaremKnight]

Enjoy Bayern winning the league forever

[@chriscookesuffolk]

Great video. If the Saudis invite you to their embassy to discuss it, I suggest a polite refusal.

[@francisjrousseau]

In Saudi Arabia, Women are subject to fewer rights than men under the male guardianship system, including requiring a male guardian's approval to get married or travel. Men can file cases against women for "disobedience". Sexual harassment and domestic abuse is widespread.

[@لااحد-ظ4ه]

لذلك نقول عنكم اغبياء وساذجين.. تصدقون كل شيء.. الا توجد لديكم عقول تعرف الصحيح من الكذب؟ المراة تسافر بدون اذن أي شخص من عام ٢٠١٨ ونسبة عدد النساء في مجلس الشورى أكثر من نسبة عدد النساء في برلمان امريكا ولا توجد مقارنة.. ونسبة التحرش تعتبر صفر اذا تمت مقارنتها بتحرش رجل بكل امراة في بريطانيا بنسبة تصل ألى ١٠٠% من أين تأتون بهذه الخرافات.. تظهرون المجرمون وسافكي الدماء وأعضاء داعش الذين قتلوا جنودنا وفجروا المساجد في السعودية على انهم ابطال واصحاب حقوق لا تكونوا اغبياء تصدقون اعلامكم المتصهين الذي يوجهكم مثل الحمير انا سعودي واعرف ان كل هذه الامور اكاذيب مضحكة مجرد احقاد دينية وصليبية غبية وعنصرية عرقية بغيضة يحركها اعلامكم..

[@Ahmed-Bin-Koshari]

Yeah every women in England feels very safe to go late in night unlike Saudi Arabia is dangerous for women to go out 😆

[@damonh9668]

Great video Alfie, as a Newcastle fan I have never felt so 50/50 before, on one hand I am glad to see the back of Mike Ashley and I am excited to see my club hopefully compete for trophies rather than fighting relegation or being relegated every year, but on the other hand Saudi Arabia’s human rights laws are not to be overlooked, and the occasional Newcastle fans with Saudi Arabia flags on their profile or dressing up to look like a Saudi does leave a sour taste in my mouth. I celebrated the takeover news as more of getting rid of Mike Ashley, and the huge wealth the new owners have, although exciting, saddens me when I see clubs over 100 year old either relegated, deducted points, or even completely gone, and I have such sympathy for any fans of clubs going through financial struggles or who no longer exist.

[@NickfromRBR]

Alfie, I love your work. You’ve got a wonderful way of wording things and explain everything very well. The Newcastle takeover is really hard for me as a fan. Yes MSB and Saudi Arabia in general are terrible and you’ve made it clear why your criticising and why you will continue to criticise Newcastle’s new owners. What they have done… to call it deplorable is an understatement. Not to brush this away, the football fan in me is extremely excited to see potentially what lies ahead for Newcastle. Going from a owner who wouldn’t open his wallet for anything, not just transfers mind you even the clubs infrastructure has been neglected, to ownership that has said they want to invest in Newcastle’s future, well I think any fan who’s experienced awful owners understands why that’s exciting. I think you can both be excited to see your club be invested in and also condemn Saudi Arabia’s actions. I do understand why a lot of Newcastle’s fans are jumping to defend their team in these ways, I mean even in this video it wasn’t until 24 minutes in until you acknowledged it isn’t Newcastle’s fans fault. So it can be pretty hard not to come out and angrily defend yourself when you feel someone is attacking your club. There’s not really any point I’m making here to be honest. Maybe just an opportunity to say words into the aether. Love your work man.

[@EvilFinian]

I think you put it well, and it is something as you are seeing around the world in all factors of life. When you are needing/wanting investment and the only one offering is a country with appalling human rights, do you turn them away? It is very easy to condemn them but very hard for those involved not to accept. So where should the blame lie, in the end it has to be with the organizations and institutions that allow this form of investment to occur, not the general population or fans

[@henrycavill1667]

Hi dear

[@chlcrk]

​@@EvilFinian I'm inclined to agree with that final point. Saudi Arabia has clearly been looking to invest in a football club for years, as football - particularly in England - has demonstrated it will embrace ever-increasing riches, and that we'd be having these same conversations if the PIF brought any football club. For me it just happened to be the one I support, at the end of a situation that likely pushed people to more extreme positions because it dragged on for a long period of time and Ashley was that unpopular. It's not great the choice was either an owner who had clearly lost interest or to be effectively owned by a nation state that, to put it kindly, has baggage. In my capacity as a Newcastle supporter, I'm not going to pretend I have a simple answer to working all of this out, or pretend that I can speak for every Newcastle fan everywhere as to how we should feel. All I know is that this is going to become a very regular conversation, particularly if Newcastle soon start regularly challenging for trophies

[@bestrafung2754]

Honestly, I feel the same as a Manchester City fan. I have criticisms of our owners but at the same time I'm happy to see my team do well and I'm looking forward to the future. I think most Man City, Newcastle, and PSG fans feel this way. Besides, I was 7 in 2008. I never asked Sheikh Mansour to buy City lol.

[@MrDigimal]

Fair play man. Needed to be said and you said it eloquently

[@createmistakes]

Great video. I have nothing against Newcastle fans but that doesn’t mean we can’t question what the club is doing.

[@hwtl6.103]

you do realize that there isn’t shit we can you 😂. the clubs been sold, sure you can question and insult our owners but where exactly do you think that’s gonna get you. personally it doesn’t bother me but unless the saudis sell the club it’s there’s for the remaining future and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

[@createmistakes]

@@hwtl6.103 calm down bro, Jesus there’s no need to be so sensitive. I clearly said I have nothing against NUFC fans, but If your club is owned by assholes then you can’t be surprised if people point out to you that your club is owned by assholes. People always pointed out that Mike Ashley was an asshole but you never had a problem about that so calm down bro.

[@leonleon3267]

I wouldn't blame anybody for not wanting to have anything to do with the premier league after this, it's pretty disgusting

[@Gundamman]

I appreciate these videos that go a little deeper than normal

[@aarontomaselli590]

One of the best around at the moment. Love your work

[@TheMightofDab]

Who was it that said Arsenal fans would chant "Suddam Hussein" if he managed the club to trophies? Newcastle fans are pretty much doing exactly that right now, and the only "success" so far is Mike Ashley leaving.

[@adammerai3015]

As a person who lived in Saudi Arabia for 12 years I can say that Alfie would never be heard form again

[@thetool5434]

Corruption in these owners will be exposed. As a fan all my life. This will not end well.

[@thetool5434]

Skymirror@ wait and see.

[@leonjicha9921]

@Sky Mirror moral corruption

[@thetool5434]

Skymirror.@ football and all sports have been corrupted over the years. This is maybe the worst. Being a loyal fan all my life and had enough 3yr s ago . I was blinded on the love for the club and kept up with this shi@ it's been a smokescreen of corruption for yrs . FU.

[@PaddyOutback]

There was whispers about the Saudis buying Man Utd a few years back. I have supported United since 1989, when I was 7 years old. I mentioned this gossip on my Facebook page at the time and stated that if the Saudis did buy United, I would be done with the club. I couldn’t have anything to do with a team owned by those utter scumbags. Jesus, did I cop some flak for that one. It seems that a worryingly large amount of people don’t care who owns the club as long as they can afford a few Brazilians and are linked to buying Harry Kane or whomever. I feel sorry for Newcastle Fans. A truly great club that are being given everything they could have dreamed of at an enormous cost.

[@jonathandavies89]

Amnesty FC are looking quite strong this year Alfie so you can’t blame their fans for being jealous 😭😂

[@neilturner6749]

Particularly strong at (human) rights back, but once their opponents work out that most of Amnesty’s team are playing on the Loony Left, their form will dip just as Amnesty’s own image has become comical over time...

[@leonjicha9921]

I'm so disappointed with the way this deal has been allowed to happen and the way fans have been celebrating it or wishing their team had been taken over. After the way the Super League was shut down by pressure from fans and ex-players I thought there was some hope left but this...I'm do disillusioned with football atm it makes me want to never watch a game again, it's sad

[@kaihiggins725]

then don't

[@langletprolet8378]

Fans (and humans, in general) are selective.

[@fudgerace4356]

The premier league itself already bcm their own super league...

[@footballinvestorsclub]

The 50+1 rule has never been needed more than now.

[@Jackcrypto101]

They're so rich I'm not sure they'd care about the super league

[@SmearyImpala517]

Day 1: Downfall of South African Football

[@iiNeedSkins]

*Alfie has surprisingly invited to the KSA embassy.

[@dpereira35]

Thanks Alfie for this brave and comprehensive piece. I think you successfully navigated through the tricky arguments and I hope this gives cause to not only Newcastle fans, but true City and PSG fans to push for something better, i.e. club success with much less reliance on the morally corrupt regimes and owners who finance them. There should be no moral equivalence concept when it comes to billlionaires, and what the Gulf states perpetuate to the detriment of mankind far outstrip most Western multinationals and their owners. I have read Soccernomics recently and was dismayed to see arguments in the book touting that the EPL "need" so call sugar-daddies to enhance the competitiveness of the league. Whilst so many people detract from 50+1 because of the dominance of Bayern, I'd rather take the dominance by that club, over a competitive league financed and controlled by tyrants.

[@uliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiike]

Your best video yet. Utter madness how little some of this is being talked about. Been a subscriber from the very start and you really have hit your stride with your own style/brand of humour, really great to see.

[@TheMixCurator]

Amanda Staveley looks like some sort of villain from the Cats films. Apart from that, the mental gymnastics of NUFC fans now is genuinely hilarious after bashing the Oil/"plastic" teams of Man City and Chelsea. On a more humane level, its entirely predictable that the PL higher ups had no problems with the human rights violations that go on in Saudi, instead fixed on pirate satellite issues before the sale could go ahead. Indicative of the 21st Century world of business.

[@gentleken7864]

'Amanda Staveley looks like some sort of villain from the Cats films.' Erm, I noticed that too. I don't usually use someone's appearance as a needle but the photo they had in the Guardian was not very flattering, considering she's working for a disgusting regime, and she's the (female) face of it. Which made it worse. I put that in parenthesis because it's like one of the films where the evil overlords will have a kind-faced soft-voiced robot as a front to gain peoples' trust in the film, masking the terror tries to hide what they're really up to. Having a 'female face' for a Saudi regime, is not fooling anyone.

[@branthall1787]

@@gentleken7864 Yeah, it's like how the Tories use Priti Patel as the face of deportation. That whole "can't be racist if a brown woman is kicking the brown people out" fallacy.

[@TheMixCurator]

@@gentleken7864 I'm not the type to comment on looks either, but she's a living caricature of a human/cat cross breed and I can never get that image out of my head now. She looks like the older Hollywood ladies that had so much plastic surgery they turn into this "look" Joan Rivers or Jocelyn Wildenstein spring to mind. I mean, don't get me wrong its a striking look - but I do find it odd.

[@TheMixCurator]

@@djstuc Just read that she was involved in the purchase of Man City by Sheikh Mansour and was also involved in a potential take over of Liverpool by Dubai International Capital in 2011, which would of got her on the board of LFC.

[@matthewperry303]

As a Newcastle fan, I completely agree with him. The level of violation of human rights is incomprehensible to me because to be honest, I'm so far removed from it... As every Newcastle fan almost certainly is. It makes it extremely difficult to put this all into context. I will not hold it against any fan who wants to associate with the club, or completely distance themselves. It's very odd for me and many others, because it'll be good for the club, the local community. We'll see huge investment, regeneration into the local area that has been sorely missed for so long. We'll see the local economy grow and more jobs created. However I also see how bad this is for the premier League, football and sport. I see the damage sportwashing can and is doing. I see the way people change based of their live for sport and their teams. It's important to remember the fans are mostly happy that Ashley is gone (at least right now). Please don't blame the fans for this, we love our club no matter what, and we didn't ask for the new owners. Many will defend them purely because they love the club. I certainly hope that this is the catalyst for people to really start questioning the impact of sportwashing across all sport including F1 and boxing to name a few. Let's remember we're all on the same side. We don't want this in the sport, we don't want this in the places we love, Let's remember that.

[@mrflibble9783]

The scenes outside st James Park show a vast number of the Newcastle fans are turning a blind eye. It's appalling how morals disapear out the window when there's a chance of their team being successful. I don't imagine the scenes would be different elsewhere either. Shows more and more that 50+1 rule is needed accross europe. But, these large owners wouldn't except it, so with every large takeover like this we're further and further from that being a reality. What would be nice, is if big name players come out and refuse to play for the team. But i suspect they're equally morally banrupt and will just follow the money.

[@JayA-io7wj]

would you boycott USA who drone strike and kill innocent children?

[@Cal2929]

They were celebrating the end of Ashley over anything else. Remember that.

[@somebritishidiot]

@@JayA-io7wj I mean if it could realistically do anything, yes

[@JayA-io7wj]

@@somebritishidiot well realistically cant do nothing to saudi yet here is everyone threatening to botcott them

[@mrflibble9783]

@@JayA-io7wj If you buy something from a private company, it's not effecting the US state. So, saying i won't buy that $100 item has no effect on the US state, but does have an effect on the individuals selling the item. Who, arn't responcible for for the actions of the US state. PIF is the Saudi state. There is a difference. Look at who runs the Saudi state, and who runs the PIF. Then you look at who runs the US companys you might want to buy things from and see how they're responcible for the actions of the US state.... Clue... They arn't.

[@ncedovilakazi1985]

The most important thing you didn't mention is the fact that Saudi Arabia has zero sanctions from the developed world. If they were sanctioned buying a football club wouldn't be possible but because... CAPITALISM. Yet here we are, the UK literally fund the Saudi government to maintain their Yemen war.

[@leonjicha9921]

We have arms deals in place and the government didn't want to talk about how the take over was approved because they fear it might hurt relations with saudi arabia, we're far away from sanctions unfortunately

[@Ahmed-Bin-Koshari]

@@leonjicha9921 No problem habibi I have heard that China has weapons also

[@matteoj226]

The pure logic and moral clarity in this video is a joy to listen to.

[@RyanGamin224]

Thank you Alfie for taking this seriously and not just going “oil club ruining football.” The sport channel kinda just said this is bad oil money bad. Thanks for going in depth.

[@greenhandskelly5580]

The only person who isn't afraid to speak the truth. Well done.

[@richardfinlayson1524]

Yeah stunned that this hasn't been brought up more, I'd be appalled I do I was a Newcastle be fan.

[@malcolmhaig3709]

What?

[@NSBarnett]

@@malcolmhaig3709 I'd be appalled I do I was a Newcastle be fan! Can't you read?

[@malcolmhaig3709]

@@NSBarnett it's still nonsense regardless how many times it's repeated.

[@TrophyhunterRMS]

I'm a Portsmouth fan and I have to say we are the only team to be taken over by a Saudi that doesn't have any money a decade ago

[@tomthomassony8607]

Did that Saudi owner even exist? Heard it wasn’t even a real person.

[@TrophyhunterRMS]

@@tomthomassony8607 I'm on about Solomon al-fahim the one who stole money from his wife to buy the club

[@tomthomassony8607]

@@TrophyhunterRMS at least Harry Redknapp carefully managed Pompey’s finances. All above board with ‘Arry.

[@TrophyhunterRMS]

@@tomthomassony8607 nice bit of sarcasm he also had a offshore account in his dog name

[@dorianr5191]

As someone from mainland Europe, who supports a team from my country's league, the entire celebrations of Newcastle fans just seem extremely foreign to me. I would rather see my club relegated than in the hands of people who violate human rights on a daily basis

[@vinhbao9738]

its easy to say until the money is in front of you. How rich are you i question?

[@dorianr5191]

@@vinhbao9738 Even tho you make a fair point, this is not what I was getting at. I do not condemn, in any way, the club or the players for taking the money. If I had the opportunity to earn a fortune for doing the things I was doing anyway, I would be stupid not to take it. However, what I do condemn is celebrating a murderer as a hero.

[@ConnbineHarvester]

It shocks me how much I used to love football compared to how I feel about it now.

[@dipakvarsani4191]

You have a great way of putting a balanced and grounded view .... Well played 👍🏾

[@Iamneverright]

Great video Alfie, Sadly i do not think the ignorant will ever watch it !!

[@GB-fk7eq]

Thank you for adding some sanity to the conversation. As an Arsenal fan, all I hear is I'm jealous when I point out there should be no way PIF passed a fit and proper persons test in order to buy Newcastle.

[@GeliCarlosJ]

they would pass it because that test is all about financial capabilities and not about if they're a "good" or "bad" person morally

[@bobchipman7737]

@@GeliCarlosJ not really they check ur crimminal and conviction history... MBS CONTROLS THE LAW so its all erased for him which is not fair

[@ketankuttikar2223]

and thats why sportswashing will never go away

[@danpreston564]

In the late 90s Robin Cook, then Labour Foreign Secretary, tried to introduce a more ethical foreign policy agenda. He failed. The power of the money was just too great.

[@archstanton6102]

No way was Blair going to let him

[@danpreston564]

@@archstanton6102 I don’t think it was Blair that stopped him. It was international reality. If anything, it probably would have been Brown, not Blair. Brown held the purse strings.

[@archstanton6102]

@@danpreston564 Possibly but Blair led the country. His post-prime minister dealings have shown how corrupt he was. But I am sure Brown influenced things

[@danpreston564]

@@archstanton6102 Blair and Brown often functioned as two separate governments. Who knows how much Influence Blair had? Blair wasn’t perfect, but my god, what I’d give to have the 97 Blair back in power right now.

[@archstanton6102]

@@danpreston564 we can both agree on that

[@Kriscur20]

The Premier League approved this deal just because the Saudis stopped and promised to pirating premier league games from Bein sport, the Qatari media company. Thry never cared about the human rights issues as reported and never will.

[@chakraborty1989]

As long as PIF doesn't bankrupt club like what happens with leeds in early 2000s in the chase of champions league football, they would be happy with any results. It's a club whose supporters are now lives hoping to survive in EPL, sharp contrast to earlier 2000s when they sacked managers for finishing 5th..mbape, haland are just for meme

[@suzannelooms7658]

Thank you. Nice to see some clarity in a sea of bull crap.

[@MenWithVen]

Still hoping for a "What on Earth is Going on at Sunderland? Would be a good look at more North East football, plus if you think Newcastle have had it bad then Sunderland have had even more catastrophic ownership over the past decade or so. Sunderland til I die showed our relegation to league one and failed attempt to get promoted back to the Championship, but a detailed look at the Premier League years before our relegation would be great, also looking at how things went after STID. The amount of bad luck and awful decisions and from board level down to the pitch is staggering. In the Ellis Short era, and then the Stewart Donald era. -England losing against Iceland essentially resulting in us losing Allardyce, a great manager for us at the time, only for him to be sacked by England after 1 game. -At one point having the 6th highest wage bill in the Premier League with nothing really to show for it. -The purchase of Ricky Alvarez, not playing him, trying to back out of signing him, losing a lawsuit to Inter Milan and still suffering financial implications to this day. -Signing the appalling Jack Rodwell and being financially crippled for years again -Playing Adam Johnson when the execs knew he was under investigation for sexual activity with a child. -Well known drinking culture among players, general poor professionalism. -Darron Gibson getting arrested for drink driving after a car crash. Gibson also filmed on social media off his tits bad mouthing the team and manager whilst still a player. -Losing twice at Wembley in League 1 including in the playoff final in the 95th minute. -Missing out on the playoffs after the season was cancelled due to COVID -Losing again in the playoffs last season I think its a great story for Alfie to get his teeth into.

[@highdefinitionstanleytm9614]

Yes you had it shit but as a leeds fan stick in there and im sure in 15 years or so you might get back.

[@MenWithVen]

@@highdefinitionstanleytm9614 What Alfie said about Hull made me sympathise greatly with him. Theres been heaps of clubs especially in the lower leagues with awful ownership and misfortune recently, yet we keep hearing about how hard done by Newcastle have been, since Mike Ashley has been their owner they have largely been a stable PL club, had a run in Europe, finished in the top 5. Like Alfie said, hes still an awful person and still made incredibly poor decisions, it just feels insulting to the countless other clubs who have endured worse, especially when his supposed appalling ownership is used to justify Saudi ownership

[@Cal2929]

Oh wow, they got relegated twice. Clubs much worse off than them...

[@MenWithVen]

@@Cal2929 we were close to financial ruin, 150million in debt at one point, paying players who no longer played for us, selling off any academy prospect with any worth for peanuts, selling top scorers in January in both our championship relegation season, and first failed league promotion pushes. It's a big story with a lot of aspects

[@Cal2929]

@@MenWithVen Like I say theres been worse off.

[@Elliot-T]

I agree with you 100%. However from a national perspective, football is the UK's biggest export, and often a loss making business, unfortunately the quality of life for UK citizens may well depend on the investment football is able to attract.

[@MenWithVen]

Football is not the UKs biggest export. And football in the UK wasn't on death's door before the Saudis took over. At least not at Premier league level. So the future of football was not dependent on this.

[@Elliot-T]

@@MenWithVen No, but people forget the benefits which come to the UK from attracting all that dirty oil money. It's preferable to live in an idealistic world, though the reality of that is something I think most are unprepared for.

[@gordonwilson1631]

This is applied moral philosophy. Watch, listen, admire and learn.

[@homerj.simpson7562]

After all these years, the idea of football clubs having "owners" is still baffling to me.

[@robertcrisp6297]

Wow. I wasn't expecting to say this but your video has genuinely made me reflect on my initial celebrations of new ownership. I think like many Newcastle fans, all we wanted was rid of MA. It really felt like anyone else in the world will do. No one who cares about Newcastle wanted this ridiculous level of investment, we simply wanted our club to feel like our club. And maybe challenge for the odd cup now and again! I don't really understand the fall from grace that Newcastle had, it never seemed like there was a defining moment, but the good old days just keep going deeper into history. The idea of getting those days back has certainly blinded the majority of us from what's happening being closed (and sometimes wide open) doors. I personally would have been more than happy for the other 20% of the consortium to have full ownership of Newcastle. Although, I haven't looked very closely at any of the members tbh. Genuine question, do you think that Newcastle and 'Western' culture can have a positive impact on Saudi Arabia as a whole? I wonder if more integration with the modern world could drag Saudi Arabia out of the dark ages. Or am I just being naive and looking for a way to not feel quite as guilty? One way or another, I don't have to support the new owners, I certainly didn't support the old one. Regardless of who has the money, the true ownership of any club is the fans that pay their hard earned money to go watch their team knock a ball about for 90 mins. That's the bottom line. Even with all this money, I do still the support the notion of salary caps. Along with a quota to invest profits into community projects. I'm all for a level playing field and would love to see the FA, UEFA and FIFA have a moral compass one day. Love your videos, keep up the good work ✌️

[@vinhbao9738]

Salary caps??? LOL Players would leave the league to join other leagues. Listen, if you dont take dirty money other nations (like Switzerland) would gladly take it.

[@robertcrisp6297]

@@vinhbao9738 could be a global cap

[@lance8163]

I truthfully believe things need to get ‘worse’ before they can get better. People are upset with this takeover but why? Like, shouldn’t the same argument Alfie made in regards to Newcastle apply to the entire Premier League??? Every team in the premier league benefits from wealthier owners so how can someone be a fan of the league and still complain? Whether your team is owned by oil money or not, your team is benefiting from it because that money brings in more viewers and talent into the league. It’s a win-win for everyone in the league. The only ones displeased are probably the Man City’s, Man Utd’s etc because they actually have a chance to win the title.

[@Emdee47317]

@@lance8163 Oil money isn't the reason why people are worried, it's the violation of human rights.

[@moneyme9811]

You asked whether buying Newcastle can lead to the Saudi state becoming more integrated. In my opinion - No. I lived there for a few years as a kid and even at 10 I was aware of the fear the ordinary person was under in the country. The House Of Saud rules by fear. If you can imagine: what would the reaction be of the tax payers in the UK if Boris decided to spend billions on a football club? He would be completely ridiculed (more so than he is already) That’s the difference between despots with no checks on their power and wannabe despots who are constrained by democracy. I do not think the average citizen in Saudi Arabia are too happy with their money going to a football club in a foreign land and one which to be quite frank they more than likely were not aware of its existence. The idea of a foreign state investing money in anything and not expect a nice payback is unrealistic in the extreme. There is no such thing as a free lunch and I would be fearful if I supported Newcastle.

[@AndyNigel762]

Wonderfully put as always Alfie !!!

[@lcc8394]

this could be your best work to date

[@MrDavidht]

The author of this video cites Assem Allam as being a more despicable owner than Ashley. I would point out that Allam is at least an owner who is resident in the Hull area has a flourishing business in the area and as far as I know doesn't inflict zero hour contracts on his workforce. Also he has donated millions to establish a medical research facilty at Hull University. Allam is no Mike Ashley. For the record I support Hull City and as much as I do want Allam to sell (and Allam is clear he badly wants to sell the club) I do acknowledge that under his stewardship we have had our most successful period in our history, such as it is. Perhaps the narrator would like to share with us his views on our potential new owner who also comes from a country with human rites issues and doesn't seem to have a huge amount of money behind him.

[@alexanderallison7131]

Great video, Alfie

[@michaelay4900]

Day 1: 7 best individual prem performance in a season, that didn’t win him the POTY award.

[@TiNRiB]

I'd watch my back after this video Alfie!

[@Ramandeep247]

Great video Alfie! You deserve a raise from your boss.

[@SebPZLDN]

Excellent video, restoring my faith in humanity slightly 👏 the celebrations of the Saudi takeover are so nauseating and depressing.

[@xzoi7751]

I think that I, as a Saudi, reject and disgust investing in Britain, a country that killed a million Iraqis and destroyed Iraq and Afghanistan, and it has a dark and frightening history.

[@SebPZLDN]

@@xzoi7751 That's a very fair appraisal of the UK, but it doesn't take away from how dystopian and terrible MBS' rule in Saudi Arabia is, or the fact that he shouldn't have been allowed to take over an English football club.

[@xzoi7751]

@@SebPZLDN So you must talk every day about Britain’s crimes around the world and how the world, companies and people should stop any investment or dealing with Western governments and Western companies that contribute to those countries, and with all this I condemn human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. It is unacceptable, but in return it must To be more realistic and credible while your country kills a million Iraqis and destroys an entire country and participates in the invasion and destruction of Afghanistan. Here the matter is very degrading and you talk about human rights around the world while you live in Britain, and with all this British companies contribute to the Saudi economy and your government deals strongly with Saudi Arabia, and also, the British government met a week ago with the Arab Gulf states to raise the level of trade relations

[@Joelinton1892]

I appreciate this comment is 10 months old but did you not watch the video and listen to what he said about blaming the fans? 99% of fans were not celebrating MBS and Saudi Arabia ffs they were celebrating Mike Ashely going. Literally we would have celebrated ANYONE buying the club. It just so happens that it was one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world. I hope 10 months on you have gotten of your high horse and stopped judging people without fully understanding the situation. Saudi Arabia's human rights record is awful but to put that on fans who've supported the club their entire life is really unfair. At least go after the government, the Premier league or the FA.

[@SebPZLDN]

@@Joelinton1892 Yikes - you're making some big assumptions here. I didn't say I was blaming the whole fanbase. We all saw some fans celebrating their new owners (some even dressing up like them at the stadium etc.), and read plenty of comments praising MBS from others. Or you had well known supporters like True Geordie excusing the new owners (Alfie also made a video on that). I don't think those people represented the whole fanbase at all, and do feel sorry for all the Newcastle fans feeling stuck in a difficult situation they didn't ask for. The blame lies with the Premier League and the UK Government. However, when this first happened, seeing the select few who did celebrate the Saudis and their takeover (who were very possibly/probably a loud minority) was depressing. I never said all Newcastle fans are celebrating it and it's depressing, just that the celebrations of the Saudis we have seen are depressing, and at the time were hard to avoid.

[@ruthsingleton7753]

thank you Alfie. very good , and truthful

[@jackkineke]

Absolutely perfectly done!! Thank you for breaking down all these absurd arguments that try to defend the PIF and Premier League - this video made me not feel crazy

[@madoldbag6874]

I’ve been a lifelong supporter of football (Arsenal) But in the last couple of years I have come to despise much of the game. The only thing I really enjoy now, are these videos and Roy Keane!

[@siugaourcGOIUBGUSOCA]

I can't imagine what it must feel like for any LGBT+ Newcastle players, would they even want to play for the club anymore? It must be so difficult, and they probably have to completely hide their sexuality from their owners because of how discriminatory they are. Its organisations like these controlling football and the fact we have a World Cup in Qatar that continually imbalances the state of equality in the game, and its the reason why players in the LGBT+ community will always be anonymous and will likely continue to suffer psychologically.

[@HufflepuffDaddy]

Boo hoo. Any anonymous alphabet player still gets paid more per week than you'll ever make in a year. Who cares about their psychology when you're blind to them financially?

[@siugaourcGOIUBGUSOCA]

@@HufflepuffDaddy i tend to think mental health is actually very important regardless of income, suicide is the biggest killer of young males so i think being ‘blind to someone financially’ is the least of my worries

[@HufflepuffDaddy]

@@siugaourcGOIUBGUSOCA and, regardless of sexual orientation, how many footballers commit suicide? It is still Class structure and footballers occupy a higher class than you or I and it's created by finances. You as a person may consider suicide while a footballer will have the luxury of paying for a mental health specialist. How many footballers commit suicide over rampant Racism...or is the LGBT+ cause that much more burdening?

[@209clayton]

heres an additional point saudi arabia currently has a 10 year deal with wwe, a particular wrestler called sami zayn is banned from any of the shows.... because he is of Syrian decent

[@tomthomassony8607]

@@HufflepuffDaddy The Major General of the Royal Marines has just committed suicide due to pressures in his marriage. Mental heath affects everyone, rich and poor.

[@GM-tw4el]

I still know nothing about Newcastles new owners........

[@TwTallnightlong]

I have a few questions as opposed to rebuttals: Is it specifically immoral for Newcastle to accept the funds? What I mean by that is I can agree that the KSA has an atrocious human rights record and I'll be honest, in trying to be the optimist, I believed what Amanda Staveley was saying was true. However, now that I've watched the video, I'm convinced that NUFC is now state owned. Something I thought though is that for example the City owners during the Super League fiasco were seen to be disappointing due to their "contribution to the city". They have a woman's team, gay players, LGBTQIA+ fans. Newcastle will have the same scenario with regards to fans and player and the investors will know they can't really discriminate due the laws in this comparably more democratic country (UK). So essentially they're willing to treat humans with greater respect in this country than their own...and give a vast sum of money to a football club to thrive and succeed. I'm just thinking if the cat's out of the bag with what sportswashing is trying to achieve, can't Newcastle just (continue to) condemn the country whilst reaping the rewards of the investment? I acknowledge it's not the healthiest of relationships but maybe the optimist in me is poking out again and hoping the ownership will encourage more dialogue in which they may be advised about implementing human rights. From your previous videos I also feel there is something of a parallel with Paul Kagame from Rwanda giving money to Arsenal that could be used more wisely in and for his own country. So am I naive, delusional, falling for the sportswashing or something along those lines or do I genuinely have a point? I genuinely don't know. Also isn't this primarily the failure of the fit and proper test from both long before and in it's current state? Ultimately, Someone like Roman Abramovich who can't legally step foot in the stadium of the football club he own should surely have failed the test before, as should the KSA now. Whilst I do acknowledge that the richest will bully to get their way, with all the fake sheikhs getting as far as they do and with the real MBS getting as far as he has, there is surely a major flaw is the test that needs amending. One last thing is what do you think is an acceptable way of interacting with these countries that are "inhumane"? It often just feels that there isn't an "acceptable" way of interacting with these states, especially in the gulf States, and this seems to othering, animosity and increased islamaphobia. Simultaneously, I accept that the difference cannot just be seen as cultural. So I just want to see if people can come up with a feasible way in interaction can favourably occur.

[@wolfen210959]

Aside from Amnesty International, and the Fiancee of the murdered journalist, who have consistently criticised the Saudi Regime, most of the people who are criticising them now, did not previously care, or cared too little to express any public outrage. The largest criticisms of the Regime now are coming from the so called "big six" clubs, along with their fans, who do not want to see their stranglehold on the money generated by the EPL, challenged. After all, these are the clubs who thought they could start their own European Super League, to make themselves even more wealth, whilst sounding the death knell for the rest of the EPL. Are they protesting because of jealousy ? No, they are protesting because of self-interest. And anyone who believes for 1 minute that the European Super League would not have been bad for the EPL, just has to look at what happens before and after any Champions League or other European cup game, players' injuries mysteriously appear and disappear, so that they are available for when the clubs' need them to, to assure the club earns the most revenue it possibly can. I believe that the European Super League would have exaggerated this even more. If anyone is wondering if I am a Newcastle United fan, I am not, I support their fierce rivals Sunderland AFC. The most important question has to be, will this be good for the EPL, i believe it will. Will it be bad for the "big six", of course it will, they will have to share the wealth with another "big club".

[@jakemaddocks435]

I definitely understand where you're coming from. Is bringing mbs and the pif to the table for discussion better than cutting them out completely? I think in the ideal world that answer is yes. However the only way of getting mbs to liberalise Saudi policy would be for huge protest to voice the displeasure of those actions. That's the difference between being complicit and against Saudi legislation. The premier league won't have that chat at the table, nor will the UK government because they are completely motivated by self preservation and financial reward. So it is up to all of us to raise our displeasure not against Saudi Arabia or Saudi Arabians (or any nation or issue that is detrimental to the well being of other people), particularly the fans of football in this country, and even more emphasis on the Newcastle fans to voice their displeasure. If you told me watching my team play directly allows people to be have their human rights abused I would stop supporting my club immediately (spurs btw) and begin supporting Leyton orient. I love football, but it is just a game and no one should have to die for my personal entertainment. Until Saudi policy changes it is not possible to support Newcastle United without in turn supporting Saudi policy. Newcastle fans are clearly able to protest bad owners, we as football fans can clearly all come together to protest against bad owners, and both times it worked. If we did the same now, stopped buying tickets, stopped buying merch, stopped paying for TV services, and gave that time, money and support to our grass routes local clubs. You would instantly fix all the issues of corruption and collusion at the top of the game but also fix all the problems at the bottom of it. Should we bring the saudis to the table? Yes but only if we pull the rug from under them. The same with the city group, and the glazers and the rest of the obhorrent owners of our clubs. Maybe then they'd listen to our opinions. With regards to islamophobia, Saudi Arabia or its policy does not represent Islam. In the same way the conservative party does not represent Christendom as a whole, its an issue of Saudi Arabian government policy and bares no reflection on Muslims world wide. Hope that helps your confusion!

[@paulclayton9528]

Excellent truth spoken. What we also should be aware of, is the players who take the Knee befree a match in a stand against racism and injustices but not one word spoken against Saudi Arabia but then again the takeover will cause inflation in the game, resulting in larger wages and that in reality is all players are concerned with.

[@bernie8835]

Imagine, going from being owned by one of the UK's largest users of slave labour, to Saudi Arabia, one of the world's largest users of slave labour.

[@mrturtle6614]

Good points, and well researched. Must have taken a while, so I hope it gets views

[@AdamCanavan12]

Been waiting for this one since the announcement

[@tdyerwestfield]

Mike Ashley said he received a larger offer for Newcastle Utd, but decided to sell to the most deplorable human beings alive today.

[@Cal2929]

That was the Nazis and even then you've had football managers welcomed into football clubs with those views.....oh I wonder which club that was..

[@pringleton]

Always love your content but have to slightly disagree- I don't believe it is complete gaslighting, that would insinuate that the supporters are being deceived. The supporters know who owns the club, we know who owns the club and the Premiership know who owns the club. Stavely has just given them all the ability to hide behind her statement, that's not to criticise Newcastle fans as any would do the same as Chelsea, City, PSG etc already have. Football is deeply corrupt to its core, never think otherwise

[@jea450]

Been waiting for this video since the announcement

[@MelonGearSolid]

Slight flaw, I'd argue we do get to dictate foreign policy via our democracy. Although, the Iraq war and protests against it would shoot my argument down straight away.

[@lalitthapa101]

We don't really We don't even get to dictate our own policy domestically😂 The govt isn't run by the people.Its run by wealthy cooperations and the establishment politics.We are just a token as to be like "Look we are chosen by the people!"

[@iangascoigne8231]

Not really Adam. At least here we get to protest and you can vote the government out every five years. Do you think Saudis would be able to protest about what their government is doing to the people of Yemen?

[@MelonGearSolid]

@@iangascoigne8231 I never said that the Saudis can influence their own government/monarchy?

[@iangascoigne8231]

@@MelonGearSolid I didn’t say you did but since you mentioned what we can or can’t do with our democracy, I just pointed out that Saudi people don’t have the same privilege. I’m not even sure if they can vote.

[@beanlentil]

@@lalitthapa101 it's probably the UK and US in a nutshell

[@syahnurasyadi3840]

always enjoy your coverage... cheers mate 👍