Not all fans of Newcastle United are prepared to turn a blind eye to the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s takeover of the club. The campaign group, NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing (NUFCFAS), plans to stage a protest outside St James’ Park in Newcastle ahead of Saudi Arabia’s friendly against Costa Rica tonight. It wants to prick the consciences of fellow fans but, if past protests are anything to go by, only a handful of Newcastle’s huge fan base will turn up. It is a lonely battle at the best of times when football supporters of any team take a stand based on morality in a money-obsessed sport.
Money is the only thing that talks in football and the Saudis know this better than anyone
Campaigners lobbied both the FA and Newcastle city council to cancel the friendlies against Costa Rica and South Korea. They were ignored. The consortium that took over the club in 2021 is majority-funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
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