This afternoon, the widow of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi has released the statement she’s now sent to the Premier League, urging them to reconsider in light of a potential Saudi-backed takeover at St James’ Park.
You may be wondering ‘why is this relevant?’, however Saudi PIF chief Mohammed Bin Salman has long since been accused of making the order for Khashoggi’s assassination in 2018.
It’s a serious matter and hugely sensitive subject for Hatice Cengiz – Khashoggi’s grieving widow – yet some of the responses I’ve seen from Newcastle fans in reaction to her latest tweet (which includes the statement she’s sent to the Premier League) are absolutely disgusting and inhumane.
“Sorry for your loss pet, now shove off“….”Keep on moaning, he’ll get what he wants” are a few of many examples, along with groups mocking her for the odd spelling error. I mean come on..
If you’re a Newcastle fan slating a grieving woman seeking justice all because you’re scared of her impacting a Newcastle United takeover, you need to take a serious look at yourself and think before you type.
This isn’t an anti-Newcastle article, so please don’t call me an undercover Mackem or suggest I’m supporting the derailment of a takeover by defending her.
We all want this takeover to happen, but if you let your desperation for a deal cloud your judgement on such a sensitive matter then you can’t complain about the criticism we’ll face should this Saudi-backed deal go through.
One thing that must be said is that those who are responding awfully to the above post do NOT represent your every day Newcastle United fan. Sadly, though, there’s idiots in every fanbase and Twitter gives so many the perfect platform to show their true colours with no repercussions.
The worst part of it is how disgusting it is to see our own fans reacting so inhumanely, but the knock-on effect of how it makes us look as a fanbase is also infuriating.
I don’t think it will stop the takeover – and I don’t think it should based on my belief that so many Billionaire owners in the Premier League will have their own dirty laundry if the Premier League decided to dig deep enough – but we’re not going to come out of this looking good if we don’t even bother listen to the issues being raised surrounding the Saudis.
If you want to rant at Richard Keys and BeIN Sports for their last ditch efforts to block this deal – that’s great – but the siege mentality against serious and sensitive issues that are rightfully being brought up needs to stop.
Yes – but who says it’s Newcastle fans doing this? There’s an awful lot of devious media and social media work going on at the moment to stop this takeover. Wouldn’t believe everything you hear.
taken4mugs(Quote)
Hey sorry for that’s womens loss but business is business and wether the deal goes thru or not these human rights are still gonna go on. Also trying to get the government involved wit this when they have such a fight on their hands controlling this epedemic, isn’t fair either.
Browny(Quote)
Unfortunately there are idiot’s in all walks of life.but stop assuming that that message came from someone who is claiming to be a fan of nufc.its not on.and this kind of abuse.and aqusations is also wrong.my heart bleeds for her to. Nufc fans aren’t in anyway that sick.hope it hope it goes through.and the prem will not be the only one keeping an eye out for the Saudis.
Rob(Quote)
Hey sorry for ya loss pet but we are gonna be taken over by these great people who are going to take newcastle united right to the top .get top class owners top class managers top class footballers and we’ve always had our top class supporters so hurry up green light .howdy the lads and lasses
Julie Dunn(Quote)
This is the open discussion you want Olly? You should get in touch with Troy’s brother to turn this into a political blog as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Obviously, we need a centre forward. In my opinion that would be Edinson Cavani because he is a free agent and brilliant. Then a back up.
An attacking midfielder. Any suggestions?
Then get Willems signed up if he is fit.
And a new Manager.
Fck off with the politics.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am very very sorry for this ladies loss, it was an atrocious thing to happen and she has every right to want justice, and I hope she gets it. At the same time the politicians have done very little to get justice so why take it out on newcastle fans. I have an inkling that ashley is behind this somewhere and I believe he will eventually pull out of the deal and quote that murder and the civil rights issue as his reason.
john marshall(Quote)
New owners will lift a lot of mental health off supporters once Ashley the mug goes
Johnny b(Quote)
Leave Twitter to Twitter. You cant react to that on your own blog Olly. You will end up being like them!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It can be an organic discussion about the politics of this takeover Olly. But you should not feed it, You looking for clicks?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You are better than this Olly.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes, you are better than this Olly.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You are much better than this Olly.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Seriously, you are better than this Olly.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I feel for her, is she writing to all the companies PIF are buying/investing in ?
KIMTOON(Quote)
Take down this discussion topic.
This is a football site, not a politics site.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon. My head will explode if we have to get into geo-politics at the same time as getting rid of Ashley. And then there is the C-19 which means I am sitting on my couch for 5 weeks FFS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nobody should even consider taking seriously anything said on Twitter. It’s the place where people go to spout off and become the big boy or girl they’ve always wanted to be but couldn’t actually be.
Stuart79(Quote)
Yeah, I think Cavani would be good whatever his wages.
Icardi as well.
Jonny Rep, circa 1979 for Bastia at SJP would also be good.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Everybody is entitled to an opinion Olly, same as every story has two sides, yes horrific what happened to the journalist BUT…..do we actually fully know what exactly was he allegedly murdered for ? Im sure there is plenty of the British Press over the years who are dodging sticky situations from poking a nose into Nobody Elses business, considering Khashoggi was more of Western Influenced Arab when he lived in Saudi, and when he left he Media wise challenged the ethics of KSA, who are we in the West to tell other people how they should live ?? Thats the real politics this boils down to…Abramovich will ‘allegedly’ definitely have dirty hands, as will 90% of the owners in the Premiership at present day…..wrong argument Olly……should do some research and then look at both sides of the story…..To be wise in Global Politics, you keep your friends close, and your enemys closer…
Thumper(Quote)
13 priorities from the Chronic for when Stavely takes over.
I didn’t think they could count past “5 things we learned”:
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-new-owners-can-rebuild-18144252
Eric Sykes(Quote)
PS Gold & Sullivan make there money from the SEX INDUSTRY weres the Vicar…
Thumper(Quote)
It’s a company from That country not him anyway, if pushed I’d say he was probably whiter than white ??
Nothing to do with football matters full stop.
John Lunn(Quote)
Cant think of a great central midfielder we could get. Sharpy is a better scout than me. Is this Soumare from France any good? Never seen him.
We used to get League Un here on beIN sports but it got cancelled. I think it had something to do with Richard Keys hitting on the 20 years old female interns and Andy Gray nodding his head saying that was OK.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes Richard Keys says Andy, I would hit that big time. Being 60 years old and never seeing my willy for my belly for the last 20 years in Qatar I am sure she would be interested.
Fancy a game of golf with Ugly John Carver and Fat Sam. They came over last night and will be on the show. John Cross as well. The one that points the camera up his nose. And some non-league chairman.
Should be sound.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If you have never watched the Keys and Gray show you will not know what I am on about. Icedog, you know what I am saying 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Said it before and I’ll say it again. There is no takeover
Stephen(Quote)
I know it’s political but I’m speaking here about the way FOOTBALL fans have responded to it – and it’s not right.
I’m not going to take it down mate. It’s been put in the top section of the blog because it’s an opinion / discussion – which is what a lot of regulars say they want, not just news.
I’m not looking for clicks at all – I actually had plenty others articles lined up before this – but felt a need to get it off my chest and raise what I believe is a very valid argument given how many Newcastle fans are being so careless towards such a sensitive issue.
As I say in the piece, fans can’t complain about the grumblings towards us on social media, yet fuel it with such distasteful reactions to serious concerns.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
There’s absolutely loads, and it’s clear so many are ‘normal’ fans – not dodgy accounts up to no good.
Click the tweet in the article and see for yourself.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
And there’s yet another response that proves my point..
I want this takeover to happen so badly, but the ‘sorry for ya loss pet’ comment is an unbelievably ungracious response to a woman who’s seen her husband be killed. That said, you’ve helped prove my point.
You’re allowed to get excited about this – I’m not taking away from how great this could be from our club – I’m saying people can’t just turn a blind eye to the human rights record and slag off anyone who says a word against them.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Not sure how this can turn into me being in the wrong and needing to do some research, yet those who’ve reacted with zero humanity or respect to a women who’s had her husband murdered are ‘entitled to their opinion’ and defended. Unbelievable.
I don’t claim to be an expert in global politics and I never will, but I can tell when someone’s being out of order, showing our fanbase up as a result.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Alreet then Olly. You are making as much sense as a hamster boiling his own balls in peanut sauce with sides of rice pilaf and French cheese.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Referring to the article Olly. Not your retorts to others. I haven’t thought them through.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
See. If you have 200 tiwtter posts and pick 1 of them from a wind up merchant to prove your point. THEN THAT DOESNT PROVE YOUR POINT.
It is a moron on Twitter.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wheres all these QPRs come from like???.
Olly – I’m not sure you needed to make the point in all honesty mate. Every club has morons that like to identify as fans, and there will be more than one as the lovely Julie has proven.
But this clowns view is certainly in the vast majority. It’s known, and it’s a sensitive subject, but ultimately it’s not a football matter.
I feel like you have just provided another platform mate. Ultimately, regardless our opinion, we won’t change anything.
I don’t see many protester against the Saudis like they against Fat Lad though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I remember 2007 and the Toon fans celebrating the arrival of a multi billionaire owner and imagining all the great players we would get and the trophies we would win.
That did not go to plan with two relegations and some mediocre players coming and going .
Indeed we are not mathematically certain of avoiding relegation again this season .
Now it is likely we will get new owners worth £billions and it is 2007 all over again.
Let us hope that this lot can bring in the players we need , even if it just allows us to enjoy entertaining performances without having the threat of relegation hanging over us throughout the season.
sidekick(Quote)
Just got an e-mail back from Simon Jordon:
Newcastle are shyte and always will be. Where is the north? Do they even have centre partins and sunglasses in the north? Who is this Sting character. Never heard of him. Is he from up there?
OK, Palace and QPR will always be bigger. They are from Lerndon.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Best article you’ve written. Some sub-human scum coming out of the woodwork for sure.
Why has Erik Sykes got such a bee in his bonnet? Knickers are really in a twist. Clearly has a guilty conscience.
Browned off(Quote)
very sad to see most of comments on here seem to be from the same moth-breathers as dog-piled the woman on Twitter.
Have a word with yourselves. No one needs your fetid little opinion on a woman’s grief, you’re an embarrassment.
People saying ‘its not about politics’, and ‘its not relevant’- erm, when its a sovereign nation fund, and when its about Newcastle, yes it is.
seriously, get over yourself and just try shutting your mouth, when the fact of you saying something brings no benefit to you, and the fact of you shutting up for a minute means a widows nightmare isnt slightly worsened.
salvelm(Quote)
We all want Ashley out. We have to weigh up the following: 1) The heinous murder and dismemberment of a journalist on Saudi sovereign territory in in Istanbul; 2) The amputation of limbs of thieves for petty larceny; 3) The denial of rights to women {and as my deputy headmaster at school told me before my Oxford exam “some of them are quite clever”} and let’s face it, once they got the vote, everything was lost. Why have women not been allowed to drive in Saudi and why are those activists who campaigned for womens’ rights being prosecuted. Have you mentioned this Amanda? 4) the extra juducial execution of Shia activists {in a Wahebist} Sunni country for seeking rights and the denial of religous burial to the same. All against the Toon being better in the league.
Interstingly, the Reuben brothers are of Jewish extraction are they not and in business with Saudis?
Hmmm!
No doubt, other premier league clubs are jealous and are the people involved in the takeover personally guilty of 1) to 4) above? I doubt it.
The decision is complex. I favour it as the Saudis will go bust in 10 years if oil prices stay so low as they are now.
Peter D.(Quote)
Well SJP is going to be a funny old place when this lockdown is lifted – one side of the ground will have protesters wanting Ashley out … the other side will see protesters shouting Saudis not welcome – and somewhere in the middle will be Keith Downie reporting for SSN.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If people knew half of what MI6 got up to they wouldn’t be so outraged at Saudi Arabia.
Stuart79(Quote)
New thread please Olly .
KIMTOON(Quote)
agree
icedog(Quote)
What has that got to do with this article? Its about Newcastle ‘supporters’ acting with zero class towards a widowed lady.
Browned off(Quote)
Low quality contribution.
Browned off(Quote)
Good article, well written. As I understand you it was an attack on the total lack of class and respect being shown to the widow of a murdered man. A sentiment I totally agree with.
The debate on the ethics of Football club owners and the relevance to the current takeover is of course a totally different debate / thread.
There is then the third debate as to whether you support a team or club and whether that support is for all aspects of the club, including the ownership or whether you can pick and choose which bits to support and which not
PremAndUp(Quote)
Why? Genuine question as I respect you as regulars, but also struggle to see what the issue is when this is a blog (not just a site for news) and many of you have also asked for new discussion threads.
Is it because this is attracting comments from new posters you’re not used to having in your chats? Or because you don’t like the mix of politics / football?
This is the first time I’ve mixed the two in over 3 years of writing on this site (and I’ve literally written thousands of articles in that time), so I don’t quite understand why this is being shot down and ignored by a few regulars when a worrying number of NUFC fans are acting inhumanely towards elements of this takeover saga.
Should this really be ignored? Is a ‘NUFC blog’ wrong to address this when it involves our fans, our football club and how we’ll be viewed by others if some don’t wise up and think before they type?
This blog isn’t going to turn all political because of one article, but I do find it odd that people want to dismiss this and talk about whether we can sign Edinson Cavani yet when A) a takeover isn’t done yet, B) we don’t have a clue who our manager will be and C) we have no idea when the window and D) when the current season will end and new season start!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
This is regarding the ‘New thread please Olly’ comments, btw.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly it’s your call and it is good to see some new faces on the discussion topic. I brought up Cavani because I think he is the sort of player we should try for regardless of who the new manager is.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Prem – ?? Summed up perfectly mate. Spot on ??.
Every football club has morons attached to it. Look at the WH fans in their new stadium or the Man Utd fans attacking Ed Woodward’s home.
There don’t represent all fans, and the heartless comments to this lady are the voice of all NUFC fans (certainly not mine).
But this, as you say is far more complex.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Olly – Ice is a big boy and will answer for himself. But let me at least say this. He has posted on this site a very long time – certainly before I started, so as someone who was ‘new’ to the site once myself, Ice has always welcomed new posters – I’m pretty sure he’s not coming from a place of ‘new comers not welcome’ – non of the ‘few regulars’ are that way from my experience.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fair play mate, glad that’s the case as it’s only a good thing surely 🙂
I agree, would absolutely love Cavani!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly, we cannot change who are owners are, whether it be through protest or whatever, Ashley will sell us when he pleases. He has supposedly sold us to a very wealthy group, of course this group are linked to all sorts of human rights issues and it is a concern, yet there is little we can do about it.
I do not really know the ins and outs of the political issues of Saudi, i do know that MBS is trying to slowly bring about change and that much of the old draconian ways they have are more religious dictates than governmental,if what people who live and work there are to be believed.
On the question of the lady whose husband was so cruelly taken, it is sad and she does need justice but what can we realistically do about it ? I suppose we could discuss it and raise concerns with our new would be owners about it, but will it really do any good. As i said before, is she writing about all the investments PIF are involved in? Or is it just us ? and if so why?
There will always be morons on twitter among football fans, their abuse of her is vile and rightly condemned but i really don’t want us to feed the trolls which i feel you are doing Olly by highlighting it.
I had hoped that we could enjoy the hope that new ownership can bring us, and i’m not fussed who buys us so long as it’s not a patsy for Ashley to keep his mitts on any part of us. I don’t think we need untold wealth to show ambition just the desire and enough cash to at least try to compete. You won’t of seen me talking about big name signings either, i have steered clear of that until we are sold.
Most of all i’m looking forward to some entertaining football again .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Olly – as a regular myself, I don’t mind the article. But I’m not sure what you wanted to achieve with it mate?.
It’s not breaking news that we have our share of knucklehead ‘fans’, and it’s not breaking news that Twitter is a platform for some vile people – we knew that. But you also know that their comments are a reflection of the vast majority of NUFC fans.
As Prem rightly says above, there is probably 3 or 4 debates you could draw from this – some more political than others. Is your point or concern what other people may think of purchasing fanbase off the back of these comments?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I wouldn’t want Cavani. In fact he’s exactly the type of signing I hope we avoid.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Olly Hawkins:”Why? Genuine question as I respect you as regulars, but also struggle to see what the issue is when this is a blog (not just a site for news) and many of you have also asked for new discussion threads.
Is it because this is attracting comments from new posters you’re not used to having in your chats? Or because you don’t like the mix of politics / football?”
That last bit is a bit low ball Olly, we always welcome new posters as you well know.
KIMTOON(Quote)
You mustn’t have seen him play much then Sharpy. If we’re going to look at mercenaries at least make sure they are good!!! I think we will attract a few looking for a final payday and I don’t really object to that.
#BetterthananotherJoelinton
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I looked at the Financial Fair Play rules and they are pretty complicated. There are UEFA and also FA rules. I will try to sum them up as I think this takeover will happen.
1. The new owners can put in as much as they want into the Stadium, infrastructure, academy, buildings around SJP etc. No questions asked.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Very confusing opinions on this one Olly. I understand your outrage mate but the message I’d offer is stay away from bloody twitter.
georgio(Quote)
2. the rules are linked to turnover/revenue over a 3 year period. Owners are allowed to put in money but there are limits. If the money came from Nike or Puma or even Amazon with them being convinced it is an “investment for the future” I don’t think there would be a problem. The problem would be if it was a Saudi company.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
3. I think they will relax the rules anyway as this C-19 will mean a lot if clubs will be looking for outside funding. Wherever it comes from.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As I said mate, I have total respect for the regulars like Icedog and am not trying to create any issues – I just didn’t quite understand the urge to get this discussion thread removed.
That’s also good to know re. new readers/commenters, I was only wondering where the want to have a new thread replacing this came from..
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Eric – ? of course I’ve seen him play. I just think we are a couple of season off attracting a truly motivated Cavani. If he comes now it’s for huge wages, and if it’s not going great is he really gonna roll his sleeves up to push us forward, or will he think, I don’t care, I’m off to the MLS or China for crazy wages at the end of the season.
I think from our starting position right now we need the right players in mind set wise. His talent is no doubt, and he’d be a marquee player for sure – but that doesn’t make him the right type of player.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Olly – what about my second post mate?.
Also, it’s good to see YOU posting mate – it would be good to hear your thoughts on it all and your preferences on manager/players and such like.
It’s a bit like the ref doing a post match interview ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
back to Cavani though. That is exactly the sort of discussion that BELONGS on a football blog. We should be talking about who we can afford with an injection of wealth and hope. Before this takeover we would never have thought we could attract a player like that but now we can afford his 200k plus a week wages and it would be a giant leap forwards.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I got a bit p!ssed off with Miguel Delany in The Independent making the whole narrative about our proposed takeover a human rights issue and political football. It made me ultra-sensitive to getting politics onto a football blog! And don’t even bring up Richard Keys…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wow after years of absolute outrage about Ashley not paying for advertising the very same fans are happy to accept the sins of the potential new owners because they will spend some cash and we might see some good football. Unbelievable. It’s amazing how easily some people can be bought.
Actually more sad than amazing.
Aussie(Quote)
Am I one of those fans Aussie? I have never expressed any “outrage” at Fatty not paying for advertising. Never.
I actually don’t see anybody talking about Ashley not paying for advertising on here today.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Same old Aussie. Always negative. I am going back to my previous view that you and BrisV are downers. I know you don’t care. That is part of the downer mentality you both have.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Guity conscious Eric?
I love the best form of defence is atrack tactic.
Shouldn’t be surprised from you. Your insecure nature makes you lash out when threatened.
Aussie(Quote)
Aussie – who’s happy to accept there sins as you say?. Who has once said they condone or even agree with what the Saudis have done in the past.
If this takeover happens, are you turning your back on NUFC?. Is that you done with the club?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yep, you come on. Have a moan. Doesn’t really matter what the subject is, it is just to have a moan. And then disappear for 2 months until you feel it is time to have another moan about whatever… Rinse, repeat.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Aussie – I’m not being confrontational with you there by the way mate, never have been before so please don’t read it that way – I’m just asking a question ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: don’t even bother. Aussie is always negative about everything. Up is down in his world. That’s why he lives down under. He is always negative about everything. Same with BrisV.
Eric Sykes(Quote)