January 24 – Newcastle United, already under pressure from human rights organisations because of their recent Saudi-led takeover, are now under renewed scrutiny for having decided to visit the country for a training camp.
Newcastle flew to Jeddah on Sunday – the day after a vital 1-0 win over Leeds Untied – for a week-long warm-weather camp with their next league game not until 8 February against Everton.
The controversial takeover in October led to questions about whether it was an attempt to “sportswash” Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Saudi’s Public Investment Fund holds an 80% in Newcastle and Amnesty International said it was uncomfortable about the training trip.
“It could turn into another PR opportunity for the Saudi authorities who are trying to sportswash their appalling human rights record,” a spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, whose side sit second bottom after winning only one game, argued: “It’s a football decision. We’re doing it for the benefit of the players in our fight to stay in the division and that’s my only thought. The facilities and everything around the trip are going to be first class and the players will be very well looked after.”
And about the money
While the team will be warming themselves in their new majority owner’s country, the club’s new management team will be battling the old owner, Mike Ashley, over what he sees is the breach of the terms of a £10 million loan he provided to help see through the £300 million sale.
Amanda Staveley, who owns 10% of the club (the Saudi Public Investment Fund owns 80%) is being chased for a full repayment, immediately, of the £10 million loan by Ashley.
He claims that by removing the advertising signage promoting Sports Direct at St James Park before the end of the season, is a breach of their agreement.
Staveley made a big public show at the end of last year of removing the signage once the Premier League rules allowed the club to do so. Ashley, perhaps understandably, wants his cash back now and is making a similar public show in a London High Court.
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