ponsaelius Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Pre-season friendlies in the Saudi heat sounds horrendous/impossible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 A lot of Saudi Twitter accounts saying they’re now Newcastle fans, no doubt we’ll be playing pre or end of season friendlies over there soon. I think once they get a taste of Geordie passion at a pumped up St James, they'll be hooked tbh. They'll think fuck yeah, we bought the right club. Or words to that effect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Howaythetoon Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 I have a few friends who were born their/families born there and they are fanatical footy people. Most support Man Utd/Liverpool of the PL teams. I’ve actually had some canny whatsapp chats over this with a few of them with interesting thoughts. Might make a post about it later... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimistic Nut Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 This is the King Fahd Stadium. No doubt still hot but... The cost of construction was about 1.912 billion Saudi riyals or $510 million.[1] The stadium's roof shades over 67,000 seats and covers an area of 47,000 square feet. The 24 columns are arranged in a circle with a 247-metre diameter. The huge umbrella keeps the sun off the seats and concourse slabs, providing shade and comfort in the hot desert climate. The first goal in an official game was scored by Majed Abdullah. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRL Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 We sat back with the rest of the UN and let mass genocide happen in the Bosnia and the Balkans, and Rwanda, sat back watched it happen. China executes thousands of it's own citizens every year. Russia with their invasion of Ukraine. There's loads of countries you could add to a list of unsuitability. The rights and wrongs are there for everyone to see, should it be matter when it comes to sport ? Saudi Arabia is changing for the better, and fairly rapidly, should that be taken in to account ? I don't know, is it OK ? No one is ever going to be happy. Selfishly getting rid of the animal who owns us, from the Purgatory we're in is welcome. Personally i wish it was someone with cleaner CV, but it is what it is. That’s not true though is it? Yes, it is true. Having spent time there with work (our company has since disinvested, some macro reasoning but also based on valuations), I have spoken to tens if not hundreds of people in their twenties and thirties in Riyadh who are open, global and good people who have studied outside Saudi and want to see and be part of it become a more open and tolerant society, while also being fiercely proud of their country and their religion. Saudi Arabia has a million miles to go to become close to being as progressive and advanced in certain areas as they could and should be if held to Western standards, but if you genuinely think they aren't moving forward in this regard when you look at generational trends, then you've not looked beyond headlines in the last few years. By way of a very obvious example, last time I was there several meetings with big banks and the regulator were led by females. Something this simple was inconceivable until fairly recently. Are they trying to use sports to improve their global standing and become more integrated in the western world? Absolutely. Does this make me feel uncomfortable when associated with my team? In some ways it does, in others I'm fairly accepting that this is cause and effect of broader society these days. Am I going to stop following / not attend games as a result? No, it means too much and it's been way too long since I've been able to truly enjoy watching Newcastle. If this comes off then it's mine and my dad's time to get to games and have some hope while he's still able. If it makes me a hypocrite so be it. It does get somewhat boring reading the standard left sided trope rolled out whenever it can be applied of Saudi (or US, or Israel) bad and evil without any balancing factors for the other sides involved in these proxy wars and nothing more than rudimentary understanding of the underlying centuries of religious and political discourse that have got the world to where it is. It becomes even more taxing watching it played out on a football forum. But such is life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 We sat back with the rest of the UN and let mass genocide happen in the Bosnia and the Balkans, and Rwanda, sat back watched it happen. China executes thousands of it's own citizens every year. Russia with their invasion of Ukraine. There's loads of countries you could add to a list of unsuitability. The rights and wrongs are there for everyone to see, should it be matter when it comes to sport ? Saudi Arabia is changing for the better, and fairly rapidly, should that be taken in to account ? I don't know, is it OK ? No one is ever going to be happy. Selfishly getting rid of the animal who owns us, from the Purgatory we're in is welcome. Personally i wish it was someone with cleaner CV, but it is what it is. That’s not true though is it? Yes, it is true. Having spent time there with work (our company has since disinvested, some macro reasoning but also based on valuations), I have spoken to tens if not hundreds of people in their twenties and thirties in Riyadh who are open, global and good people who have studied outside Saudi and want to see and be part of it become a more open and tolerant society, while also being fiercely proud of their country and their religion. Saudi Arabia has a million miles to go to become close to being as progressive and advanced in certain areas as they could and should be if held to Western standards, but if you genuinely think they aren't moving forward in this regard when you look at generational trends, then you've not looked beyond headlines in the last few years. By way of a very obvious example, last time I was there several meetings with big banks and the regulator were led by females. Something this simple was inconceivable until fairly recently. Are they trying to use sports to improve their global standing and become more integrated in the western world? Absolutely. Does this make me feel uncomfortable when associated with my team? In some ways it does, in others I'm fairly accepting that this is cause and effect of broader society these days. Am I going to stop following / not attend games as a result? No, it means too much and it's been way too long since I've been able to truly enjoy watching Newcastle. If this comes off then it's mine and my dad's time to get to games and have some hope while he's still able. If it makes me a hypocrite so be it. It does get somewhat boring reading the standard left sided trope rolled out whenever it can be applied of Saudi (or US, or Israel) bad and evil without any balancing factors for the other sides involved in these proxy wars and nothing more than rudimentary understanding of the underlying centuries of religious and political discourse that have got the world to where it is. It becomes even more taxing watching it played out on a football forum. But such is life. Just a brilliant post. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 We sat back with the rest of the UN and let mass genocide happen in the Bosnia and the Balkans, and Rwanda, sat back watched it happen. China executes thousands of it's own citizens every year. Russia with their invasion of Ukraine. There's loads of countries you could add to a list of unsuitability. The rights and wrongs are there for everyone to see, should it be matter when it comes to sport ? Saudi Arabia is changing for the better, and fairly rapidly, should that be taken in to account ? I don't know, is it OK ? No one is ever going to be happy. Selfishly getting rid of the animal who owns us, from the Purgatory we're in is welcome. Personally i wish it was someone with cleaner CV, but it is what it is. That’s not true though is it? Yes, it is true. Having spent time there with work (our company has since disinvested, some macro reasoning but also based on valuations), I have spoken to tens if not hundreds of people in their twenties and thirties in Riyadh who are open, global and good people who have studied outside Saudi and want to see and be part of it become a more open and tolerant society, while also being fiercely proud of their country and their religion. Saudi Arabia has a million miles to go to become close to being as progressive and advanced in certain areas as they could and should be if held to Western standards, but if you genuinely think they aren't moving forward in this regard when you look at generational trends, then you've not looked beyond headlines in the last few years. By way of a very obvious example, last time I was there several meetings with big banks and the regulator were led by females. Something this simple was inconceivable until fairly recently. Are they trying to use sports to improve their global standing and become more integrated in the western world? Absolutely. Does this make me feel uncomfortable when associated with my team? In some ways it does, in others I'm fairly accepting that this is cause and effect of broader society these days. Am I going to stop following / not attend games as a result? No, it means too much and it's been way too long since I've been able to truly enjoy watching Newcastle. If this comes off then it's mine and my dad's time to get to games and have some hope while he's still able. If it makes me a hypocrite so be it. It does get somewhat boring reading the standard left sided trope rolled out whenever it can be applied of Saudi (or US, or Israel) bad and evil without any balancing factors for the other sides involved in these proxy wars and nothing more than rudimentary understanding of the underlying centuries of religious and political discourse that have got the world to where it is. It becomes even more taxing watching it played out on a football forum. But such is life. Interesting post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 We sat back with the rest of the UN and let mass genocide happen in the Bosnia and the Balkans, and Rwanda, sat back watched it happen. China executes thousands of it's own citizens every year. Russia with their invasion of Ukraine. There's loads of countries you could add to a list of unsuitability. The rights and wrongs are there for everyone to see, should it be matter when it comes to sport ? Saudi Arabia is changing for the better, and fairly rapidly, should that be taken in to account ? I don't know, is it OK ? No one is ever going to be happy. Selfishly getting rid of the animal who owns us, from the Purgatory we're in is welcome. Personally i wish it was someone with cleaner CV, but it is what it is. That’s not true though is it? Yes, it is true. Having spent time there with work (our company has since disinvested, some macro reasoning but also based on valuations), I have spoken to tens if not hundreds of people in their twenties and thirties in Riyadh who are open, global and good people who have studied outside Saudi and want to see and be part of it become a more open and tolerant society, while also being fiercely proud of their country and their religion. Saudi Arabia has a million miles to go to become close to being as progressive and advanced in certain areas as they could and should be if held to Western standards, but if you genuinely think they aren't moving forward in this regard when you look at generational trends, then you've not looked beyond headlines in the last few years. By way of a very obvious example, last time I was there several meetings with big banks and the regulator were led by females. Something this simple was inconceivable until fairly recently. Are they trying to use sports to improve their global standing and become more integrated in the western world? Absolutely. Does this make me feel uncomfortable when associated with my team? In some ways it does, in others I'm fairly accepting that this is cause and effect of broader society these days. Am I going to stop following / not attend games as a result? No, it means too much and it's been way too long since I've been able to truly enjoy watching Newcastle. If this comes off then it's mine and my dad's time to get to games and have some hope while he's still able. If it makes me a hypocrite so be it. It does get somewhat boring reading the standard left sided trope rolled out whenever it can be applied of Saudi (or US, or Israel) bad and evil without any balancing factors for the other sides involved in these proxy wars and nothing more than rudimentary understanding of the underlying centuries of religious and political discourse that have got the world to where it is. It becomes even more taxing watching it played out on a football forum. But such is life. Much needed balance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Pre-season friendlies in the Saudi heat sounds horrendous/impossible. As ridiculous as a world cup in Qatar ? Anyhow, as much as I despise Amazon I used them when it was the only place to get the latest Houndstooth album, as much as I dislike them I'm not about to cut my nose off to spite my face especially when it will have little wider effect beyond making me feel better about myself. Saying that I have 1 year left on my deal, had hoped this season finishing was the end and may well stop then regardless as I've became increasingly bored with top level moneyball and its rare that I'm genuinely excited by what I watch. Recently ASM, last seasons Ajax and Munich this season, if this thing does happen I want us to be an exciting watch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wullie Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 We sat back with the rest of the UN and let mass genocide happen in the Bosnia and the Balkans, and Rwanda, sat back watched it happen. China executes thousands of it's own citizens every year. Russia with their invasion of Ukraine. There's loads of countries you could add to a list of unsuitability. The rights and wrongs are there for everyone to see, should it be matter when it comes to sport ? Saudi Arabia is changing for the better, and fairly rapidly, should that be taken in to account ? I don't know, is it OK ? No one is ever going to be happy. Selfishly getting rid of the animal who owns us, from the Purgatory we're in is welcome. Personally i wish it was someone with cleaner CV, but it is what it is. That’s not true though is it? Yes, it is true. Having spent time there with work (our company has since disinvested, some macro reasoning but also based on valuations), I have spoken to tens if not hundreds of people in their twenties and thirties in Riyadh who are open, global and good people who have studied outside Saudi and want to see and be part of it become a more open and tolerant society, while also being fiercely proud of their country and their religion. Saudi Arabia has a million miles to go to become close to being as progressive and advanced in certain areas as they could and should be if held to Western standards, but if you genuinely think they aren't moving forward in this regard when you look at generational trends, then you've not looked beyond headlines in the last few years. By way of a very obvious example, last time I was there several meetings with big banks and the regulator were led by females. Something this simple was inconceivable until fairly recently. Are they trying to use sports to improve their global standing and become more integrated in the western world? Absolutely. Does this make me feel uncomfortable when associated with my team? In some ways it does, in others I'm fairly accepting that this is cause and effect of broader society these days. Am I going to stop following / not attend games as a result? No, it means too much and it's been way too long since I've been able to truly enjoy watching Newcastle. If this comes off then it's mine and my dad's time to get to games and have some hope while he's still able. If it makes me a hypocrite so be it. It does get somewhat boring reading the standard left sided trope rolled out whenever it can be applied of Saudi (or US, or Israel) bad and evil without any balancing factors for the other sides involved in these proxy wars and nothing more than rudimentary understanding of the underlying centuries of religious and political discourse that have got the world to where it is. It becomes even more taxing watching it played out on a football forum. But such is life. Interesting post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STM Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 I have nothing but respect for those with so much principle that even if it means their own football club becoming an elite team, they still wont budge on the way they feel. It takes a strong moral compass to think that way. I'm just not wired the same. I dont disagree with many peoples views on the Saudi government, I just dont feel I have enough time on this earth to care (to this degree). I hope any crusade against human rights violations is fruitful and I wish anyone on here every success. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 We sat back with the rest of the UN and let mass genocide happen in the Bosnia and the Balkans, and Rwanda, sat back watched it happen. China executes thousands of it's own citizens every year. Russia with their invasion of Ukraine. There's loads of countries you could add to a list of unsuitability. The rights and wrongs are there for everyone to see, should it be matter when it comes to sport ? Saudi Arabia is changing for the better, and fairly rapidly, should that be taken in to account ? I don't know, is it OK ? No one is ever going to be happy. Selfishly getting rid of the animal who owns us, from the Purgatory we're in is welcome. Personally i wish it was someone with cleaner CV, but it is what it is. That’s not true though is it? Yes, it is true. Having spent time there with work (our company has since disinvested, some macro reasoning but also based on valuations), I have spoken to tens if not hundreds of people in their twenties and thirties in Riyadh who are open, global and good people who have studied outside Saudi and want to see and be part of it become a more open and tolerant society, while also being fiercely proud of their country and their religion. Saudi Arabia has a million miles to go to become close to being as progressive and advanced in certain areas as they could and should be if held to Western standards, but if you genuinely think they aren't moving forward in this regard when you look at generational trends, then you've not looked beyond headlines in the last few years. By way of a very obvious example, last time I was there several meetings with big banks and the regulator were led by females. Something this simple was inconceivable until fairly recently. Are they trying to use sports to improve their global standing and become more integrated in the western world? Absolutely. Does this make me feel uncomfortable when associated with my team? In some ways it does, in others I'm fairly accepting that this is cause and effect of broader society these days. Am I going to stop following / not attend games as a result? No, it means too much and it's been way too long since I've been able to truly enjoy watching Newcastle. If this comes off then it's mine and my dad's time to get to games and have some hope while he's still able. If it makes me a hypocrite so be it. It does get somewhat boring reading the standard left sided trope rolled out whenever it can be applied of Saudi (or US, or Israel) bad and evil without any balancing factors for the other sides involved in these proxy wars and nothing more than rudimentary understanding of the underlying centuries of religious and political discourse that have got the world to where it is. It becomes even more taxing watching it played out on a football forum. But such is life. Superb post. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theregulars Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Greg[/member] on from 23:30 and start of second link. https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1587297600/1587301200/ https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1587297600/1587303000/ Lololololol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafalove Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 We sat back with the rest of the UN and let mass genocide happen in the Bosnia and the Balkans, and Rwanda, sat back watched it happen. China executes thousands of it's own citizens every year. Russia with their invasion of Ukraine. There's loads of countries you could add to a list of unsuitability. The rights and wrongs are there for everyone to see, should it be matter when it comes to sport ? Saudi Arabia is changing for the better, and fairly rapidly, should that be taken in to account ? I don't know, is it OK ? No one is ever going to be happy. Selfishly getting rid of the animal who owns us, from the Purgatory we're in is welcome. Personally i wish it was someone with cleaner CV, but it is what it is. That’s not true though is it? Yes, it is true. Having spent time there with work (our company has since disinvested, some macro reasoning but also based on valuations), I have spoken to tens if not hundreds of people in their twenties and thirties in Riyadh who are open, global and good people who have studied outside Saudi and want to see and be part of it become a more open and tolerant society, while also being fiercely proud of their country and their religion. Saudi Arabia has a million miles to go to become close to being as progressive and advanced in certain areas as they could and should be if held to Western standards, but if you genuinely think they aren't moving forward in this regard when you look at generational trends, then you've not looked beyond headlines in the last few years. By way of a very obvious example, last time I was there several meetings with big banks and the regulator were led by females. Something this simple was inconceivable until fairly recently. Are they trying to use sports to improve their global standing and become more integrated in the western world? Absolutely. Does this make me feel uncomfortable when associated with my team? In some ways it does, in others I'm fairly accepting that this is cause and effect of broader society these days. Am I going to stop following / not attend games as a result? No, it means too much and it's been way too long since I've been able to truly enjoy watching Newcastle. If this comes off then it's mine and my dad's time to get to games and have some hope while he's still able. If it makes me a hypocrite so be it. It does get somewhat boring reading the standard left sided trope rolled out whenever it can be applied of Saudi (or US, or Israel) bad and evil without any balancing factors for the other sides involved in these proxy wars and nothing more than rudimentary understanding of the underlying centuries of religious and political discourse that have got the world to where it is. It becomes even more taxing watching it played out on a football forum. But such is life. Well thought out post. If may I ask what’ exactly is stopping them from moving faster and say bringing in democracy or allowing journalists to be more critical or allowing homosexuality? Say in ten years what kind of regime will we be looking at? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 It was quite something when Danny Murphy proclaimed Newcastle had a train station and a river. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Logic Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Well thought out post. If may I ask what’ exactly is stopping them from moving faster and say bringing in democracy or allowing journalists to be more critical or allowing homosexuality? Say in ten years what kind of regime will we be looking at? The 'old guard'. You can't change a 1,000 plus years of belief systems without ruffling (dare I say incendiary) feathers. I suspect that's been behind a few of the arrests in family circles. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Logic Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Well done by the way Greg, you handled it eloquently and with aplomb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STM Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 It was quite something when Danny Murphy proclaimed Newcastle had a train station and a river. Mills I thought? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 It was quite something when Danny Murphy proclaimed Newcastle had a train station and a river. Should have called him out on it, two train stations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manorpark Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 It was quite something when Danny Murphy proclaimed Newcastle had a train station and a river. Should have called him out on it, two train stations. How many rail stations are there in Newcastle? 21 stations, as far as I can work out, 19 of which are Metro Stations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sho Time Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Question to anyone that is slightly educated in this - I was reading the F365 article around Samuel's article and Ashley whinging he hasn't got enough money and the end alludes to Ashley potentially asking for another £40m once everything has been done and dusted with the PL and it is all agreed... is this even feasible? By my understanding the agreed price is the agreed price and surely the documentation on companies house is evidence enough and cannot be backed-out on (only if the buyers weren't able to stump up the cash). Can anyone shed any light? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Logic Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Samuel's is a dick is the only answer you need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenBartonCentrePartin Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 It was quite something when Danny Murphy proclaimed Newcastle had a train station and a river. Should have called him out on it, two train stations. Two rivers anarl. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafalove Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Well thought out post. If may I ask what’ exactly is stopping them from moving faster and say bringing in democracy or allowing journalists to be more critical or allowing homosexuality? Say in ten years what kind of regime will we be looking at? The 'old guard'. You can't change a 1,000 plus years of belief systems without ruffling (dare I say incendiary) feathers. I suspect that's been behind a few of the arrests in family circles. So is MBS a fairly modern liberal guy? If he had it completely his way would he allow any of those things I mentioned in my previous post? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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