Paulinho Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 It’s a moronic move that will only act as a lightning rod for protests. No one else benefits from it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallowgate Toon Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 The usual suspects will be absolutely frothing at this. It seems a bit tinpot and risking a small crowd is dumb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superior Acuña Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Thought when it was first rumoured they’d at least try to pretend we’re hosting international games and yes one of the teams is Saudi Arabia. Not the Green Falcons ?????? are playing twice against a couple of other teams Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 £999,999.99 to play there, with tickets coasting between £5 and £999,999.99 for the lounge seats please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 I understand we're trying to tap into the Saudi market, but the optics hardly do us any favours regarding the "separation" argument. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kocunar Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Bring on the Saudis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paullow Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 The Friday night match should do decent numbers. 8pm, only a fiver in, generally hard to get to SJP for a competitive Newcastle match. I might be tempted to be honest, although wouldn't use up a holiday for the other match. Obviously a controversial move though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
r0cafella Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 1 minute ago, The Prophet said: I understand we're trying to tap into the Saudi market, but the optics hardly do us any favours regarding the "separation" argument. The separation argument is settled so I wouldn’t worry about that. so we are left with complaints about two countries having a game of football at our stadium. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Just now, r0cafella said: The separation argument is settled so I wouldn’t worry about that. so we are left with complaints about two countries having a game of football at our stadium. I don't particularly believe the takeover was about "separation" of KSA and PIF because there isn't any. I think it's Great North Run weekend so I don't think they'll be brilliantly attended, but it'd be cool to see a few of the sportswashing groups about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Icarus Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 15 minutes ago, r0cafella said: Does anyone care? Yes. Will anyone do anything though? No Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 I guess overall it just seems very arrogant, almost thumbing their nose at this point. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
r0cafella Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Just now, Kid Icarus said: Yes. Will anyone do anything though? No Love your brutal honesty personally I’m not sure what people will kick up a fuss about I doubt any nufc fan based in the NE cares about the Saudi national team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 That Saudi team were very watchable at the World Cup, could be a good game(s). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrone Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Only tickets available are in the east stand? Or is the website broken again ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Icarus Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 (edited) 7 minutes ago, r0cafella said: Love your brutal honesty personally I’m not sure what people will kick up a fuss about I doubt any nufc fan based in the NE cares about the Saudi national team. I just think most people who do care about it, like everyone else, probably just have bigger fish to fry than kicking off over something like this. Likewise the takeover really, it just all feels fairly trivial in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn't mean to say there's nothing to dislike about it. What I will say though, and I can't believe I didn't predict this earlier, but there's a handful of teams and players out there who are 'sportswashed' now, it's not just Newcastle. But that's where we're at now. Where any hypocrisy trumps all morality, which in turn excuses immorality. Edited August 16, 2023 by Kid Icarus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bally21 Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Personally I couldn't care less who plays at SJP. I understand it may bother some of our supporters, and I respect their viewpoint. However it will also draw criticism from the righteous masses - other clubs and their supporters, media, etc. I have no idea how this works, but I guess we get money from somewhere for hosting these fixtures in our stadium? That will ruffle feathers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBG Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Torn between wearing the white or green away shirt for these. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Props to anyone who wants to grasp the opportunity for a kind of visual protest, but I can't muster any sort of resistance or even much emotion at this point. Saudi Arabia owns us so there's gonna be lots of Saudi Arabia craic from here on in; be it green kits, the governor of their PIF being portrayed as a cuddly and whimsical grandad on Amazon, or their national team playing at SJP. Wouldn't worry about lightning rods at this point; the horse has long since bolted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Butcher Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Couldn't give a flying fuck. Hope we earn some decent coon from it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazzy Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 I'm looking forward to seeing some International football at St James's again, that's all I'm thinking about. The fact it's Saudi Arabia is by the by and I'd be going to watch it at those prices even if it was Lichtenstein vs Malta. People like to have something to be outraged about but I don't think this is worth it tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 TIL the Saudi Supercup was played at Loftus Road and Craven Cottage in 2015 and 2016 back when it was good that these things happened. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack j Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Seen quite a few saudis in their traditional clothing and with flags at the villa game mind. Only seen that once last season was about 5 blokes Was 2 separate groups of about 20 this time Must be doing trips for em Be interesting to see if they get many over for this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 (edited) There's probably a good few hundred (?) Saudi students at both unis. Plus when I did my CELTA at International House there was quite a few there. No guarentee those groups have actually flown over tbf. Edited August 16, 2023 by ponsaelius Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieDazzler Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 I think we might try and get a Brazil friendly at some point in the future with J7 and Bruno. You’d easily sell out SJP for that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Zaius Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Its fairly embarrassing like. Just feels very on the nose. Sportswashing has been around long before us but has it ever been as blatant? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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