Newcastle's cup win and Saudi Arabia - how do fans feel?

BBC News

18-03-2025

Seventy years. That is how long Newcastle United waited to win a domestic trophy.And their fans have made up for the seven-decade drought with the way they have celebrated their Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.There have been tears, relief, pride - and, most of all, happiness.But for some - and it does not appear to be a view shared widely among Newcastle fans - there is regret.And that relates to the club's £305m takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) three years and five months ago. The PIF is Saudi's sovereign wealth fund.BBC Sport explores these conflicting emotions.
The case against 'sportswashing project'
One of the voices raising concerns is the Newcastle United Fans Against Sportswashing (NUFCFAS) group."Newcastle United's victory will also be seen as a victory for the human rights-abusing regime and their sportswashing project," the group said in a statement."We know that it should be a great day for the city of Newcastle, and many will feel that way, but for us it is unfortunately tainted by the ownership of the club."Silence on human rights is complicity in the crimes of the regime which owns our club. This is what sportswashing is all about."In addition to the financial backing from their owners, Newcastle won in a shirt sponsored by PIF-owned sports company Sela. Their sleeve sponsor was Noon - a PIF-backed retailer.Sela handed out 32,000 scarves to fans at Wembley, bearing the club's badge, the phrase 'Howay the lads' and the Sela logo.It was also behind the beaming of giant images of star players onto London's Millbank Tower on the eve of the final.Those sort of promotional campaigns are no different to what any sponsor might do to raise their profile. But critics point to Saudi Arabia facing years of criticism over subjects such as:human rights violationsthe repression of womenthe criminalisation of homosexualitythe restriction of free speechthe continued use of the death penaltythe 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggithe imprisonment of activists for online dissentthe country's involvement in the bloody conflict in YemenWhile campaigners acknowledge there have been important reforms in recent years, for example over women's rights, they also point out there has been continued repression.The takeover of Newcastle was approved in October 2021 after the Premier League received "legally binding assurances" the Saudi state would not control the club.Newcastle have previously denied accusations of sportswashing, insisting the takeover was "not the Saudi state, it's PIF". They said the deal was about growing Newcastle.John Hird, one of the founders of NUFCFAS, said he could "feel little joy" about Newcastle's cup win."I was born a Toon fan. I remember my dad crying his eyes out after he came back from the Fairs Cup win in 1969. I still have the scrapbook of the cup run he made me," said Hird."I and many other Newcastle fans were fans long before the Saudi state took over the club and we'll still be fans long after they've been forced out, and we will have stayed true to our values and working-class traditions of solidarity."
'We have no control over who owns our club' - fans react
BBC Sport asked fans who follow our Newcastle United club page what they thought of the criticism from NUFCFAS.We received many replies from different viewpoints.Here is a selection:Paul: "We have no control over who owns our club. The Saudi regime is deplorable, as are many owners of clubs throughout the league, and the fact they own most of NUFC doesn't change my opinion on them. So sportwashing, for all the Saudis spend on it, has at best a minimal benefit to them as a PR exercise."Tom: "It does taint the victory and the club, but that's not the fault of the players or fans and they should be allowed to celebrate. I've never seen so much news content about Saudi Arabia's terrible human rights record, so they are sportwashing but, at the same time, they have brought more negative attention on themselves."Luke: "Sportswashing is real. As a lifelong Newcastle fan, who has lived in Saudi Arabia, it's clear to me why countries with questionable human rights invest in sports teams. Reflected joy, glory, and of course sometimes turning a profit. It's our club regardless of who owns it. I don't want my team owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, but I can still celebrate what it means for this city and the fans to have such a historic win. But yes, it does taint it a bit for me."David: "As a lifelong Newcastle fan, I'm celebrating the end of our wait for a trophy like a fan of any other team would. I wouldn't have chosen our current owners, but it is out of my control and I don't see why I should feel guilty or shamed by it. Saudi money has kept the flat horse racing industry afloat for over 40 years, but nobody seems bothered by that."Jess: "Football has got so expensive that only oil states, billionaires or massive corporations can afford to own or sponsor clubs - so expecting ethical brands to be involved is unrealistic. People are quick to slam Newcastle for being backed by oil money, but ignore that most clubs are plastered with betting sponsors that exploit vulnerable fans. If we're going to talk about ethics in football, we need to be consistent. Otherwise it just sounds like selective outrage."Sty: "What a load of rubbish. Newcastle have had the same investment as many other clubs and nobody asks where that money has come from, do they?"Katie: "This is being questioned just because someone else is winning. We aren't the only team with questionable ownership. There are other teams owned by Chinese consortiums and other countries with questionable human rights laws. Allow a team that has waited over half a century for success to enjoy it before you start this nonsense!"
'We don't care, we're having a party'
Newcastle were relegation contenders when Eddie Howe was appointed as Steve Bruce's successor as manager in November 2021, taking over a side in 19th, winless and five points from safety.That came 13 days after the completion of the takeover, which brought an end to Mike Ashley's tumultuous 14-year spell as owner.The team have been on an upward trajectory since, with Howe leading Newcastle to survival in his first campaign, before ending the club's 20-year absence from the Champions League in his first full season and now delivering a trophy in his third.Newcastle are one of the league's biggest spenders in this time. However their ability to spend heavily has been restricted by the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in the past three transfer windows, with Alexander Isak (£60m), Sandro Tonali (£55m) and Anthony Gordon (£40m, rising to £45m) among the club's biggest outlays.The Athletic correspondent and Newcastle supporter Chris Waugh told BBC Radio 5 Live the spending power of the owners was only a "contributing factor" in the club's success."We can debate the morals [associated with the ownership], but actually for Newcastle supporters and how they follow the team, I think it has to be seen as one of the great stories," said Waugh."Has money contributed to their success? Yes, Newcastle have spent money over the past few years but not in the same ballpark in a relative sense as the biggest clubs - they haven't been able to because of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules."Asked to respond to criticism offered by other supporters - which included the morality of the club's owners, accusations of buying success and even the stature of the League Cup - Felicity Throw of the Newcastle United Supporters' Trust said: "It's our job as rival football fans to downplay achievements."Liverpool fans were disappointed to lose. They would have loved to win the League Cup. "We don't care, frankly. We are having a party. There are very strict spending laws in place. We are going to have a good day, regardless."