March to June 2020 - NEWCASTLE UTD fc

[safc_grindon]

Interesting insight and thank you for posting. It's important everyone continues to smell the odour of this proposed takeover even if your average mag doesn't.

It's hard for your average Mag not to get excited by it all - NUFC is their world, and they don't want to look past that. After years of utter shite - no serious trophy since the 50s (Fairs Cups Shmairs Cup), they think their chance has come at last. And maybe it has.

But there's a line between "it goes on, it's awful, but what can I do?" and actively whitewashing what the House of Saud is and does - already becoming their defensive mouthpiece. The Mag's "Amnesty - just a publicity stunt" is truly sickening. Steve Wraith is another out spinning lines (although he's the last person any NUFC fan should want as a spokesman).

Serious journos are now trying to discredit this (the BeIN claim) as a Richard Keys thing - like he's the front for this, to get at NUFC? He's just a presenter. A presenter for a network that's being rinsed by SA, but still, it's not on him, this. But it helps to point at him, as she's such a bell-end. Whataboutery. He shagged his mate's daughter (allegedly), so therefore it's OK for state-sponsored piracy.

As I said, I don't think this will stop it - but more chance of this than then actual state of their nation, as that would require to much introspection country- and worldwide.

 

[woodlebert]

If there is a Newcastle message board recommended I would happily discuss with them?

Ironically, I first discovered this board via a web search for a Newcastle message board.

The google algorithm does not lie, Newcastle fans land here because you post so much Newcastle content.

Wtf were you searching for?

"Newcastle message board" throws up (surprise) Newcastle forums for me

 

[Fusco]

Not in 2017

aye, righto.

 

[safc_grindon]

What is confusing me about all this is the timing of it all.

We have no idea if/when football will restart. No one knows what TV money will be forthcoming as compensation if the season is cancelled.
We expect a recession afterwards. Football clubs all over the country are saying they may have to fold. Why would Saudi money want to conclude business now, when realistically in a few months we will better know the picture, and there may be similar or even bigger clubs desperate to sell up. Hell if it all goes pearshaped Mike Ashley might be desperate to sell. The value certainly wont be going up

I get that the Saudis might have money to lose, or that they might be gambling on the football bubble bursting and them being in a financially strong position if that happens. But thats still a huge gamble

They aren't in it to make money. Staveley will come out of this rich - that's her goal - but the Saudis are in it for different reasons.

 

[mag in peace]

Just to put some context around this.

Qatar-based BeIN are the main sports broadcaster for Asia (and other regions). They paid a lot for that - this is some of the most valuable sports television in the world, and includes the Premier League, the Champions League and the World Cup. Heavy hitters.

One of BeIN's biggest markets was Saudi - football is HUGE in Saudi - and TV and online audiences there is massive, the region's biggest. The recent fallout and blockade of Qatar (a thread in itself, but essentially "Iran") saw all ties cut, and the footy went with it, across the Middle East.

After some back and forth, some GCC countries got it back, but not Saudi, which has banned the sale of subscriptions to the network as part of the economic blockade of Qatar. Enter BeINQ, who started transmitting BeIN's output to the whole of Saudi.

BeIN have never made money since they started, but the loss of Saudi was a big blow - they had to get rid of about a fifth of their employees.

The technology needed to do what BeINQ are doing is monumental - it's been operated with signals transmitted by Arabsat, a communications company based in Saudi Arabia, with at least the tacit support of some VERY powerful figures in Saudi Arabia.

Now, definitive proof of that is another thing, but Premier League are furious, they're very protective of their content when it comes to this stuff (try putting a Premier League clip on YouTube, see how long it lasts), and they back BeIN on their claims. As do FIFA.

An investigation financed by FIFA, two of its confederations and a group of top European soccer leagues concluded “without question” that a Saudi Arabia-backed satellite provider has played a vital role in a piracy operation

If beIN withdraw from the market for those rights, it could have significant financial repercussions for FIFA, its confederations, the leagues and their teams.

Arabsat, based in Riyadh, is jointly owned by a consortium of Arab nations, Saudi Arabia is by far its biggest investor. BeoutQ itself claims to be based in Cuba and Colombia, though all evidence points to its being a Saudi-run operation with the support of powerful figures in the country, including Saud al-Qahtani, a senior aide and close advisor to... MBS.

And MBS is, among lots of other things, chairman of PIF.

All that said - will it stop the sale going through? I very much doubt it, it will need a lot more firmer evidence. But it does give you a glimpse into the part Newcastle United will be playing in SA's geopolitical games from now on. Don't expect this to be the last.

Yet a court in France found Bein sport had made unfounded claims and exhonerated Arabsat. They found no evidence to back up Bein's claims at all. Arabsat are now considering legal action for defamation was the last I'd read.

 

[Comeback_Kenwyne]

Aye there'll be no use for oil once this is all over.

With respect, I don't think you understand how the geopolitics of oil, Saudia Arabia and markets work.

Oil will not recover back to where it was before this for - best case scenario - a year after a vaccine. Likely never again. Even going into the crisis all the major oil powers - US (shale), Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia - were daggers drawn with each other for the simple fact that there is more oil being produced than we need - or at least, there isn't enough demand to sustain those five's economies at the level they are accustomed too.

Already Venezuela - another big producer - has been flattened by this dynamic. The Saudis are so vulnerable - carnage ahead there. The pandemic will flatten them and if not, good luck squaring up to those other countries in the fight over diminished supply. Bare minimum I would expect the Iran proxy war to go hot.

Aye, they're rich for now, but you couldn't honestly have timed a Saudi buyout worse.

 

[BigPete]

He is a liar and for that reason the mods should act.

Not a chance that johnaa was calling everyone freaks and saying he off to the world of deluded RTG.

Still here lol mods be loving the traffic

 

[Bear]

Whatever happens regarding a takeover we'll still win another derby against them before they win owt

 

[safc_grindon]

Yet a court in France found Bein sport had made unfounded claims and exhonerated Arabsat. They found no evidence to back up Bein's claims at all. Arabsat are now considering legal action for defamation was the last I'd read.

They found evidence of piracy, but also found that there was no evidence of "clear and illegal disruption". So, yeah, BeIN lost that, but that's not the end of it for them. Arabsat has a small presence in France, which is why they went after them there, but while they lost, they said the evidence of piracy would be used to support the their filings in separate international cases.

 

[AndyH]

You need to educate yourself mate. For what it’s worth, yes, it is my opinion that we should block tyrannical despots from investing in the UK, as it is the case with anyone else with a moral compass.

Any particular field you feel I need to educate myself more in?
If you feel that Saudi Arabia should be blocked from investing in UK and Western business might I suggest you lobby the UK government who are actively trying to promote and increase business. They are after all your elected representatives and are much better placed to change the world than Newcastle fans.

I have taken the liberty to draft a letter for you, feel free to copy and paste it.

Dear Boris

I don't like the views and practices of Saudi Arabia.
Please stop them from investing in western business, especially Newcastle United as i really don't like them.
I am very very outraged about the whole thing.

Kind Regards
A disgruntled Sunderland fan

They found evidence of piracy, but also found that there was no evidence of "clear and illegal disruption". So, yeah, BeIN lost that, but that's not the end of it for them. Arabsat has a small presence in France, which is why they went after them there, but while they lost, they said the evidence of piracy would be used to support the their filings in separate international cases.

Not wanting to split hairs but Arabsat is not trying to purchase Newcastle, The Saudi PIF is. The PIF doesn't own Arabsat the Arab League does
This whole piracy thing is the government of Qatar jousting with the Saudi government and if little relevance to any potential deal.
This deal may well fall through, nobody is more skeptical it will happen than Newcastle fans. From a personal point of view I will believe it when and if it happens but it won't fall through because Qatar doesn't like Saudi Arabia at the moment.

 

[GuestServices]

What is confusing me about all this is the timing of it all.

We have no idea if/when football will restart. No one knows what TV money will be forthcoming as compensation if the season is cancelled.
We expect a recession afterwards. Football clubs all over the country are saying they may have to fold. Why would Saudi money want to conclude business now, when realistically in a few months we will better know the picture, and there may be similar or even bigger clubs desperate to sell up. Hell if it all goes pearshaped Mike Ashley might be desperate to sell. The value certainly wont be going up

I get that the Saudis might have money to lose, or that they might be gambling on the football bubble bursting and them being in a financially strong position if that happens. But thats still a huge gamble

I said this the other day, doesnt make any sense in business terms buying a football club now. Quite the opposite tbh

With respect, I don't think you understand how the geopolitics of oil, Saudia Arabia and markets work.

Oil will not recover back to where it was before this for - best case scenario - a year after a vaccine. Likely never again. Even going into the crisis all the major oil powers - US (shale), Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia - were daggers drawn with each other for the simple fact that there is more oil being produced than we need - or at least, there isn't enough demand to sustain those five's economies at the level they are accustomed too.

Already Venezuela - another big producer - has been flattened by this dynamic. The Saudis are so vulnerable - carnage ahead there. The pandemic will flatten them and if not, good luck squaring up to those other countries in the fight over diminished supply. Bare minimum I would expect the Iran proxy war to go hot.

Aye, they're rich for now, but you couldn't honestly have timed a Saudi buyout worse.

good post

 

[Hyltons finest]

If there is a Newcastle message board recommended I would happily discuss with them?

Ironically, I first discovered this board via a web search for a Newcastle message board.

The google algorithm does not lie, Newcastle fans land here because you post so much Newcastle content.

So you've searched for a newcastle message board, found this one quite clearly a sunderland one, thought they post a lot about the team I support, newcastle, and so joined them, pretending to be a sunderland fan. Do you have some sort of mental illness or are you just that f***ing weird

 

[Shieldsman]

Any particular field you feel I need to educate myself more in?
If you feel that Saudi Arabia should be blocked from investing in UK and Western business might I suggest you lobby the UK government who are actively trying to promote and increase business. They are after all your elected representatives and are much better placed to change the world than Newcastle fans.

I have taken the liberty to draft a letter for you, feel free to copy and paste it.

Dear Boris

I don't like the views and practices of Saudi Arabia.
Please stop them from investing in western business, especially Newcastle United as i really don't like them.
I am very very outraged about the whole thing.

Kind Regards
A disgruntled Sunderland fan

Not wanting to split hairs but Arabsat is not trying to purchase Newcastle, The Saudi PIF is. The PIF doesn't own Arabsat the Arab League does
This whole piracy thing is the government of Qatar jousting with the Saudi government and if little relevance to any potential deal.
This deal may well fall through, nobody is more skeptical it will happen than Newcastle fans. From a personal point of view I will believe it when and if it happens but it won't fall through because Qatar doesn't like Saudi Arabia at the moment.

For you to openly admit you don’t know anything about Bin Salman suggests you’re oblivious to the wider world outside of Benwell/Byker/Cowgate/Fawdon (delete as applicable).
Morality is an area you’d be well advised to read into. It will serve you well in later life.

 

[safc_grindon]

Any particular field you feel I need to educate myself more in?
If you feel that Saudi Arabia should be blocked from investing in UK and Western business might I suggest you lobby the UK government who are actively trying to promote and increase business. They are after all your elected representatives and are much better placed to change the world than Newcastle fans.

I have taken the liberty to draft a letter for you, feel free to copy and paste it.

Dear Boris

I don't like the views and practices of Saudi Arabia.
Please stop them from investing in western business, especially Newcastle United as i really don't like them.
I am very very outraged about the whole thing.

Kind Regards
A disgruntled Sunderland fan

Not wanting to split hairs but Arabsat is not trying to purchase Newcastle, The Saudi PIF is. The PIF doesn't own Arabsat the Arab League does
This whole piracy thing is the government of Qatar jousting with the Saudi government and if little relevance to any potential deal.
This deal may well fall through, nobody is more skeptical it will happen than Newcastle fans. From a personal point of view I will believe it when and if it happens but it won't fall through because Qatar doesn't like Saudi Arabia at the moment.

True, although the Saudis own 37 per cent of it, and it's headquartered in Saudi. And to be clear - MBS is Saudi - certainly when it comes to control, anyway. But you're right, it all adds to the legality of it all, and proving it (Narrator's voice: "We all know it's the Saudis").

I don't think the deal will fall through either, but this - and not, well, everything else - would actually be more of a case for it not. Because if you did look at everything else, then we'd have to start doing that country wide, and that's not happening. But what they're doing, as far as football is concerned, is a direct attack at their business model. And that bothers them a lot more than all that war, human rights and murder stuff.

It's also a little more than Qatar doesn't like Saudi (and, not wanting to split hairs either, but Saudi instigated the blockade, not Qatar), and it's had serious repercussions across the GCC - you can't even get a flight to and from there now - so it's not something to be taken lightly. Another bone to throw into that pot though - the World Cup in Qatar. That'll strengthen the Qatari case. But - not enough to halt the takeover.

It's happening, lads and lasses. Kandoras and beards at SJP when football and that famous geordie wit return.

 

[Vauxie]

Its reet like, no need to pay for Bein over here.

 

[Squat]

if it looks like being a PR disaster, the premier league might well block it. if it doesnt look too bad for them they'll let it through. thats all they will be bothered about. and sponsors pulling out.

 

[Charmless Man]

if it looks like being a PR disaster, the premier league might well block it. if it doesnt look too bad for them they'll let it through. thats all they will be bothered about. and sponsors pulling out.

It won't be a PR disaster for them. It'll grow the league's profile in a wealthy middle eastern country.

Football in general doesn't care about sketchy governments, this won't be a blocker.

 

[Shandy drinker]

I wonder if MBS will make an appearance at Sid James' with his noocazzle scarf above his head
Love to see the scratters who will be outside cheering him on when this happens.
Bound to be a few dressed as arabs and with prayer mats, camels and box of dates from xmas
In fact is he allowed to enter the UK?

 

[NE25Jambo]

I wonder if MBS will make an appearance at Sid James' with his noocazzle scarf above his head
Love to see the scratters who will be outside cheering him on when this happens.
Bound to be a few dressed as arabs and with prayer mats, camels and box of dates from xmas
In fact is he allowed to enter the UK?

The queen threw him a state dinner.

 

[Obvious Mag]

I wonder if MBS will make an appearance at Sid James' with his noocazzle scarf above his head
Love to see the scratters who will be outside cheering him on when this happens.
Bound to be a few dressed as arabs and with prayer mats, camels and box of dates from xmas
In fact is he allowed to enter the UK?

He's besties with Boris and spends a fortune on British arms.

Allowed to enter? He'll have a red carpet and Boris and Rishi bent over backwards to say hello