Sunderland will face Saudi Arabian opposition Al Shabab in Friendly (poll in Parsnip)

[RedFlag1308]

I see your point. I don't think it's a Black and white thing though (pardon the pun). We are having a low key one-off friendly with a club which may just be loosely linked to the royal family. It's not a great look- probably on par with England playing in the World Cup. Could have easily been avoided.

I think it differs in that international teams don’t really have a choice over where the World Cup is. That bag of shit Sartori actively sought out these criminals to arrange a game.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Link?

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[Hyltons finest]

Despite my points however, I do agree it was a daft decision from the club and they clearly do not understand the fans views well enough

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

I honestly think kld is whoring us around the middle east looking for investment. Shame on him

More likely Sartori is there as a Uruguayan senator. There's no prospect of Saudi investment in us. If he was somewhere in the UAE, you may have had a point.

 

[CissesUnderpants9]

Despite my points however, I do agree it was a daft decision from the club and they clearly do not understand the fans views well enough

Or just don’t care,

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

NOW you are starting to understand why foreign billioanires buy football clubs..its the access/networking it gives them...

Of course, being a senior politician doesn't do that.

 

[kildaremackem]

Of course, being a senior politician doesn't do that.

i did think about that point..but is a senator a big enough deal to get that meeting? he isnt a minister or anything? obviosuly i dont know how senior the person he is meeting of course

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

i did think about that point..but is a senator a big enough deal to get that meeting? he isnt a minister or anything? obviosuly i dont know how senior the person he is meeting of course

A diplomat in Uruguay? I’m guessing not very senior at all

 

[ilovehorswill]

Yep, still don't get it. He's also referred to a load of bad PR at the beginning which has nothing to do with the current ownership. It's a friendly in a neutral territory, what has their club and players done wrong?

That article makes things worse imo. Would have been better if it was ignored and mentioned at the next RAWA meeting.

I have a feeling we’re going to find out.

How can it be kept quiet after what happened to the mags? They are loving it bless them.

 

[The Rat]

I don’t say the big deal

The mags have always tried to use stuff like this and the fact the UK has a working relationship with the Saudi’s has justification

It’s not

Being owned by a state and having them pay your wages is just not even comparable

It’s like poulter and Westwood and those idiots

 

[CissesUnderpants9]

More likely Sartori is there as a Uruguayan senator. There's no prospect of Saudi investment in us. If he was somewhere in the UAE, you may have had a point.

Why can’t sartori do both in fact feeling out potential investment, being the neighbourhood it’s not a certainty not on his radar. A chat in the right ear here and there, it’s possible. Depending on how he’s looking at his future involvement with the club.

 

[Far Tibetan Mountain]

This is really annoying me now.

Need to have a serious think about whether I can continue to attend matches whilst these people are in charge of my club.

Appreciate not everyone will feel as strongly, just as I appreciate that most mags don’t care as long as they are spending money and winning games.

However, I think the team I support should stand for certain things and this might be a red line for me.

This mag is learning. Boycout the Saudis.

Coincidental meeting that took place yesterday

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Isn't he a Uraguayan Senator? It could have caused a diplomatic incident if he hadn't said hello.

 

[kildaremackem]

I don’t say the big deal

The mags have always tried to use stuff like this and the fact the UK has a working relationship with the Saudi’s has justification

It’s not

Being owned by a state and having them pay your wages is just not even comparable

It’s like poulter and Westwood and those idiots

does the state of saudi own the club we are playing?

Why can’t sartori do both in fact feeling out potential investment, being the neighbourhood it’s not a certainty not on his radar. A chat in the right ear here and there, it’s possible. Depending on how he’s looking at his future involvement with the club.

he is also on the board of monaco isnt he?

 

[Father Jack Hackett]

does the state of saudi own the club we are playing?

he is also on the board of monaco isnt he?

I would have thought they effectively own all of them

 

[chunkyshanhawk53]

I don’t say the big deal

The mags have always tried to use stuff like this and the fact the UK has a working relationship with the Saudi’s has justification

It’s not

Being owned by a state and having them pay your wages is just not even comparable

It’s like poulter and Westwood and those idiots

I agree. It’s not the same at all

It’s stupid PR mind, brain dead

 

[CissesUnderpants9]

does the state of saudi own the club we are playing?

he is also on the board of monaco isnt he?

He is also a board member and vice president of AS Monaco Football Club.

 

[kildaremackem]

He is also a board member and vice president of AS Monaco Football Club.

which is part owned by the monaceque royal family...

 

[CissesUnderpants9]

which is part owned by the monaceque royal family...

Business wheels within wheels.

 

[chriswallace85]

What an horrendous decision by the club.

 

[Father Jack Hackett]

I agree. It’s not the same at all

It’s stupid PR mind, brain dead

It really is stupid mind. At a time when these hideous regimes are being brought into sharp focus via sportswashing, we could have played anyone but have announced this. Ridiculous.