Will the Saudi Consortium

[nopigfansintown]

All money is dirty and comes from one form of human exploitation or another .Objectively speaking, Saudi money is no different to any other. This western exceptionalism is nauseating tbh. The only way you can substantially clean football up is to get the big money out of the game. Good luck with that!

 

[SelbyBlade]

I apologise to Foxy and Linz

I forgot about the rules regarding political posts. My mistake.

This is important however as it may effect us. I can just about stomach the Prince as he is an individual but the Geordies were willing to sell their souls for the money. I would have to stop following us on principle if we became a PR vehicle for the Saudi State.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

All money is dirty and comes from one form of human exploitation or another .Objectively speaking, Saudi money is no different to any other.

I don’t think I could really disagree more with that, certainly not without falling foul of the forum guidelines. There is a clear dirt spectrum on where money originates from in my opinion, and the Saudi Arabian Government for me is very firmly at one end of that spectrum.

Spoiler: it’s not the good end.

 

[nopigfansintown]

I don’t think I could really disagree more with that, certainly not without falling foul of the forum guidelines. There is a clear dirt spectrum on where money originates from in my opinion, and the Saudi Arabian Government for me is very firmly at one end of that spectrum.

Spoiler: it’s not the good end.

You should check out the British government. If it's oil your interested in Iraq isn't a bad place to start.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

You should check out the British government. If it's oil your interested in Iraq isn't a bad place to start.

I’m well aware of them thanks, and I’ve got plenty of gripes with them too (though far far fewer than the regime we’re talking about). Let me know when they’re interested in investing in our club though.

 

[Bladesman]

OP a little bit edgy while ignoring all the crap that ALL governments commit.

Perhaps we could start in China, where our desire as a country for cheap consumer goods means we can ignore what goes on in their country.
Plus the UK as a country is often complicit in a lot of the apparent atrocities all over the world, if not directly through our own “dodgy” intervention but to supplying one side or another with the armoury to take an advantage that may be favourable to British assets.
All this “Saudi money this...Saudi money that”..totally hypocritical.
Not one of these billionaire types in football hasn’t got where they are without shitting on someone, or breaking the rules. They generally aren’t “decent, good people”

Anyway, that’s my political rant out the way.
The saddest part of all this is the pathetic desperation in the BBC headline regarding the collapse of the deal. Football fans can be fucking morons sometimes. “Heartbroken”...get a fucking grip. “Had a torrid time“ under Ashley while he tried to run the club in a sensible way. The sheer entitlement just because they have little else In Their lives and feel they deserve to win stuff makes my stomach churn. Almost as bad as the dimwit pigs

To be fair to Ashley he has never taken them down to League 1 and when they have been relegated to the Championship they have bounced straight back up. Where he fucks the fans off is the false hope promises, not keeping Benitez and that every takeover "bid" is usually around the time he wants them to renew season tickets.

That said their fans do have sense of entitlement that is almost on par with Arsenal fans.

 

[Grizzly blade]

And ignoring how they were up in arms about Bruce the fact is he did better than Benitez.
So proves they are no different to any other football fan and also know fuck all about football.
Newcastle fans get on my tits, their self pity is as bad as Liverpool in thinking the world is against them and they deserve more just for being Newcastle.

 

[ComedyClub]

Loving all the "their money is dirty" comments yet people will happily walk round wearing Nike and Adidas whilst also shopping at Primark etc..

 

[Swannyblade]

Putting the heinous nature of the Saudi state to one side, would we really be happy to buy our way to success?
One of the most impressive aspects of our recent rise has been the way in which we've achieved our success. Wilder wasn't given a blank cheque book, we've had to make clever, thrifty signings, develop innovative tactics and hone a team spirit. Most of the pride I have for this current incarnation of the Blades is that they're constantly over achieving and punching well above their weight. They out-work and out-play other teams who have much greater resources at their disposal. Wilder and his team continue to develop and improve year on year and this progression is organic, not a steroid injection of millions of pounds. We get the plaudits because of the way we go about our business and I take pride from that. Our football doesn't rely on the outstanding skill of individuals who cost 100's of millions of pounds, it is produced from a team of players working together to be greater than the some of their parts and it's still bloody good football to watch.
I'd rather watch our lot at the Lane than have a season ticket at the Etihad.

 

[nopigfansintown]

I’m well aware of them thanks, and I’ve got plenty of gripes with them too (though far far fewer than the regime we’re talking about). Let me know when they’re interested in investing in our club though.

The British government is involved in every British football club one way or another.Tax rates would be an obvious example. Where's the money come from to reduce them? This is the difficulty with casting aspersions on "dirty money". It's usually a case of "physician heal yourself".

 

[tincan]

Be funny if next week Wilder bids for Dubravka, SaintMaximin and Schar for £100m !

 

[SelbyBlade]

Loving all the "their money is dirty" comments yet people will happily walk round wearing Nike and Adidas whilst also shopping at Primark etc..

I guess you may have to point out the link between that and killing Yemeni children, killing journalists in embassies and killing persons apposed to the brutal Saudi Regime. That's before you get to the beheadings and chopping off of hands which the money from a state would be trying to hide. I don't wear Nike Adidas or shop at Primark but if I thought any of them did the atrocities that the Saudi State did I would call them out as well.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

After the failed bid for Newcastle turn their attention to us as it’s stated they may turn their attention to another premier league club

after all the Prince is related to the power behind them

just a thought

No because the same conditions would apply. They couldn’t answer the necessary questions posed by the FA regarding ownership and the TV piracy.

 

[ComedyClub]

I guess you may have to point out the link between that and killing Yemeni children, killing journalists in embassies and killing persons apposed to the brutal Saudi Regime. That's before you get to the beheadings and chopping off of hands which the money from a state would be trying to hide. I don't wear Nike Adidas or shop at Primark but if I thought any of them did the atrocities that the Saudi State did I would call them out as well.

You do realise that most of this is done by many many countries, the only difference is they hide behind a "proxy" group to do their bidding.. as for the beheadings etc, thats the laws over there, whilst not agreeable, they've made strides (admittedly small) to move forward with them.. regarding Adidas, Nike and most clothing companies. They use child labour and sweatshops to produce clothing and shoes. They get paid literally pittance. But that's capitalism for you. Kick off about paying a fair price for some shoes made in England or France, yet folk are happy to pay 100 for a pair of Nike's not knowing the kids and people who've made them have probably earned 10 pence for a days graft.

 

[PokerBlade]

No because the same conditions would apply. They couldn’t answer the necessary questions posed by the FA regarding ownership and the TV piracy.

Ah, the good old FA, don't bother to check if the Wigan owner is a real person but get real concerned about TV coverage.

 

[SelbyBlade]

No because the same conditions would apply. They couldn’t answer the necessary questions posed by the FA regarding ownership and the TV piracy.

The problem is that they could do it without the FA and Premier League. They could give the PIF money to the Prince and shove an official on the Board without having to go through the process.

 

[Jon Bon II]

Fuck it. Let's have some dirty wonga. About £300m will do nicely thank you. I don't care anymore. If you can't beat em... etc

 

[Swannyblade]

Be funny if next week Wilder bids for Dubravka, SaintMaximin and Schar for £100m !

Schar would be soo good for us

 

[Kanye]

Loving all the "their money is dirty" comments yet people will happily walk round wearing Nike and Adidas whilst also shopping at Primark etc..

Sweatshop labour is obviously a problem and it's a great shame that the companies involved aren't held accountable in some way, shape or form. However, it's really a separate issue.

Wearing Nike or Adidas doesn't exclude someone from caring about who owns their football club. You might see it as a bit hypocritical, you might have a bit of a point, but ultimately the important issue is Sheff Utd, and whoever is controlling the club.

 

[ComedyClub]

Sweatshop labour is obviously a problem and it's a great shame that the companies involved aren't held accountable in some way, shape or form. However, it's really a separate issue.

Wearing Nike or Adidas doesn't exclude someone from caring about who owns their football club. You might see it as a bit hypocritical, you might have a bit of a point, but ultimately the important issue is Sheff Utd, and whoever is controlling the club.

It is a separate issue.. but like you say, it's very hypocritical.

 

[SelbyBlade]

You do realise that most of this is done by many many countries, the only difference is they hide behind a "proxy" group to do their bidding.. as for the beheadings etc, thats the laws over there, whilst not agreeable, they've made strides (admittedly small) to move forward with them.. regarding Adidas, Nike and most clothing companies. They use child labour and sweatshops to produce clothing and shoes. They get paid literally pittance. But that's capitalism for you. Kick off about paying a fair price for some shoes made in England or France, yet folk are happy to pay 100 for a pair of Nike's not knowing the kids and people who've made them have probably earned 10 pence for a days graft.

I'm no capitalist but have visited the extreme poverty of the places that have the sweatshops. These places are developing countries and need the investment. The companies operating there expect the workforce to organise and increase pay and conditions. I'm not defending it but if you take these businesses out of those countries then no money goes in, because if they have to pay these workers the same as other countries there is no point being there. These countries have poor infrastructure and it is difficult to move the goods around so they would simply not bother at all, making the workers even more impoverished. That's unfortunately where we are in the world today and it needs to change.
But they are not killing these workers, they are not indiscriminately killing children due to the location they live in, they are not killing government opponents and journalists, They are not killing people within 24 hours of a crime happening with a very quick trial therefore not fully investigated, they are are abhorrent in their own way but they do not engage in state sponsored murder.

 

[BigBed]

I sincerely hope not. It's dirty money.

As much as the prospect of Wilder with money to spend is exciting, let's not do it at the expense of our conscience.

If we become owned by a state, we'll become heavily associated with them and become a mouthpiece to gain soft power and launder their shoddy reputation.

Unless you condone the indiscriminate bombing of Yemeni civilians, the murdering of political opponents/critics or turning a blind eye to human trafficking, slavery and torture, then you should be against any Saudi money too.

I agree, oil is very dirty, gets everywhere and it's hard to get it off your clothes, my overalls are covered in hydraulic oil as we speak, and I'm dirty!

 

[Le Cynique]

Whilst wanting to remain very much outside of the political debate about Saudi Arabia and how 'dirty' their money is, I don't really understand how you can support one member of the ruling family, who had an excellent start in life and a lot of privilege purely because of the dynasty he was born into, whilst simultaneously repudiating the validity or 'cleanliness' of the very family that spawned him - and whom, to the best of my knowledge, he hasn't excommunicated himself from. Unless of course it's because he's the owner and benefactor of the football team you support, but that would surely be rank hypocrisy?

 

[ComedyClub]

I'm no capitalist but have visited the extreme poverty of the places that have the sweatshops. These places are developing countries and need the investment. The companies operating there expect the workforce to organise and increase pay and conditions. I'm not defending it but if you take these businesses out of those countries then no money goes in, because if they have to pay these workers the same as other countries there is no point being there. These countries have poor infrastructure and it is difficult to move the goods around so they would simply not bother at all, making the workers even more impoverished. That's unfortunately where we are in the world today and it needs to change.
But they are not killing these workers, they are not indiscriminately killing children due to the location they live in, they are not killing government opponents and journalists, They are not killing people within 24 hours of a crime happening with a very quick trial therefore not fully investigated, they are are abhorrent in their own way but they do not engage in state sponsored murder.

No they aren't killing the workers, they're just working them to the point where they pass out whilst on the machinery.

So not paying them what they should really be getting paid because if they did there's "no point in them being there" is completely fine then? You can't say you aren't a capitalist then say the above. That's exploitation.

 

[SelbyBlade]

Whilst wanting to remain very much outside of the political debate about Saudi Arabia and how 'dirty' their money is, I don't really understand how you can support one member of the ruling family, who had an excellent start in life and a lot of privilege purely because of the dynasty he was born into, whilst simultaneously repudiating the validity or 'cleanliness' of the very family that spawned him - and whom, to the best of my knowledge, he hasn't excommunicated himself from. Unless of course it's because he's the owner and benefactor of the football team you support, but that would surely be rank hypocrisy?

It's not comfortable having the Prince as an owner for all the points you make, but he is an individual whereas the PIF money is directly from the Saudi Executive. The Prince whether he slags his country off or not is not funded by it or told what to do by the Saudi government. The difference with the PIF money is that it is for PR purposes of the Saudi government and therefore directly from them implicating us directly with them.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Ah, the good old FA, don't bother to check if the Wigan owner is a real person but get real concerned about TV coverage.

The FA are also more concerned with TV rights than they are with human rights.

 

[SelbyBlade]

No they aren't killing the workers, they're just working them to the point where they pass out whilst on the machinery.

So not paying them what they should really be getting paid because if they did there's "no point in them being there" is completely fine then? You can't say you aren't a capitalist then say the above. That's exploitation.

Can you point out where I said it was completely fine? I was demonstrating the facts as they are. Companies do that all over the world even in the UK paying East European less than the minimum wage through gang masters to pick in fields. I wish it was not the case. There is a huge difference between company exploitation and state sponsored murder.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Whilst wanting to remain very much outside of the political debate about Saudi Arabia and how 'dirty' their money is, I don't really understand how you can support one member of the ruling family, who had an excellent start in life and a lot of privilege purely because of the dynasty he was born into, whilst simultaneously repudiating the validity or 'cleanliness' of the very family that spawned him - and whom, to the best of my knowledge, he hasn't excommunicated himself from. Unless of course it's because he's the owner and benefactor of the football team you support, but that would surely be rank hypocrisy?

The answer is pretty much the same answer Amnesty International (who never shy away from an opportunity to get involved on Saudi Arabian issues) have given to Newcastle fans bleating about why they stuck their oar in to their owner debate rather than be even remotely critical about our owner – one is clearly tied directly to the Saudi government, while the other is not.

Kate Allen, Director of Amnesty International UK, said the cases of Newcastle and Sheffield United were “very different”.

Allen said the Toon deal would give ownership to the sovereign wealth fund of the Saudi state, which has a terrible human rights record, while Prince Abdullah was a private businessman.

 

[robbiez666]

They'll be straight down to S6. Only interested in massive clubs.

 

[Ricardo Mantelban]

Let’s hope they don’t turn their attention to us. We might as well be connected to known terrorists.