Sheikh Jaafar's Desert, sponsored by blood money.
Newcastle United now owned by the PIF | PL receives "legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control NUFC" ;)
- Thread starter Damien
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Hi, again, I’m saudi and I’ll try to give an insight on how PIF works and why the figure (10x richer than Man City) is not accurate.
For those who expect that Saudi is in it for image (only) should read more on how PIF operates.
PIF is a sovereign fund. One of the biggest in the world (I think only behind Norway sovereign fund, but I could be wrong)
PIF is one of the main vehicles for Saudi to diversify the economy away from oil. It’s responsible for lots of the biggest projects in the world that cost huge amounts of money (you can read on NEOM, Amala, Red Sea, Qiddeyah … and many other projects inside saudi). As well as a lot of international investments (of which new castle is now one).
PIF has clear announced returns targets that they have to meet (like all other funds). Yes, it has a lot of money, but it also has a lot of projects.
Long story short, PIF expects good returns on their investments. New Castle is not a passion project of some billionaire who liked how the stadium looks or just want to show off against other rich peers. The amount of money PIF has is irrelevant because PIF will cut its losses if returns are below what’s expected.
That being said, I do expect that PIF will invest (within reason) as long as that Investment will generate returns.
I also expect that PIF will invest in the City of New Castle as a measure to maximize returns (beyond the club itself).
For those who expect that Saudi is in it for image (only) should read more on how PIF operates.
PIF is a sovereign fund. One of the biggest in the world (I think only behind Norway sovereign fund, but I could be wrong)
PIF is one of the main vehicles for Saudi to diversify the economy away from oil. It’s responsible for lots of the biggest projects in the world that cost huge amounts of money (you can read on NEOM, Amala, Red Sea, Qiddeyah … and many other projects inside saudi). As well as a lot of international investments (of which new castle is now one).
PIF has clear announced returns targets that they have to meet (like all other funds). Yes, it has a lot of money, but it also has a lot of projects.
Long story short, PIF expects good returns on their investments. New Castle is not a passion project of some billionaire who liked how the stadium looks or just want to show off against other rich peers. The amount of money PIF has is irrelevant because PIF will cut its losses if returns are below what’s expected.
That being said, I do expect that PIF will invest (within reason) as long as that Investment will generate returns.
I also expect that PIF will invest in the City of New Castle as a measure to maximize returns (beyond the club itself).
At least half of those atrocities have been committed by UK, which aren't hidden by any means.
Great whataboutism.
Enjoy your PL that doesn't belong to the english people anymore at least it will be the most competitive league in the planet.
Yeah it's not like the people have manchester haven't seen great local economic and wealth growth due to the foreign investment in the team....... Oh wait they have seen great improvements to local housing and businesses.
Newcastle as a city will hugely benefit so literally people businesses and livihoods are gonna grow. Isnt that something for them to be excited about? Especially a city that has seen very little investment over the years?
They aren't hidden? Do you know how much of the oil in Nigeria is still owned by the British? How much of our government pays the British each year for no reason? How much of our land is owned and sold off by the British each year? No you don't because its swept under the carpet.
What country did that to you? Norway? Sweden? Austria? Finland? Italy? Ireland?
Or... UK? America?
You are trying to exploit general guilt, I'm not buying it.Sorry.
Are they really going to do this? The other name I saw mentioned is Lampard
I suppose getting in a "legend of the game" with a big profile in the sport, to legitimise their sportwashing project early doors, makes some sense.
Qatar did similar with Zidane and their ludicrous world cup bid.
They'll bring Rooney in and tell him have at it. Wayne wanted Ozil to play behind him after the 2010 world cup. He has an eye for a player
Exploit? I am not exploiting anything. Its just a joke to claim moral highground over Newcastle supporters happy to potential have their city and club have big investment that could change not just the football club their support but actively Change whole communities.
If holding a mirror up hurts people then fine.
As I've said attack the Saudis not the Newcastle fans or people.
Always had a soft spot for Newcastle so fair play to them.
Not enough consideration is being given to the very possible scenario in which bin Salman seeing a wall of fat geordies with their bellies out will lead to a much more progressive and liberal Saudi Arabia.
Not enough consideration is being given to the very possible scenario in which bin Salman seeing a wall of fat geordies with their bellies out will lead to a much more progressive and liberal Saudi Arabia.
It's either us or Liverpool. Chelsea City and Newcastle have too much money and too little regard for balance sheets to make it economic to compete with them in the long term. And without consistent top four the United business model fails over time. If I were the Glazers I would be looking to sell now.
Mate, we all know every government is dirty, but the UK govt doesn't own a football team as a way of sportswashing.
If you really can't see the difference then there's something wrong with you. If we all start trying to do a historical 'eye for an eye' we'll all end up blind.
For me, personally, it's just another nail in the coffin for the game I grew up with. It's got nothing to do with Utd being a bit rubbish now, although the manner of the Glazer takeover and their subsequent leadership was certainly where my apathy took root. There are plenty of teams that have outside investment and show it doesn't need to be super rich nation state to do so, like Leicester and Aston Villa. They'd probably win more trophies if the likes of PSG, City, Chelsea hadn't thrust everything into hyperdrive.
Although it's certainly made things interesting in many respects, it's also brought a lot of questionable things into the game. Maybe they were already there? They're just highlighted more prominently now, I suppose.
I know the world changes, but it's about how much shit you're willing to swallow. I can't really ignore a lot of it anymore, so although I'll always support MUFC, I really find myself caring about football less and less. I only really watch matches, or more often the highlights these days. The rest of the stuff around it I just can't be fecked with.
Honestly think it’s Chelsea in the long run. Say it takes 10 years for Newcastle to threaten the top 4, then it takes longer to consistently stay there. How long is Roman going to stick it when he’s nearing 70?
Pep's next job then
Get your facts and figures out about the wealth and economic growth that is outlier to other parts of the uk. Trotting out soundbites doesn't prove anything. Nobody is doubting that they'll pump money into the place, but most doubt that it justifies legitimises Saudi Arabia. I don't care too much about how this sounds but i really think you must be utterly clueless about Saudi and its role in the world. If you can't see how braindead fools waving Saudi flags in the name of their football club is a genuinely disgraceful act then i think you might be in a fantasy land.
Be interesting to read the post war history of English football in 50 years time.....
The great Sir Matt Busby and the Busby Babes and the rebuild to conquer Europe
Bill Shankley turning Liverpool into a real force
Brian Clough taking Forest from the second tier to European champions (twice just in case anyone thought it was a fluke)
Graham Taylor taking Watford from fourth tier to Europe and a second place finish in top tier in six years
Howard Kendall and Everton overtaking their neighbours to win two titles but denied the chance to shine in Europe
SAF the greatest manager of all time
Wenger the professor bringing in sports science and the invincibles
and then........
Chelsea bought by stinking rich Roman Abramovich - started winning things
Man City bought by stinking rich Sheikh Mansour started winning things
Newcastle bought by stinking rich Saudi prince Mohammad bin Salman started winning things
The great Sir Matt Busby and the Busby Babes and the rebuild to conquer Europe
Bill Shankley turning Liverpool into a real force
Brian Clough taking Forest from the second tier to European champions (twice just in case anyone thought it was a fluke)
Graham Taylor taking Watford from fourth tier to Europe and a second place finish in top tier in six years
Howard Kendall and Everton overtaking their neighbours to win two titles but denied the chance to shine in Europe
SAF the greatest manager of all time
Wenger the professor bringing in sports science and the invincibles
and then........
Chelsea bought by stinking rich Roman Abramovich - started winning things
Man City bought by stinking rich Sheikh Mansour started winning things
Newcastle bought by stinking rich Saudi prince Mohammad bin Salman started winning things
Be hilarous if they get relegated.
I just love how this move has shaken up some folk's quixotic ideas of the world. A reality check is good from time to time.
Aah man, this went over my head.But at least we have Sancho by our sides and not anyone else
Surely it's just showing what each poster believes, I doubt anyone is 'shaken' unless they are Newcastle fans? Not Tony Blair though, he doesn't give a hoot.
Shakes head……..
That would be too perfect
haha I don't think Phony Tony was ever a real Newcastle fan, it was just what his cool Britannia PR people told him to say because it was deemed to be everyone's 'second favourite club' at the time....not mine might i add
There won't be any Newcastle footballer coming out as gay anytime soon.
I’m sure it’s been said, but I feel insanely lucky to have grown up in the 90s supporting a club that had incredible success without any of this evil shite.*
Thank God for Alex Ferguson.
*
Thank God for Alex Ferguson.
*
Im well aware of the moral failings of 90s football, but there’s a difference between having to ignore growing corporatism and having to excuse murdering journalists.
or protests.....Won't be any journalists criticising them either.
10 years until Newcastle threaten the top 4?
They'll be looking to threaten the Premier League's top 4 within a season or two and will have designs on winning the thing by 2025.
Is he?
Agree. No way will it take 10 years, it won't be allowed to take 10 years.
I wouldn't be spreading that rumour about or you might mysteriously disappear.
Obviously not.
Why is it obviously not?
They need the infrastructure and develop the pull to attract the players good enough. They aren’t coming into a weakened league ala City, it’ll take them longer to get a foothold.