Newcastle Owner Criticized For His Attitude Towards The LGBTQ Community

Newcastle Illustration (Twitter @NUFC)

JAKARTA - The recent takeover of Newcastle United by Saudi Arabia did not go without controversy. The Premier League club's new owners have been heavily criticized for their human rights record.

Newcastle's sponsors have come under heavy criticism for ignoring the fact that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has bought the club, has a poor track record on LGBTQ matters.

Bev Jackson, co-founder of the LGB Alliance, in collaboration with Newcastle, has given his thoughts on the takeover.

"Almost all companies today are careful to polish their environmental, social, and governance credentials," Jackson said.

"But when they turn a blind eye to homophobia, they scorn the pretense of being good corporate citizens.

"If a club is owned by an outspoken racist, sponsors will leave in droves.

"It seems that the companies that sponsor clubs with homophobic investors believe they can live with homophobia."

The LBG Alliance has branded sponsors like Carling and Pulman Volkswagen as hypocrites for initially saying they support diversity, but then working with a club that has a "blood-stained stream of money".

They also highlight the fact that Mohamed bin Salman, chairman of the PIF, is also the leader of a country that has criminalized the LBGTQ community.

In recent days, Newcastle has been outspoken in their support of professional footballer Josh Cavallo, who recently admitted to being gay.