Newcastle slammed by former PL rival for 'losing its soul' with Saudi stance
Former Sunderland owner Sir Bob Murray fears Newcastle United has “lost its soul” after selling out to Saudi Arabia.
In an explosive critique of modern day ownership and oil rich states buying into football, the businessman says Newcastle ’s risks becoming “tarnished” for generations by being a vehicle for Saudi self promotion. And he fears some fans turn a blind eye to money-rich “repressive regimes” in the clamour for new signings and trophies.
Saudi Arabia has been criticised by the likes of Amnesty International for human right abuses and the jailing of critics - as investment into sports including football deflects attention and wins over fans. Murray says there are “moral issues” at stake adding it “took a war for us to question Chelsea winning 20 trophies with Russian money.”
He added: “It is not just about Newcastle and sports washing. The Premier League needs to be stronger on ownership issues." He says the Glazers at Manchester United have overseen a “leveraged buy-out” and that has led to a “series of disasters stemming from bad leadership.”
Murray added: “Kids are running around in Newcastle’s Saudi away strip – the colours of a state that routinely violates human rights. Last week the Stadium of Light hosted the Lionesses and we sold out. Up the road at another club, we’ve just had Saudi Arabia playing South Korea and Costa Rica. I know which stadium I would rather be at.
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“I can’t see the ownership of Newcastle changing for 1,000 years. Football should not be used to boost a country’s position. There is a possibility of harm. It won’t stop here. I don’t think it should have been allowed to happen – for the supporters or the city – yet it was waived through.”
Sir Bob built Sunderland into a modern club, including two seventh placed finishes in the Premier League. The local businessman constructed the Stadium of Light, the Academy of Light and the social hub, the Beacon of Light. So he has walked the walk in terms of sound ownership with a conscience. He sees the power of football and how it can be used to help a community.
Newcastle have enjoyed success on the pitch after being bought by Saudi Arabia (Getty Images)So when Murray expresses concerns about the direction football ownership has taken, it is worth listening. He sold his stake to Niall Quinn and a consortium which included “a legal agreement that they couldn’t play in green because of the Irish ownership!” He recalled a derby defeat after which Sports Direct owner Mike Ashely did a conga around the boardroom to celebrate. “Sir Bobby came over to apologise,” he recalls.
“We had no relationship between Newcastle and Sunderland when the Halls were there, and Freddy Shepherd. We saw them on match day, but there was no etiquette. Mike Ashley was happy to suppress Newcastle. He got relegated twice with a club of that size. When you have a bad owner it tends to fall to another bad owner. Like here with (Ellis) Short.
“But Steve Gibson (at Boro) is one of my best friends. Sir Bobby would come to watch us all the time. He was offered the Sunderland job by Tom Cowie (fomer SAFC chairman). Kevin Keegan ran the Great North Run in a black and white, and red and white shirt. He was the perfect gentleman.
Former Sunderland owner Sir Bob Murray fears Newcastle United has “lost its soul”“Newcastle fans are the innocent party. Which clubs have the heritage of Newcastle? They are top 20 in the world, a special club. I am worried about the game.” But Murray sees positive change at Sunderland under Kyril Louis Dreyfus and predicts a return to the top flight.
He added: “I am happy. He has a direction. He is building. Kyril is ambitious to get back in. He is investing in the stadium which needs a few million spent on it. They have a plan. And Tony Mowbray is a North East lad. He is honest. The signings have been impressive.”
Any regrets from his time in charge? “We lost, unbelievably, to Millwall in a FA Cup semi-final. Win that and we’d be in Europe. We played Manchester United in January and it was 1st v 2nd. No team had been there and not made Europe. We had the Golden Boot of Europe, Kevin Phillips. Sunderland can get there, it is only a matter of when.”
I’d do it all again, by Sir Bob Murray CBE is published on October 12. The entire £20 hardback price is donated to the Foundation of Light charity. Exclusively available at: and , from the Beacon of Light and SAFC stores.
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