It should be, because trying to paint Newcastle fans as murderous dictator apologists is daft.
That's exactly what you are doing on this thread.
If Liverpool got taken over by the Saudi government tomorrow I would just give up on football entirely. Show me the people John W Henry has massacred and tortured and I'll do so right now.
As slowpuncheur said football fans are no more guilty of this than the rest of us are for the actions our own government in support of regimes like Saudi Arabia.
I and many others criticise our government for this all the time. I've taken part in protests against it. But god forbid we criticise football fans for literally cheering for them.
It's a black mark against the city - I used to enjoy visiting but I will think twice now.
It’s a black mark against the city – I used to enjoy visiting but I will think twice now.
??
You do realise that despite all the romantic bollocks spouted by the football media et al that Newcastle football club is not the same as the city of Newcastle? Most people don’t really give a toss about what goes on at St James Park. It's just football, and that's all it will it ever be.
Bit less than a quarter of the city's population were in the stadium cheering for Al-Rumayyan the other day - never mind you and others on here doing the Saudis PR for them.
Bit less than a quarter of the city’s population
Oh FFS if you've just googled 'population of Newcastle Upon Tyne' and found the number 268,064 (as I just did) then you should consider that's just the metropolitan area. It doesn't even include North or South Tyneside, let alone Northumberland and County Durham. Needless to say Newcastle fans come from all over the North East and beyond rather than within a few miles of the ground. It's a bit like saying man utd fans only come from inside the M60.
And besides, there this.. https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/newcastle-upon-tyne-population
Anyway, this is a really silly argument. I have no more liking for Saudi Arabian billionaires than you do, but it's not going to stop me watching football (unless they hire another Joe Kinnear as the manager). I doubt I'll be going to any matches, I stopped doing that in protest at Chris 'man of the people' Hughton being sacked and since then realised it's a waste of £40. However if it it gets the fans of other clubs this riled then maybe it's not a bad thing. It'll certainly be amusing to watch the wailing if all the money actually results in Newcastle knocking one of the current top six off their perches.
Newcastle United aren't popular in Newcastle. Ok then...
Oh they're popular, just not for the things you assume, and not in the numbers.
Well, we’re nothing if not predictable
One down in the first 15 minutes
EDIT: 2 down in 30 minutes. Sunday league defending. It’s just embarrassing
Wel it's consistent. 2 after 30 minutes.
Going out, finishing bottom of the group by the looks of things at the moment.
I suspect Mo Salah might be rather looking forward to playing against this defence on Sunday
I thought the whole point of starting with McFred was that it was a more defensive midfield.
That’s going well, isn’t it?
You’ll beat Liverpool on Sunday and Ole will be the messiah again, for another few games at least, before the cycle repeats.
This is brilliant 🤩.
Actually it’s bad … nice 2-2 draw now would be ideal .. Ole in
Steve Bruce is available? Just saying like.
I don’t think Bruce will consider a job that low … think of his family
We’ll need Big Sam at this rate
This new kids not bad
If we ever bothered to show up for a first half, we’d be awesome
Ole in etc. Great comeback and he’ll come out with all the usual United cliches for sure. Making heavy weather of the easiest champions league group by a country mile but if it keeps him in the job I’m happy.
Norwich are going for lowest point count record.... Jorginho has the cigars out strolling around like a charity game. 3 academy players on the scoresheet for Chelsea.
7? Blimey, that’s a proper shoeing!
Looks like Watford are in for another tough day at the office too
great shout Binners!
My predictions are up to their usual standard then? 😃
The bookies bloody love me for a very good reason
Some bonkers scores today. I’m loving this season so far, despite us looking like Europa League candidates. Tomorrow’s going to be interesting
Police are responding to complaint that the banner was ‘offensive’. Hahahahaha.
Police are responding to complaint that the banner was ‘offensive’.
That's an interesting one. Truth hurts.
I wonder if non Newcastle fans will ever let this fade away. Will we see constant banners and hear songs every Newcastle away tie.
Interesting what the short medium and long reactions from all parties, police, premier league, Newcastle fans and owners, will be if feelings continue to be made.
That banner is brilliant!
United v Liverpool could be a goal fest today! Liverpool look good going forward again but are letting in a few. So 0-0 then?!
Yip. Got my scouse brethren round for the match later. We’ve both agreed that with Salah presently pretty much unplayable, two shaky looking defences, and with our second half goal flurry the other night, plus all the usual hype, this ones got nil nil written all over it!
This mornings Observer has the most on-the-money article about United I've ever read, which details pretty accurately where we are as a club under this ownership and why their priorities mean that actually winning stuff isn't even really a priority
What is important to note is that none of this is remotely contingent on United winning things here and now. The silverware has already been won; the myths forged; the brand established. If you can monetise the treble-winning side in China 22 years later, then you can probably keep doing it for another 22. All the machine really requires to keep it running is Champions League football every year, a steady supply of heroics and the idea that on some level United are still engaged in the “pursuit of excellence”.
As a United fan it's a thoroughly depressing read as it just confirms what we've all known for years. The owners don't give a toss about what goes on on the pitch really, they exist to simply rinse as much cash out of 'the brand' (whatever that is?) as possible
It’s not so much a football club any more. It’s a theme park
Spursy
oh dear 2 down in 13 mins
The old 'go two goals down' strategy again eh!
Defensive rankings for United this season:
Clean sheets - 18th
Tackles per game - 20th
Errors leading to shots - 20th
That is awful.
The old ‘go two goals down’ strategy again eh!
It’s our comfort zone
oh dear oh dear this is abysmal
Jeezo. Ole out yet binners?
Great to see Keita looking a lot sharper this season. I wasn't sure he was good enough tbh.
Oh FFS liverpool, you're going to get Ole sacked at this rate, at least let them have some hope.
dear oh dear this is abysmal
No it's great watching Man Utd's myth being destroyed in full view of a worldwide audience.
The initial tackle was worthy of a red in itself. Ronaldo is very lucky there.
too ****ing easy
Steve Bruce is available!
The initial tackle was worthy of a red in itself. Ronaldo is very lucky there.
The first tackle was a yellow no where near a red, but how he doesn't go off for kicking out like that I have no clue.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
The first tackle was a yellow no where near a red
Wild tackle from behind, nowhere near the ball, take a player out and knock him to the ground? I dunno
