Why the Failed Newcastle Takeover Is a Moral Victory for All Football Fans

For a group of football fans concerned with the ethical implications of our sport, the failed Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United has come as a small victory. For others, most notably diehard Newcastle fans, the news of withdrawal has crushed their hopes for a revitalized team injected with the cash reserves of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Although one can sympathize with passionate fans being disappointed when the promising prospects of financial salvation have dissipated after lengthy Premier League deliberations, the withdrawn bid should be viewed largely as a positive in a footballing world increasingly dictated by the size of an owner’s cheque book.

Photoshopped images of marquee footballers in Newcastle kits were widely shared among the club’s faithful amid news of the proposed takeover. After the recent news broke that the Saudi-led group had backed out of the deal, some of these same fans lambasted the Premier League for not accepting the bid. Putting club allegiance aside, the Premier League had several valid reasons for not accepting the deal.