“If I were outright racist, sponsors would run away, it seems they can live with homophobia”

The purchase of Newcastle by a Public Investment Fund led by Saudi Arabia has brought large sums of money to invest in the club, but also the suspicion of those who see the capital of this Arab country a threat to the struggle of values ​​for equality and against homophobia.

As revealed by the British newspaper Mirror, Newcastle sponsors are in the spotlight. They are accused of “turning a blind eye” to homophobia over the acquisition of the club led by this Muslim country. Most avoid talking about it. Yes it has, however, Bey Jackson, co-founder of the LGB Alliance, the only company that collaborates with the English club that has offered a response when asked if they felt comfortable being closely aligned with the Saudi regime.

“Almost all companies these days are careful to polish their environmental, social and governance credentials. But when they turn a blind eye to homophobia, they scoff at any pretense of being good corporate citizens. If a club were owned by an outspoken racist, sponsors would leave in droves. It seems that companies that sponsor clubs with homophobic investors believe that they can live with homophobia, “said Bey Jackson, co-founder of the LGB Alliance.

The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, now owns 80% of the club, and the remainder is divided between RB Sports & Media and PCP Capital Partners.

Gay and lesbian campaign groups have called companies like Carling and Pulman Volkswagen “hypocritical” for claiming they support diversity, but they have ended up partnering with a club that has received a “blood-spattered cash influx.” They point out that Bin Salman is also the political leader of a country that criminalizes the LGBTQ community and where same-sex intimacy can be punishable by death.

Saudi Arabia has long faced criticism for women’s rights, who were unable to enter sports stadiums until 2018 and only this year were they allowed to live alone without the permission of a male guardian.

Last week, Newcastle was one of many who praised Australian footballer Josh Cavallo for becoming the first openly gay male footballer. “A powerful and inspiring message,” the club wrote on Twitter. ‘Soccer is for everyone. Newcastle United is with you, Josh. Many LGBTQ people accused the club of hypocrisy seeing such a message in the context of its Saudi ownership.

Newcastle will face further accusations next month when participating in the campaign Rainbow Laces (rainbow ties) in support of diversity.