Calls from football club collective for Newcastle United and Yasir Al-Rumayyan to make Saudi equality stand

Fair game want Newcastle United and non-executive chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan to make a stand on Saudi Arabia and equality.
Chairman of Newcastle United, Yasir Al-Rumayyan arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on October 17, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.Chairman of Newcastle United, Yasir Al-Rumayyan arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on October 17, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Chairman of Newcastle United, Yasir Al-Rumayyan arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on October 17, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Fair game - and English football club collective - is calling for Newcastle United and non-executive chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan to make a stand on Saudi Arabia and equality.

The group, which includes 31 Football League and non-league football clubs, believe United are guilty of ‘hypocrisy’ having called out discriminatory behaviour at St James’ Park on Sunday.

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They believe United, majority owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, should go further.

In a statement, released today, Fair Game’s director of engagement Natalie Atkinson said: “Fair Game fully endorses the Newcastle statement condemning all forms of discrimination.

“Racism, sexism and homophobia have no place in modern football. And our manifesto calls for clubs to fully embed diversity and inclusion. However, Newcastle can and should go even further.”

“Fair Game today called upon the new owners of Newcastle United to make an unequivocal stand against discrimination everywhere in the world - including Saudi Arabia.

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“The call comes after Newcastle made a statement condemning report of a racist incident by one of their fans in Sunday’s match against Tottenham.Fair Game is a group of 31 value-driven football clubs campaigning for better governance of football.

“Their new chairman is hugely linked to the appalling treatment of women and the LGBTQI community in Saudi Arabia.

“It is a brush that is tarnishing the fine reputation of Newcastle fans.

“Fair Game urges Yasir Al-Rumayyan to make a public statement condemning the acts of discrimination in his home country and pledging to reverse the draconian and prejudicial laws there.

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“Newcastle United have a unique opportunity to make a powerful global stand. Fair Game calls on Al-Rumayyan to grasp it. Until he does so then the statement announced yesterday will continue to wreak of hypocrisy.”

Clubs associated with Fair Game include fellow North East outfits Gateshead and Darlington.

The other clubs in the collective are: Accrington Stanley, AFC Wimbledon, Altrincham, Ashford United, Basingstoke Town, Bath City, Bury AFC, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United, Carlisle United, Chester, Chesterfield, City of Liverpool, Curzon Ashton, Doncaster Rovers, Dorking Wanderers, Ebbsfleet United, Grimsby Town, Leyton Orient, Lincoln City, Luton Town, Maidstone United, Newport County AFC, Rochdale AFC, Shrewsbury Town, Tonbridge Angels, Tranmere Rovers and Worcester City.

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