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A leading Saudi Arabian human rights activist says Newcastle are being used as a \u201ctool\u201d to legitimise Mohammed bin Salman\u2019s regime and urged supporters not to underestimate the power of protest.<\/p>\n
Members of the NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing group are set to stage a demonstration outside St James\u2019s Park on Friday night, prior to the first of two international friendlies set to be staged by the Saudis at the venue this month.<\/p>\n
Lina al-Hathloul, whose sister Loujain was imprisoned and tortured after leading a campaign to allow women to drive in her homeland, was on Tyneside this week to stress that shows of dissent can still have a significant impact on the actions of the regime.<\/p>\n
More than two years after Newcastle\u2019s controversial takeover by Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund, the small minority of dissenters among the club\u2019s fan-base is refusing to give up hope of pricking the consciences of enough fellow supporters to make an impression.<\/p>\n
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Speaking at a public meeting close to the stadium, Hathloul said: \u201cThey (the Saudi regime) really think that they\u2019ve bought everyone\u2019s silence, but you should not underestimate the power one word can have.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re still in a phase where image is important for the Saudi regime. That\u2019s why they do as much as they can to cover up the (human rights) violations.<\/p>\n
We’re not asking you to choose to love your club or to speak up – both can work together. You can be happy about Newcastle winning and still criticise what is happening in Saudi<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not asking you to choose to love your club or to speak up \u2013 both can work together. You can be happy about Newcastle winning and still criticise what is happening in Saudi.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia\u2019s two friendlies, against Costa Rica on Friday and South Korea four days later, are widely regarded as further proof of the regime\u2019s links to the takeover, despite \u201clegally binding assurances\u201d given to the Premier League in 2021 that it had no such influence.<\/p>\n
Al-Hathloul called the Saudi claim a \u201clie\u201d, adding: \u201cI love my national team, and for me it\u2019s always difficult to dissociate the regime and what I love about my country.<\/p>\n
\u201c[But] when has the Saudi national team played abroad in a friendly? It is very rare, and now it really is a coincidence that they are playing in Newcastle.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we see the Saudi government is using Newcastle as a tool now to push their agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Loujain al-Hathloul was released in February 2021 after spending 1,001 days in jail under counter-terrorism laws. Al-Hathloul and her family continue to live under restrictions that prevent them leaving the country.<\/p>\n
Newcastle have been contacted for a response.<\/p>\n