Alan Shearer Gives Approval To Newcastle United’s Saudi Takeover

After years of Mike Ashley rule, Newcastle United are finally under new ownership, with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund taking charge of the club in a move that has been given Alan Shearer’s approval.

Shearer is known to be a staunch critic of former owner Ashley, with the legendary goalscorer even having his name removed from Shearer’s Bar after a public critique of the former owner.

This level of pettiness had actually seen Shearer fail to return to St. James’ Park on too many occasions after his brief run of coaching the club ended in relegation back in 2009.

“Newcastle fans haven’t mattered for 14 years,” Shearer explained in an interview with the BBC.

“There has been no investment and the fans have never been consulted, we now have owners that will invest and that is very important for fans. It will take patience, we don’t expect to win the league or the Champions League in the next few years.”

Shearer’s positive take on the takeover has come in the midst of a backlash regarding Saudi Arabia’s record of human rights abuses as well as their ongoing conflict in Yemen.

There has been a written understanding that the state and Public Investment Fund will not run Newcastle United together, although few believe this.

“I understand there are questions that have to be asked about human rights,” Shearer added.

“It’s very important that we do not brush it under the rug. We have to reflect on it and highlight it, but they are a fund that has already invested in this country and in other sports, it’s a very big problem, but that isn’t the fault of the Newcastle fans.”