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When football clubs are looking for investment, what are their options? When Newcastle United accepted a mammoth $300M investment by Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund (PIF), it came with promises to bolster the club, benefit local communities and enrich the experience for fans. But should Newcastle be accepting money from a country with Saudi Arabia’s human rights record? Can national fans reconcile going to Qatar later this year with the knowledge of how labourers were exploited and died during stadium construction?
Where does this leave the fans who have concerns about where the money flowing into their clubs comes from, or where the leagues turn to for partners and hosts?Is this about seeing the long term benefits to the game, the fans and their communities, or are we allowing oppressive regimes and problematic companies to ‘sportwash’ their reputations?
editor and invited experts
Andrew Butler
Editor and Head of Social
Anthony Burnett
CEO, Kick It Out
Chris Paouros
Co-Chair, Proud Lilywhites
Dale Vince
Chair, Forest Green Rovers
David Harrison
Journalist
Florence Lloyd-Hughes
Journalist and broadcaster
Kieran Maguire
Podcaster and football finance lecturer, University of Liverpool