Mainz 05 refuse to call off friendly after fans protest Newcastle's Saudi links

July 6 - German side Mainz 05 have resisted calls from their own fans to cancel an upcoming friendly with Newcastle United in Austria due to Saudi ownership of the Premier League club.

Mainz has expressed "regret" at the turmoil the match caused following Newcastle being 80% owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but described his withdrawal from the game as "unthinkable".

Newcastle are due to face the German side on July 18, three days after facing Munich 1860 at their training camp in Austria.

The match was called into question after a group of Mainz fans urged the club to heed Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

However, confirming that it would be played as planned, Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel said: "A unilateral cancellation on our part, as some fans demand, is unthinkable, as this could have serious consequences. legal and economic consequences for us and due to contractual obligations fundamentally respect our contractual agreements.”

The call to cancel came in an open letter to Supporters club Mainz E.V.

"Newcastle United was acquired by Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in late 2021. The motive was probably less enthusiasm for football or identification with the Newcastle United club that so-called 'sportwashing' - the attempt to polish Saudi Arabia's image by entering international football," the letter reads.

"We recall that Saudi Arabia is not only an absolute monarchy in which the democratic participation of its citizens has no place, but a country in which fundamental human rights are systematically violated.
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"Suppression of freedom of speech and religion, persecution of homosexuals, oppression of women, use of caning and the death penalty are among the laws there.

"Newcastle United is not just a football club, but a vehicle for asserting the interests of a regime that flouts human rights and whose policies are diametrically opposed to the value and statement of Mainz mission 05.

“At a time when authoritarian states, big corporations or billionaires are taking over international football to advance their interests, it is no longer possible to separate football and politics.

"With the decision to play a friendly game against Newcastle United, Mainz 05 sends a signal, and not a good one at that. This game sends a signal that the values of the mission statement are not binding when it comes to it's about choosing opponents for friendlies or friendlies.

"With a match against Newcastle United, Mainz is also actively providing a stage for the Saudi regime and thus indirectly recognizes it politically."

Contact the author of this story at moc.l1657176380labto1657176380ofdlr1657176380owedi1657176380sni@w1657176380ahsra1657176380w.wer1657176380dna1657176380

Sports Jul 7, 2022 0 88 Add to Reading List

July 6 - German side Mainz 05 have resisted calls from their own fans to cancel an upcoming friendly with Newcastle United in Austria due to Saudi ownership of the Premier League club.

Mainz has expressed "regret" at the turmoil the match caused following Newcastle being 80% owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but described his withdrawal from the game as "unthinkable".

Newcastle are due to face the German side on July 18, three days after facing Munich 1860 at their training camp in Austria.

The match was called into question after a group of Mainz fans urged the club to heed Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

However, confirming that it would be played as planned, Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel said: "A unilateral cancellation on our part, as some fans demand, is unthinkable, as this could have serious consequences. legal and economic consequences for us and due to contractual obligations fundamentally respect our contractual agreements.”

The call to cancel came in an open letter to Supporters club Mainz E.V.

"Newcastle United was acquired by Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in late 2021. The motive was probably less enthusiasm for football or identification with the Newcastle United club that so-called 'sportwashing' - the attempt to polish Saudi Arabia's image by entering international football," the letter reads.

"We recall that Saudi Arabia is not only an absolute monarchy in which the democratic participation of its citizens has no place, but a country in which fundamental human rights are systematically violated.

"Suppression of freedom of speech and religion, persecution of homosexuals, oppression of women, use of caning and the death penalty are among the laws there.

"Newcastle United is not just a football club, but a vehicle for asserting the interests of a regime that flouts human rights and whose policies are diametrically opposed to the value and statement of Mainz mission 05.

“At a time when authoritarian states, big corporations or billionaires are taking over international football to advance their interests, it is no longer possible to separate football and politics.

"With the decision to play a friendly game against Newcastle United, Mainz 05 sends a signal, and not a good one at that. This game sends a signal that the values of the mission statement are not binding when it comes to it's about choosing opponents for friendlies or friendlies.

"With a match against Newcastle United, Mainz is also actively providing a stage for the Saudi regime and thus indirectly recognizes it politically."

Contact the author of this story at moc.l1657176380labto1657176380ofdlr1657176380owedi1657176380sni@w1657176380ahsra1657176380w.wer1657176380dna1657176380