Arsenal fans joined West Ham ’s LGBTQ+ supporters group at a protest ahead of the Hammers' clash with Newcastle over the Magpies’ Saudi Arabia owners’ human rights abuses.
Newcastle were bought by the Middle East country’s Public Investment Fund in October, a group that is led by the de-facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman.
Major concerns have been raised ever since the buy-out over the move to allow a country with such a poor human rights record, especially around LGBTQ+ rights, to take control of a Premier League club.
While the league have insisted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not have control of Newcastle, they have frequently declined to explain how that works in practice, given the fact that six government ministers also sit on the PIF board.
Saudi Arabia’s human rights record has come under scrutiny ever since they bought the Magpies, with an investigation by The Athletic also raising concerns over the safety of Saudi citizen Suhail al-Jameel.
The 25-year-old social media influencer was reported to have been arrested in 2019 for posting a topless selfie.
Since the takeover, and the publication of The Athletic’s report, fan groups from several Premier League clubs have protested against Newcastle’s new owners.
LGBTQ+ supporter groups from Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Liverpool have all held protests ahead of matches between their clubs and Newcastle, with Al-Jameel’s situation at the heart of them.
Pride of Irons, West Ham ’s LGBTQ+ fan group, have now followed in their footsteps by launching their own protest ahead of Saturday’s visit of the Magpies to the London Stadium.
They announced the move on Friday night, with Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Holly Johnson and veteran LGBTQ+ rights activist Peter Tatchell joining them.
“West Ham's LGBTQIA+ fan group, Pride of Irons are being joined by Frankie Goes to Hollywoods Holly Johnson and LGBGTQ Human rights activist Peter Tatchell to protest ahead of the game tomorrow - during LGBT history month - and on what would have been ex West Ham player Justin Fashanu’s 61st birthday,” the group said in a statement on Instagram.
“The peaceful protest is against football's governing bodies allowing human rights abusers to become owners of football clubs, including Newcastle United.
“The FA and the Premier League like to present our leagues as having integrity and values, but clearly these values are for sale.
“Gay social media personality Suhail Al Jameel is in prison in Saudi Arabia after being sentenced to three years and 800 lashes simply for being who he is. It’s not good enough.”
Pride of Irons were also joined by Arsenal ’s fan group Gay Gooners, Tottenham’s Proud Lilywhites and the Pride in Football organisation.
The latter organisation also tweeted their support for the protest, slamming the Premier League’s ownership tests.
“We’ve supported the Pride Of Irons protest today continuing the #FREESUHAIL campaign,” they wrote.
“This is not a club issue, this is a human rights issue surrounding the fit and proper owners test. February marks LGBT+ History Month - this is living history and we must make these points.”
