Irish Examiner view: Saudi Arabia’s Geordie takeover an exercise in soft power

The notion that there will be an arm’s-length relationship between the sovereign wealth fund and the oil state’s rulers is piffle, believed by no one.

Jubilant Newcastle United fans hold a Saudi flag outside St James' Park whilst celebrating the club's takeover. Picture: Tom Wilkinson/PA Wire

There are many people who concluded long ago that soccer has made a Faustian pact, and should be ignored in favour of native sports. 

Equally, there are hundreds of thousands of Irish people who support and watch clubs both here and in Britain with great enthusiasm, and at some cost, who will be fascinated by the consequences of the most expensive football takeover in history.