Saudi investment into the Premiership

[Puja]

10% or so of four clubs doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. Buying a club outright, particularly Falcons, I could understand. What do they get for their investment? Financially rugby won’t even touch the sides for PIF & ‘sportswashing’ only works if you’re percieved to be front & centre in something positive, not a minority investor.

I was thinking of this. 10% of four clubs isn't much, but look at the four that they are - all adamently opposed to salary cap rises. If they can use their investment to change the vote, then they can buy a majority in whichever club goes easiest (probably Newcastle), and have a SuperClub full of galacticos as a banner acquisition.

Even if it's not that, 10% is a foot in the door - gets them in the rooms, gets them respectably associated with the sport and gets the furore out of the way so that, when they start wanting to put Visit Saudi Arabia on shirts, there's less opposition because we've already taken some of their silver, so what's a little bit more? Right now, I think if they wanted to buy a club outright and turn them into a project, there's a non-zero chance that the RFU would object and block the takeover. Give it five years of them being respectable investors and they'll have a lot more latitude.

Puja

[Adam_P]

From Saints:

"Northampton Saints is aware of press speculation linking the Club with investment from Saudi Arabia.

Discussions with prospective investors and commercial partners for Northampton Saints regularly take place, but the Club has had no direct contact with any investors from Saudi Arabia.

Any potential commercial opportunity is judged by the Club on its own merits, always taking into consideration the fantastic ongoing support we already receive from our shareholders, commercial partners, and our loyal fanbase.

We continue to focus all of our efforts on ensuring the future sustainability of Northampton Saints as a Club competing at the top level of English and European rugby, while also remaining the heartbeat of our local community."

[Banquo]

Wonder if the Saudis know that 27% of commercial income goes to CVC?

[Margin_Walker]

Haha, wow. Mods shilling for the House of Saud already. You could get rich in a few clicks Puja!

As it turns out, this whole thread is now declared too political and will be deleted the second the cheque clears.

Puja

Just seen another poster on that thread politely ask why his previous post linking to Amnesty International was deleted. And then get that query instantly zapped as well.

Boy those lads are keen over there.

You really could learn a few things.

[Puja]

Writing a letter to Leicester and thought I'd get feedback on it from here. Any and all critique gratefully accepted.

To whom it may concern,

I would like to preface this letter with some context - I have supported Leicester Tigers fanatically from the age of 10. Every Christmas present was a new shirt and my first e-mail password was "Healey!!!" because of the try he scored against Toulouse in the European semi-final. I adore this club and have done for the past 29 years.

That is why I was horrified to see our name mentioned in connection with the Saudi Public Investment Fund this week. I am hoping that it is just arrant speculation on the part of the press, with no basis in fact and that you are on the verge of releasing a statement denying any truth in the matter, just as Northampton did the other day. However, if it is not, then I am writing to beg you to reconsider.

I am sure you already know the repression of the press, the underclass of abused and exploited migrant workers who are kept with no rights, the jailing for decades of anyone speaking for personal freedoms, the fact that the kingdom has executed over 1,300 people since 2015, often under kangaroo courts, flimsy evidence, and with tortured confessions. Some of those executed were children when the alleged crimes were committed. Aside from those, 20% of the country lives in abject poverty and, instead of investing in them and reducing the hilarious inequality between the super-rich elite and the majority, the royal family are spending their money on branding, buying sporting events and clubs, and the loyalty that comes with them.

I appreciate that money is tight and that investment is always necessary and that compromises sometimes must be made to keep the books balanced. However, the costs attached to this are too high.

I adore this club, but I am not exaggerating to say that I would rather we went the way of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish, if the only alternative was to take part in sportswashing a repressive, homophobic, misogynistic, and murderous regime. I would not want us to sell our soul in the name of survival.

Hopefully, this message is crossing over with a statement that there was never any truth in the rumour but, if not, I hope that this letter, and the others like it, lead you to reconsider.

Yours faithfully,

Puja

[jimKRFC]

Seems completely reasonable to me. I would expect Tom Tainton (COO) to respond to that if I sent it to him.

[FKAS]

Writing a letter to Leicester and thought I'd get feedback on it from here. Any and all critique gratefully accepted.

To whom it may concern,

I would like to preface this letter with some context - I have supported Leicester Tigers fanatically from the age of 10. Every Christmas present was a new shirt and my first e-mail password was "Healey!!!" because of the try he scored against Toulouse in the European semi-final. I adore this club and have done for the past 29 years.

That is why I was horrified to see our name mentioned in connection with the Saudi Public Investment Fund this week. I am hoping that it is just arrant speculation on the part of the press, with no basis in fact and that you are on the verge of releasing a statement denying any truth in the matter, just as Northampton did the other day. However, if it is not, then I am writing to beg you to reconsider.

I am sure you already know the repression of the press, the underclass of abused and exploited migrant workers who are kept with no rights, the jailing for decades of anyone speaking for personal freedoms, the fact that the kingdom has executed over 1,300 people since 2015, often under kangaroo courts, flimsy evidence, and with tortured confessions. Some of those executed were children when the alleged crimes were committed. Aside from those, 20% of the country lives in abject poverty and, instead of investing in them and reducing the hilarious inequality between the super-rich elite and the majority, the royal family are spending their money on branding, buying sporting events and clubs, and the loyalty that comes with them.

I appreciate that money is tight and that investment is always necessary and that compromises sometimes must be made to keep the books balanced. However, the costs attached to this are too high.

I adore this club, but I am not exaggerating to say that I would rather we went the way of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish, if the only alternative was to take part in sportswashing a repressive, homophobic, misogynistic, and murderous regime. I would not want us to sell our soul in the name of survival.

Hopefully, this message is crossing over with a statement that there was never any truth in the rumour but, if not, I hope that this letter, and the others like it, lead you to reconsider.

Yours faithfully,

Puja

*Like*

[Mr Mwenda]

Good letter - one of the uses of "adore" could perhaps be replaced with a synonym was my only quibble.

[Puja]

Good letter - one of the uses of "adore" could perhaps be replaced with a synonym was my only quibble.

Good catch; thank you!

Puja

[Danno]

Damn, can't log in as Puja. Maybe it's Healy1!!

Letter looks good and reads well.

[Puja]

Damn, can't log in as Puja. Maybe it's Healy1!!

Letter looks good and reads well.

It was actually Healey on here until quite recently - I actually checked to make sure I'd changed it before posting that!

Puja

[Spiffy]

Good stuff Puja. Nobody wants to see Tigers (or others) shekeled by Saudies.

[Margin_Walker]

+1

Ultimately, whilst something like this may go ahead anyway out of perceived necessity, it doesn't hurt for clubs to be made aware of the cost.

[paddy no 11]

Writing a letter to Leicester and thought I'd get feedback on it from here. Any and all critique gratefully accepted.

To whom it may concern,

I would like to preface this letter with some context - I have supported Leicester Tigers fanatically from the age of 10. Every Christmas present was a new shirt and my first e-mail password was "Healey!!!" because of the try he scored against Toulouse in the European semi-final. I adore this club and have done for the past 29 years.

That is why I was horrified to see our name mentioned in connection with the Saudi Public Investment Fund this week. I am hoping that it is just arrant speculation on the part of the press, with no basis in fact and that you are on the verge of releasing a statement denying any truth in the matter, just as Northampton did the other day. However, if it is not, then I am writing to beg you to reconsider.

I am sure you already know the repression of the press, the underclass of abused and exploited migrant workers who are kept with no rights, the jailing for decades of anyone speaking for personal freedoms, the fact that the kingdom has executed over 1,300 people since 2015, often under kangaroo courts, flimsy evidence, and with tortured confessions. Some of those executed were children when the alleged crimes were committed. Aside from those, 20% of the country lives in abject poverty and, instead of investing in them and reducing the hilarious inequality between the super-rich elite and the majority, the royal family are spending their money on branding, buying sporting events and clubs, and the loyalty that comes with them.

I appreciate that money is tight and that investment is always necessary and that compromises sometimes must be made to keep the books balanced. However, the costs attached to this are too high.

I adore this club, but I am not exaggerating to say that I would rather we went the way of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish, if the only alternative was to take part in sportswashing a repressive, homophobic, misogynistic, and murderous regime. I would not want us to sell our soul in the name of survival.

Hopefully, this message is crossing over with a statement that there was never any truth in the rumour but, if not, I hope that this letter, and the others like it, lead you to reconsider.

Yours faithfully,

Puja

*Like*

Good stuff Puja

[FKAS]

Just been onto the Leicester messageboard to try and rabble rouse for a pushback to this and was appalled to see a large number of "Weeeeeell, I'm sure it wouldn't be too bad and we do need the funding."

Ah yes the "as long as we don't have to see the bad stuff" or the "ignorance is bliss" approach.

The media in this country and our own government (all three parties) have long since turned a blind eye to the crimes in the oil states because they wanted access to the financial resources from said oil. The attitude has generally then been adopted by the populace, only helped by the investment in various football clubs etc.

My post has since been deleted by the mods.

Puja

They deleted mine which merely mentioned that you'd find various accusations levelled at the Saudi state if you Google it.

[Puja]

Ah yes the "as long as we don't have to see the bad stuff" or the "ignorance is bliss" approach.

The media in this country and our own government (all three parties) have long since turned a blind eye to the crimes in the oil states because they wanted access to the financial resources from said oil. The attitude has generally then been adopted by the populace, only helped by the investment in various football clubs etc.

My post has since been deleted by the mods.

Puja

They deleted mine which merely mentioned that you'd find various accusations levelled at the Saudi state if you Google it.

I made a post which was basically, "I have concern that, because the anti-investment posts all touch on politics, with them being removed, it's giving the wrong impression to any casual visitor because it appears that there is no opposition to the investment."

It has been removed.

May I recommend that you write an e-mail like mine anyway. A few well-written missives will carry a lot more weight than several dozen messageboard posts.

Puja

[Danno]

My post has since been deleted by the mods.

Puja

They deleted mine which merely mentioned that you'd find various accusations levelled at the Saudi state if you Google it.

I made a post which was basically, "I have concern that, because the anti-investment posts all touch on politics, with them being removed, it's giving the wrong impression to any casual visitor because it appears that there is no opposition to the investment."

It has been removed.

May I recommend that you write an e-mail like mine anyway. A few well-written missives will carry a lot more weight than several dozen messageboard posts.

Puja

Could you post the email address please. I'm minded to send something in while mentioning the behaviour of their forum mods (as a lurker only)

[FKAS]

They deleted mine which merely mentioned that you'd find various accusations levelled at the Saudi state if you Google it.

I made a post which was basically, "I have concern that, because the anti-investment posts all touch on politics, with them being removed, it's giving the wrong impression to any casual visitor because it appears that there is no opposition to the investment."

It has been removed.

May I recommend that you write an e-mail like mine anyway. A few well-written missives will carry a lot more weight than several dozen messageboard posts.

Puja

Could you post the email address please. I'm minded to send something in while mentioning the behaviour of their forum mods (as a lurker only)

I have some mild sympathy for the mods as they are supposed to keep politics off the board but at the same time you can't have that topic on there and not have politics mentioned.

[Puja]

They deleted mine which merely mentioned that you'd find various accusations levelled at the Saudi state if you Google it.

I made a post which was basically, "I have concern that, because the anti-investment posts all touch on politics, with them being removed, it's giving the wrong impression to any casual visitor because it appears that there is no opposition to the investment."

It has been removed.

May I recommend that you write an e-mail like mine anyway. A few well-written missives will carry a lot more weight than several dozen messageboard posts.

Puja

Could you post the email address please. I'm minded to send something in while mentioning the behaviour of their forum mods (as a lurker only)

I sent to the general one - tigers@tigers.co.uk

I have some mild sympathy for the mods as they are supposed to keep politics off the board but at the same time you can't have that topic on there and not have politics mentioned.

I have some sympathy too, but they're going ridiculously over the top right now, so that's fading fast.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

I have some mild sympathy for the mods as they are supposed to keep politics off the board but at the same time you can't have that topic on there and not have politics mentioned.

Yeah, but...
A] It's impossible to actually keep politics out of just about any discussion.
B] "No Politics" means no approval and no fence-sitting, not just no disapproval.

As a work-around, could you "publish" it as an open letter to the Tigers' board; and post it on the forum as a link? (twatter / blogspot, or somewhere)
It's a bit cheeky, but i] not as much so as their policing of the "No Politics" rule, and ii] it's an important thing, that needs to be said.

[Puja]

I have some mild sympathy for the mods as they are supposed to keep politics off the board but at the same time you can't have that topic on there and not have politics mentioned.

Yeah, but...
A] It's impossible to actually keep politics out of just about any discussion.
B] "No Politics" means no approval and no fence-sitting, not just no disapproval.

As a work-around, could you "publish" it as an open letter to the Tigers' board; and post it on the forum as a link? (twatter / blogspot, or somewhere)
It's a bit cheeky, but i] not as much so as their policing of the "No Politics" rule, and ii] it's an important thing, that needs to be said.

Considering they swatted me just for mentioning that I was concerned that deleting posts was giving the wrong impression of fans responses (so not mentioning a damned thing about politics, but just alluding to its presence), I doubt it'd last very long.

Puja

[p/d]

Healey!!!! I am constantly surprised

[FKAS]

I made a post which was basically, "I have concern that, because the anti-investment posts all touch on politics, with them being removed, it's giving the wrong impression to any casual visitor because it appears that there is no opposition to the investment."

It has been removed.

May I recommend that you write an e-mail like mine anyway. A few well-written missives will carry a lot more weight than several dozen messageboard posts.

Puja

Could you post the email address please. I'm minded to send something in while mentioning the behaviour of their forum mods (as a lurker only)

I sent to the general one - tigers@tigers.co.uk

I have some mild sympathy for the mods as they are supposed to keep politics off the board but at the same time you can't have that topic on there and not have politics mentioned.

I have some sympathy too, but they're going ridiculously over the top right now, so that's fading fast.

Puja

Yes, they certainly are.

[Banquo]

surely this thread should be on the politics board

[p/d]

surely this thread should be on the politics board

Mod!!!