Newcastle United to wear 'Saudi flag colours' away kit next season, leaked images claim
The club's 2022-23 season away jersey bears a striking resemblance to the Saudi national football team's current kit, leaked images published by British news outlets show.
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Newcastle United's 2022-23 away jersey could bear a striking resemblance to that of Saudi Arabia's national football team [AFP via Getty]
Premier League team Newcastle United look set to rock Saudi national colours next season, leaked images of their new kit show, months after Riyadh obtained the English club.
Photos of the top-flight club's jersey for the 2022-23 season were published on Thursday by British news outlets The Daily Mail and The Telegraph.
According to the photos, the jerseys will be white with green piping on their sleeves and neckline. The club's crest and sports sponsor logo will also be in white and green.
The new kit bears a striking resemblance to the Saudi national football team, and marks a drastic departure from the Magpies' current black-and-gold away kit.
The club has yet to confirm the change in the team's away colours.
Critics say the new kit is further proof that Saudi Arabia is using 'sportswashing' to detract from its abysmal human rights record, after Saudi's Public Investment Fund (PIF) led a takeover of the Premier League side last year.
For approval from the Premier League, the PIF - a sovereign wealth fund - had to prove there would be no Saudi government interference in the club after the change of hands.
Earlier this week, the club appointed Majed Al Sorour, the chief executive of Saudi Golf, as a director, documents from the UK government's Companies House show.
Owners: We are 100%, guaranteed that Newcastle United are not going to be owned by the Saudi Arabian state.
— Phil Spencer (@PhilSpenc23) May 13, 2022
9 months later: Here's our new shirt 🤔#NUFC pic.twitter.com/CvCk65FH5l
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