Back to the Newcastle United Newsfeed

Alan Shearer insists Newcastle fans must 'educate ourselves' on rights abuses after £305m Saudi takeover, but hits back at criticism of supporters celebrating end of Mike Ashley's disastrous 14-year era

Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United supporters must be willing to take on board criticism of the Saudi backing the club will receive as part of their £305m takeover.

Mike Ashley's debilitating 14 year reign at St James' Park was officially brought to an end on Thursday with news that the Premier League had finally ratified a takeover involving the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

While the news brought wild scenes in Newcastle, as fans assembled outside the ground to celebrate the news, it has also brought with it plenty of concern.

Alan Shearer insists Newcastle United fans must educate themselves on Saudi rights abuses

Amnesty International are among those to publicly disapprove of the deal, while Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has described the ratification as a 'real shame'.