Newcastle MP criticised for taking club freebies as Saudi criticism fades

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Martin Macdonald | Writer

Dame Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central and West, has been urged to stop accepting hospitality from Newcastle United.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) took over Newcastle in October of 2021, ending Mike Ashley’s 14-year ownership of the club. They have pumped money into the Magpies and eventually got the club back into the Champions League.

Their ownership has been criticised due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record, which Onwurah has commented on previously.

She described the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a "murderous state" in a House of Commons debate on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Four years later, she stood in the Commons wearing Newcastle colours to call the execution of 81 people in Saudi Arabia an “atrocious, horrific massacre”.

When the Saudi Arabia national team played friendlies at St James’ Park in 2023, Onwurah said, “we must not forget that" the country continues to have "one of the most atrocious human rights records in the world”.

Between 2024 and 2026, however, the criticism appeared to fade, reports City AM.

The publication reports that Onwurah has received around £5,000 worth of freebies from the club in that period.

"In November 2024, she and her partner were given a hospitality package for Newcastle United Women’s match against Southampton," City AM confirms.

"She and a guest were also invited to the Carabao Cup victory celebrations, valued at £850 per person, in 2025. Weeks later, she and a staff member were given tickets worth £250 each to a Sam Fender gig at St James’ Park."

John Hird, founder of campaign group NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing, said:

“MPs shouldn’t be taking freebies from the club. What’s happening with Manchester City should concern Newcastle fans. Newcastle fans are living in a bubble.”

Hird's reference to Man City concerns the club being found guilty of 114 financial breaches through their Abu Dhabi ownership.

Onwurah insists that she continues to raise Saudi Arabia's human rights record but that the PIF represents a significany financial investor in the city of Newcastle.

“I remain deeply concerned by the human rights record of Saudi Arabia which does not reflect the values of our city and I continue to raise this in Parliament,” she told City AM.

“Newcastle United fans do not get to choose the owners of the club, but the club remains an important investor in the city, a contributor to the city’s economy and a beloved cultural and social asset – Newcastle is united in its support for the Toon.

“Since the takeover I have continued to raise issues around Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, most recently this very month, but also in 2025 and 2023 as raised with me by constituents.

“Over those five years I have accepted hospitality to promote St James as a destination, women’s football, and our team’s success on the pitch, which has been fully declared.”