Newcastle followers reckon Saudi Arabia has been ‘Geordie-washed’ after a store promoting booze was given the inexperienced gentle to open – for the primary time in 70 years.
The retailer in Riyadh comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose Private Investment Fund (PIF) has a majority stake within the Magpies, goals to make the dominion a sporting hub – a observe some critics have branded ‘sportswashing’. However, the store is simply open to non-Muslim diplomats.
Since prohibition grew to become regulation in 1952, after one in every of King Abdulaziz’s sons drunkenly shot lifeless a British diplomat, officers needed to import alcohol into the nation in sealed packages. However, they’ll now get pleasure from a neighborhood tipple after the store was opened subsequent to a grocery store in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter.
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It is described as much like an upscale duty-free store at a significant worldwide airport. The store shares spirits, wine however solely two sorts of beer at current, a diplomat informed the AP information company.
Workers on the retailer ask clients for his or her diplomatic identification and for them to put their cellphones inside pouches whereas inside. The shock growth within the deeply-conservative nation has left followers questioning if Newcastle’s connection to the nation has performed a task within the determination.
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(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP by way of Getty Images)
One quipped: “The Newcastle effect!!! Sportswashing [red cross emoji]. GeordieWashing [green tick emoji].” Another requested: “Is this…. Magwashing?” A 3rd mentioned: “The Geordie influence.”
Meanwhile, a Liverpool fan account posted a meme of Jordan Henderson, who not too long ago left the nation for Ajax after simply six months with Al-Ettifaq, and wrote: “Arrived. Influenced an alcohol shop. Leaves. HENDOOOO.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Another joked: “Jordan Henderson achieved something after all.”
Following his controversial transfer to the Saudi Pro League, Henderson, who had beforehand championed homosexual rights, infamously claimed he was shifting to Saudi to assist “grow the game”.