Joan Gaspart, who has had roles as a vice-president and president at Barcelona, has taken a swipe at Newcastle United fans and the manner in which they’ve celebrated their recent takeover.
The Magpies were bought by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund last week, bringing an end to Mike Ashley’s disastrous tenure as the club’s owner.
The announcement was greeted with wild enthusiasm by the majority of the Newcastle faithful, who thought they had plenty to celebrate with the news.
Most of their pleasure was at finally getting rid of Ashley, but there is also the fact that they have officially a power in world football, with their owner’s wealth far surpassing that on offer at the likes of PSG and Manchester City.
While they celebrated, many have been questioning why the deal has been allowed and if there should be that much excitement about Newcastle becoming the latest club to be bought by a regime accused of a plethora of crimes.
Gaspart is one of those who isn’t convinced and pointed out that his former club Barcelona would never act in such a way.
“What worries me a lot is that Barcelona will become an S.A.D (a business), something I would never allow,” he told Radioeste Noche, relayed by Onda Cero.
“It has a ring to it, and when something is repeated many times, it is to see if it is going to occur to someone.
“Newcastle members took to the streets to celebrate that a fund joined the club. Can you imagine Barcelona members taking to the streets because a fund joined?
“We are the way we are, and we are not going to change.”
