Ex-Newcastle United star's foolish tweet about Sheffield United's Saudi takeover

Former striker Michael Chopra has questioned why Sheffield United were not given the same treatment as Newcastle United during Prince Abdullah Bin’s takeover.

Chopra, a Magpies fan and former player, has hit out on Twitter at the level of scrutiny regarding the proposed £300million takeover of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

The tweet read: “Why didn't all these people trying to sabotage the @NUFC takeover come out the woodwork when @SheffieldUnited got took over.”

Abdullah Bin, a Saudi prince and businessman, first got involved with the Blades in 2013 before acquiring a majority stake in the Bramall Lane club last year.

Indeed, as pointed out in the replies, there is a difference between the two takeovers. PIF would make Newcastle a state-owned club whereas the Blades are controlled by an individual.

“They weren't being taken over by a country,” one reply said. Another read: “Sheffield United was a personal takeover”.