Newcastle Takeover: No Police Action On Crystal Palace Fans' Banner

25 October 2021


Police state no additional action will be taken after a banner shown by Crystal Palace fans targeted the Saudi Arabian-led takeover of Newcastle United.


The banner took goal at the Premier League's ownership test, following Newcastle's recent ₤ 305m sale.


It was shown during Palace's 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Saturday.


"Following an assessment, officers have concluded that no offenses have been dedicated," stated Croydon cops, external.


"No additional action will be taken."


The banner included illustrations of a man dressed in standard Arabic clothing together with what seemed Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.


Newcastle owners change stance on standard Arabic clothes


Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle: Match report


Six reasons Newcastle takeover is controversial


The banner had a checklist with supposed offenses by the Saudi Arabia regime.


Listed on a photo of a clipboard under the heading 'Premier League Owners Test' were 'Terrorism, beheading, civil liberties abuses, murder, censorship and persecution'.


The male in Arab-style clothes was likewise holding a sword with blood on it.


Palace fan group Holmesdale Fanatics took credit for the banner on Twitter, and issued a declaration.


"The Saudi led takeover of Newcastle has actually rightly gotten widespread condemnation and anger," it said.


"To provide the thumbs as much as this deal at a time when the Premier League is promoting the ladies's game and inclusive efforts such as rainbow armbands, shows the overall hypocrisy at play and demonstrates the league's soulless agenda where revenues surpass all."


The takeover was 80% financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Mutual fund (PIF), whose chair is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.


When approving the takeover, the Premier League said it had actually gotten legal assurances from the new owners that the Saudi state would not United and there would be charges if it was shown otherwise.


The fans group's declaration said this choice "made a mockery" of the 'Owners and Directors' test.


'That day was going to be a bad day' Exclusive footage and interviews from January's storming of the US capitol


Ridley Road: Caught between life and death in the swinging sixties


Premier League


Crystal Palace


Newcastle United


Football