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

25 October 2021


Police say no more 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 current ₤ 305m sale.


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


"Following an assessment, officers have actually concluded that no offenses have been committed," said Croydon police, external.


"No more action will be taken."


The banner featured illustrations of a man worn standard Arabic clothes along with what seemed League president Richard Masters.


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


Listed on an image of a clipboard under the heading 'Premier League Owners Test' were 'Terrorism, beheading, civil rights 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 provided a declaration.


"The Saudi led takeover of Newcastle has appropriately gotten extensive condemnation and anger," it stated.


"To give the thumbs approximately this deal at a time when the Premier League is promoting the females's video game and inclusive initiatives such as rainbow armbands, shows the overall hypocrisy at play and demonstrates the league's soulless agenda where revenues trump 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 gotten legal guarantees from the brand-new owners that the Saudi state would not manage Newcastle United and there would be charges if it was proved otherwise.


The fans group's statement stated this decision "made a mockery" of the 'Owners and Directors' test.


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