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

25 October 2021


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


The banner took aim 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 evaluation, officers have concluded that no offences have actually been devoted," stated Croydon authorities, external.


"No further action will be taken."


The banner featured illustrations of a guy dressed in conventional Arabic clothes together with what appeared to be Premier League president Richard Masters.


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The banner had a list with supposed offences by the Saudi Arabia regime.


Listed on a photo of a clipboard under the headline '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 statement.


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


"To offer the thumbs as much as this offer at a time when the Premier League is promoting the females's video game and inclusive efforts such as rainbow armbands, shows the total hypocrisy at play and demonstrates the league's soulless agenda where profits surpass all."


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


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


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


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