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 objective 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 actually concluded that no offences have actually been devoted," said Croydon police, external.


"No additional action will be taken."


The banner included illustrations of a male dressed in traditional Arabic clothes along with what seemed Premier League president Richard Masters.


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The banner had a checklist with supposed offences by the Saudi Arabia routine.


Listed on an image of a clipboard under the headline 'Premier League Owners Test' were 'Terrorism, beheading, civil rights abuses, murder, censorship and persecution'.


The man in Arab-style clothing was also holding a sword with blood on it.


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


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


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


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


When approving the takeover, the Premier League stated it had actually received legal guarantees from the brand-new owners that the Saudi state would not control Newcastle United and there would be charges if it was shown otherwise.


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


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