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

25 October 2021


Police say no further 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 current ₤ 305m sale.


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


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


"No more action will be taken."


The banner featured illustrations of a guy worn traditional Arabic clothes along with what appeared to be Premier League president Richard Masters.


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The banner had a checklist with alleged offenses by the Saudi Arabia routine.


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 guy in Arab-style clothing was likewise holding a sword with blood on it.


Palace fan group took credit for the banner on Twitter, and provided a declaration.


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


"To give the thumbs approximately this offer at a time when the Premier League is promoting the females's game and inclusive initiatives such as rainbow armbands, shows the total hypocrisy at play and demonstrates the league's soulless agenda where revenues defeat all."


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


When approving the takeover, the Premier League stated it had received legal guarantees 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 decision "made a mockery" of the 'Owners and Directors' test.


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