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 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 evaluation, officers have concluded that no offenses have been committed," stated Croydon police, external.
"No more action will be taken."
The banner included illustrations of a man worn traditional Arabic clothing along with what seemed Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.
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The banner had a checklist with alleged offences by the Saudi Arabia program.
Listed on a photo of a clipboard under the headline 'Premier League Owners Test' were 'Terrorism, beheading, civil rights abuses, murder, censorship and persecution'.
The male in Arab-style clothes was also holding a sword with blood on it.
Palace fan group Holmesdale Fanatics took credit for the banner on Twitter, and provided a statement.
"The Saudi led takeover of Newcastle has actually appropriately received prevalent condemnation and anger," it stated.
"To provide the thumbs up to this offer at a time when the Premier League is promoting the women's game and inclusive initiatives such as rainbow armbands, shows the overall hypocrisy at play and shows the league's soulless agenda where profits defeat all."
The takeover was 80% financed by Public Mutual fund (PIF), whose chair is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
When authorizing 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 said this choice "made a mockery" of the 'Owners and Directors' test.
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