Newcastle Takeover: No Police Action On Crystal Palace Fans' Banner
25 October 2021
Police say no more action will be taken after a banner displayed 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 recent ₤ 305m sale.
It was shown throughout Palace's 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Saturday.
"Following an assessment, officers have concluded that no offenses have actually been committed," said Croydon authorities, external.
"No additional action will be taken."
The banner featured illustrations of a male worn standard Arabic clothes along with what appeared to be Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.
Newcastle owners change position on conventional Arabic clothes
1-1 Newcastle: Match report
Six factors why Newcastle takeover is questionable
The banner had a checklist with supposed offences by the Saudi Arabia regime.
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 guy 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 issued a declaration.
"The Saudi led takeover of Newcastle has rightly received extensive condemnation and anger," it stated.
"To give the thumbs up to 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 total hypocrisy at play and demonstrates the league's soulless program where profits trump all."
The takeover was 80% financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), whose chair is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
When approving the takeover, the Premier League said it had received legal assurances from the new owners that the Saudi state would not control Newcastle United and there would be penalties if it was proved otherwise.
The fans group's statement said this decision "made a mockery" of the 'Owners and Directors' test.
'That day was going to be a bad day' Exclusive video footage and interviews from January's storming of the US capitol
Ridley Road: Caught in between life and death in the swinging sixties
Premier League
Crystal Palace
Newcastle United
Football