Newcastle Takeover: No Police Action On Crystal Palace Fans' Banner
25 October 2021
Police say no additional action will be taken after a banner shown by Crystal Palace fans targeted the Saudi Arabian-led takeover of .
The banner took objective 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 evaluation, officers have concluded that no offences have actually been committed," said Croydon police, external.
"No more action will be taken."
The banner featured illustrations of a male dressed in standard Arabic clothing alongside what seemed Premier League chief executive 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 heading 'Premier League Owners Test' were 'Terrorism, beheading, civil rights abuses, murder, censorship and persecution'.
The male 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 actually rightly gotten extensive condemnation and anger," it said.
"To give the thumbs as much as this offer at a time when the Premier League is promoting the women's game and inclusive efforts such as rainbow armbands, reveals the total hypocrisy at play and shows the league's soulless agenda where profits exceed all."
The takeover was 80% funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), whose chair is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
When authorizing the takeover, the Premier League stated it had received legal guarantees from the 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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