Newcastle Takeover: No Police Action On Crystal Palace Fans' Banner
25 October 2021
Police state no more action will be taken after a banner shown by Crystal Palace fans targeted the Saudi Arabian-led takeover of Newcastle United.
The banner took aim 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 dedicated," said Croydon authorities, external.
"No more action will be taken."
The banner included illustrations of a guy worn standard Arabic clothing along with what seemed Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.
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The banner had a checklist with alleged offenses 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 guy in Arab-style clothes was likewise 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 as much as this deal at a time when the Premier League is promoting the women's video game and inclusive initiatives such as rainbow armbands, shows the overall hypocrisy at play and shows the league's soulless program where earnings trump 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 actually gotten legal guarantees from the brand-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 declaration stated this choice "made a mockery" of the 'Owners and Directors' test.
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