Human rights activists were dismayed to learn that police were investigating a banner expressing opposition to the Saudi takeover Newcastle United.
The probe into Crystal Palace fans’ decision to highlight the Gulf state’s human rights atrocities was described as ‘remarkable’.
The banner accused the Saudi regime, backers of the multi-million-pound takeover, of murder, terrorism and beheadings and took a swipe at the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test.

The Holmesdale Fanatics, a Crystal Palace fan group, met at Newcastle’s Saudi owners.

Directors Amanda Staveley & Mehrdad Ghodoussi attended Selhurst Park
‘The banner is the type of cutting political satire that the UK can rightly be proud of,’ Nicholas McGeehan, director of human rights consultancy FairSquare, said.
‘The Crystal Palace fans who made it deserve nothing but credit. We should not be repressing our hard-fought rights and freedoms to spare the feelings of the Saudi state or the Newcastle fans who desperately want to believe that criticism of the Saudis’ human rights abuses is racist.’
‘It clearly attributes the abuses to the Saudi state and not to Saudis in general,’ McGeehan said.
‘But if people are going to be offended when people satirise that in a creative way, there is nothing for the police to be investigating.’
Police said they had received complaints the mural was ‘offensive’. ‘Officers are carrying out enquiries,’ said Croydon Metropolitan Police. ‘Allegations of racist abuse will be taken seriously.’
The Holmesdale Fanatics, a Crystal Palace fan group, condemned Newcastle’s recent takeover and displayed the banner in the stands during the match between the two sides.
Newcastle and Palace drew 1-1 at Selhurst Park. The visitors won their first Premier League point in their new era. But it was off the pitch that the most noteworthy action took place.
Newcastle’s Saudi-led owners were the subject a protest by a section Palace fans. They criticized the Premier League’s decision not to allow the takeover and called attention to the actions taken by the Saudi regime.
The statement stated: ‘The Saudi-led takeover in Newcastle has rightly been condemned and angered. It is obvious that P.I.F is a front to the tyrannical Saudi regime. Premier League made a mockery out of its own Owners and Directors’ test by endorsing this.
“The Premier League has chosen to do business with one the most bloody and oppressive regimes in this world, and has thus endorsed this deal.
“A country controlled by fear, where women are second-class citizens and journalists are silenced, imprisoned, or killed, now has a foothold at our national game.
‘To give the thumbs up to this deal when the Premier League promotes the women’s sport and inclusive initiatives such rainbow armbands is hypocritical and demonstrates that the League’s soulless agenda in which profits trump all is an example of the League’s hypocrisy.

Holmesdale Fanatics condemned the Premier League’s “total hypocrisy” for allowing the takeover
‘Newcastle is being used as a team to sportswash the blood of corrupt governance. Deluded fans should consider this reality when singing about ‘getting their club back.
“We are blessed to live in a country like this. We can proudly display it without fear. Many people in Saudi Arabia would love to have those banners.
Newcastle advised fans not to wear Arabic attire to matches earlier in week, after hundreds of supporters did the same at St. James’ Park against Tottenham in their first match after the takeover.
Kick It Out announced they were planning to meet Newcastle, and encourage fans to refrain from wearing tea towels on the heads in celebration of their new owners.

Newcastle has retracted their statement regarding fans wearing Arabic clothing at matches
The club stated: “Newcastle United is kindly asking fans to refrain from wearing traditional Arabic clothes or Middle East-inspired head covers at matches if it’s not their usual attire.”
They have since retracted that statement in a new statement. It seems that the club’s new owners see fans’ attire as a way to show support and warm welcome.
The club stated that fans who had worn culturally traditional clothing including head covers have been part of the welcome.
“Those who wish to support the club in culturally-inspired clothing are welcome to do so. We welcome all.
“To repeat what we said earlier, neither the club or its new owners were offended attire worn, but appreciate the overt declarations of support by our great supporters and acceptance.