Mail Online

NO PUNISHMENT FOR PALACE OVER BANNER

By SAMI MOKBEL Chief Football Reporter

CRYSTAL Palace are likely to escape FA sanctions for the provocative banner unfurled on Saturday by a group of their fans condemning Newcastle’s new Saudi Arabian owners.

The Metropolitan Police yesterday dropped their initial investigation into the huge flag held up at Selhurst Park, ahead of the 1-1 draw between the two teams, having launched the probe after a complaint.

In a statement, Croydon police said: ‘On Saturday, a member of the public contacted us to raise concerns about a banner displayed at the Crystal Palace versus Newcastle match at Selhurst Park.

‘Following an assessment, officers have concluded that no offences have been committed. No further action will be taken.’

Sportsmail understands that Palace are also unlikely to face punishment for failing to control their supporters over the graphic banner, though any decision by the Football Association not to sanction the club will not be linked to the prior police investigation.

FA disciplinary chiefs have considered whether the banner constitutes an offence under their regulations and it is now unlikely Palace will face any action.

The banner featured drawings of a man dressed in traditional Arabic attire next to a man who appeared to be Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.

The flag also included a checklist of the alleged offences committed by the Saudi regime. Listed on an illustration of a clipboard under the headline, ‘Premier League Owners Test’ were: ‘terrorism, beheading, civil rights abuses, murder, censorship and persecution’.

The man in Arab-style clothing was also holding a sword with blood on it. Palace fans’ group Holmesdale Fanatics have taken responsibility for the banner.

‘The Saudi led takeover of Newcastle has rightly received widespread condemnation and anger,’ read a statement.

‘To give the thumbs up to this deal at a time when the Premier League is promoting the women’s game and inclusive initiatives such as rainbow armbands, shows the total hypocrisy at play and demonstrates the league’s soulless agenda where profits trump all.’

Newcastle’s takeover was 80 per cent financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), whose chair is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Arabian man on the banner had the word ‘PIF’ emblazoned across the front of his gown.

When rubber-stamping the takeover, the Premier League said they had received legal assurances from the new owners that the Saudi state would not be controlling Newcastle with the club facing penalties if it was not the case.

The Palace fans group’s statement said this decision ‘made a mockery’ of the league’s owners’ and directors’ test.

TENNIS

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