NEWCASTLE URGES SUPPORTERS NOT TO WEAR ARAB-STYLE CLOTHING AFTER SAUDI TAKEOVER

Wed 20 October 2021:

On Sunday’s Premier League between with Tottenham and Newcastle Some fans of Newcastle wore traditional robes and others donned headdresses.

Thousands of Newcastle fans who welcomed the new Saudi ownership with wild scenes of singing, drinking, wearing Saudi attire and boasting about their club’s newfound wealth, during the first game since the club was taken over.

Newcastle United have urged fans to stop wearing ‘Arabic clothing’ and ‘Middle East-inspired head coverings’ in honour of the club’s new owners #NUFC https://t.co/7FhFbQ68IL pic.twitter.com/KPZBna4PxP

— i sport (@iPaperSport) October 20, 2021

The Premier League approved the £305 million ($420 million) Newcastle takeover earlier this month.

Just in: British Fans of #Newcastle in The U.K while attending the first match after its acquisition by the #Saudi Public Investment Fund 🇸🇦🇬🇧#نيوكاسل pic.twitter.com/85ARaZifc3

— The Saudi Post – English (@TheSaudiPost_En) October 17, 2021

“Newcastle United is kindly asking supporters to refrain from wearing traditional Arabic clothing or Middle East-inspired head coverings at matches if they would not ordinarily wear such attire,” said a club statement on Wednesday.

“A number of supporters have recently attended St James’ Park wearing associated head coverings and robes, marking the takeover of the club by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.”

Newcastle fans after KSA bought the football club 😂 pic.twitter.com/IU66X9kBju

— Basel (@baselfa_1) October 17, 2021

The club said nobody among the new ownership group was offended by the attire, acknowledging it was a gesture that was “positive and welcoming in its intent”.

“However, there remains the possibility that dressing this way is culturally inappropriate and risks causing offence to others,” the statement added.

Newcastle fans are just hilarious😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/h9S4OvG84j

— Floki714 (@Floki714) October 17, 2021

“All visitors to the club are, as always, encouraged to wear whatever is the norm for their own culture or religion, continuing to reflect the broad and rich multicultural communities and groups from which the club proudly draws its support.”

On 7 October, a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – which is worth over $400bn – completed the buyout of the northeast England club, after a previous takeover attempt collapsed last year.

(with agency)

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