Newcastle United ask fans not to wear traditional Arabic clothing at matches

Newcastle have begged fans to stop wearing mock-Arabic head scarfs to games.

Some Geordies turned up to the opening game of the Saudi Arabian-funded takeover - the weekend encounter with Tottenham Hotspur - dressed in gowns and kaffiyeh, the traditional head wear.

But they were condemned by anti-racism group Kick it Out who believed the fancy dress could be racism, offensive or culturally insensitive.

The club acted on Wednesday to "kindly ask" fans not to wear such clothing unless they already did.

A statement read: "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.

"No-one among the new ownership group was in any way offended by the attire of the fans who chose to celebrate in this way. It was a gesture that was acknowledged as positive and welcoming in its intent.

Newcastle United fans wave black and white flags and banners celebrating the club's recent take over by a Saudi-led consortium ( Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

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

"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."

The statement comes after Newcastle's new owners - who have been accused of purchasing the Tyneside club as an act of 'sportswashing' - finally parted company with boss Steve Bruce.

After two years at the helm, Bruce has left, officially by "mutual consent" after taking charge of his 1000th game as a manager in the 3-2 weekend defeat by Spurs.

Bruce is understood to be set for an £8million payoff as per his contract.

His departure had been expected since the Saudi Arabian-backed consortium completed their takeover of the club a little under two weeks ago.

Former Newcastle captain Alan Shearer has thanked Bruce for keeping the club in the Premier League while working under the restraints imposed by former owner Mike Ashley.

While many fans celebrated the news of Bruce's exit from St James' Park on Wednesday morning, Shearer used social media to pay tribute to the outgoing manager.

"I know how tough it was for any manager at Newcastle for the last 14 years," Shearer wrote.

"I also know how badly Steve and his family wanted it to work. In difficult circumstances for everybody, he kept NUFC up for two seasons.

"It's a new era now, but thank you, Steve, for your effort & commitment."

Bruce's tenure is now at an end

Ex-Newcastle defender Steve Howey told Sky Sports News Bruce's exit was "inevitable" but added that much of the criticism he had faced from fans was over the top.

"Steve Bruce himself was more or less realistic about the situation," he said. "We all know when new owners come in they will be looking to change things around and that includes the manager.

"It might have been slightly different if results had been decent but a lot of Newcastle fans had lost patience with the manager purely and simply because results have not been great.

"I think it was something like seven wins in the last 37 and we haven't won this season… It comes as no surprise. Steve was very spiky, and fair play to him, when he did his interviews with the press on Friday and it will hurt because some of the criticism overstepped the mark for me.

"Yes, you get criticism when results don't go your way but I thought some of it was way over the top and uncalled for because it was personal.

"But Steve will come back. He can have a break with his lovely family and come back refreshed and look for another challenge."