Police drop investigation into Selhurst Park banner criticising Newcastle owners

On Saturday, in the Holmesdale End at Selhurst Park, a group attempted to highlight the human rights issues in Saudi Arabia and criticised the Premier League's owners' and directors' test.

The move from the fans comes after the Premier League gave the go-ahead for a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's state sovereign wealth fund (Public Investment Fund) to take control of Newcastle earlier this month.

An investigation was launched later that day, however, it was revealed on Monday that it's been closed.

"Following an assessment, officers have concluded that no offences have been committed," said Croydon police.

"No further action will be taken."

The London club's supporters group, Holmesdale Fanatics, released a statement not long after the banner had been unveiled before the match with Newcastle got under way.

"The Saudi led takeover of Newcastle has rightly received widespread condemnation and anger," it read.

"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."

On the banner 'terrorism, beheading, civil rights abuses, murder, censorship and persecution' were ticked off on a clipboard under the heading 'Premier League Owners Test'. Next to it stood a man wearing Arab-style clothing and holding a sword with blood on it.

But the Holmesdale Fanatics were not the only Palace fans group to protest against the Newcastle takeover during the game.

Proud and Palace, the club's official lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supporters group, posted a video on their Twitter account which highlighted the case of Suhail al-Jameel, a gay man reportedly imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.

A spokeswoman for the group said: "We want to pick up the baton started by our counterparts at Spurs, LGBT group Proud Lilywhites, by raising awareness of Suhail al-Jameel."

She added: "We don't believe these owners have a place in the Premier League and we want to keep raising awareness."

The Premier League has been approached for a comment.