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Met Police announce investigation into potentially offensive banner at Crystal Palace v Newcastle United

2 years ago
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Crystal Palace v Newcastle United saw plenty of action and controversy on the pitch.

A feisty match saw seven players booked and it could and maybe should have been a fair few more, as the referee let plenty challenges go, that could have warranted a booking.

Newcastle came away with a point but they were only saved from defeat by VAR intervening with a few minutes of normal time remaining, Benteke ‘scoring’ a headed winner from a corner, only for the intervention of VAR official Lee Mason to rightly point the on the pitch referee Darren England towards his pitchside monitor.

Despite a clear foul shown via replays, the decision only heightened the feeling of perceived injustice amongst the Crystal Palace fans, who felt a number of decisions had conspired against them, when in reality it was Christian Benteke’s wasteful finishing that was by far the main factor in them only picking up a draw.

Following the final whistle, there was further controversy flagged up, with the Croydon Metropolitan Police releasing this brief statement:

“On Saturday 23 October police received a report of an offensive banner displayed by Crystal Palace fans.

“Officers are assessing the information and carrying out enquiries.

“Any allegations of racist abuse will be taken very seriously.”

The potentially offensive banner (see above), obviously a reaction to the takeover of Newcastle United.

The banner depicting a man dressed in traditional Arabic clothing alongside what appears to be Richard Masters, the Premier League’s Chief Executive. The man in traditional Arabic clothing portrayed holding a sword with blood on it.

A Crystal Palace fans group, Holmesdale Fanatics, have claimed credit for the banner:

“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.”

As well as the Police investigating whether indeed there will be any action taken against those responsible for the banner. The other issue of course is that the club (Crystal Palace) have given their at least implied blessing to the potentially offensive banner going on display. As they have made the decision to allow it into Selhurst Park and then permitted it to be shown throughout the match.

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