Saudi-owned Newcastle backtracks on clothing request to fans
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/10/2021 (1794 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle has backtracked on its request for fans to stop wearing imitation Arab clothing to mark the purchase of the Premier League team by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
The club now says supporters who want to wear “appropriate culturally inspired clothing should feel free to do so as they see fit.”
“We are inclusive to all,” Newcastle said in a statement before the team’s away match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Newcastle issued what it described as “guidance” about clothing at matches, saying some attire seen at the 3-2 home loss to Tottenham on Sunday — the first under the new Saudi ownership — could be viewed as “culturally inappropriate.”
The club said Wednesday that supporters should “refrain from wearing traditional Arabic clothing or Middle East-inspired head coverings at matches if they would not ordinarily wear such attire.” It added that the ownership group had not been offended by the wearing of clothing such as imitation head coverings and robes, but that it “risks causing offense to others.”
Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out welcomed the move by Newcastle and asked for its fans to show “respect and cultural sensitivity when choosing what to wear on matchdays.”
Three days later, Newcastle said those supporters who have worn “culturally traditional clothing” have been part of an overwhelming welcome for the Saudi owners.
Newcastle is now 80% owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund with investors PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media owning the remaining stake.
Embracing Saudi riches has led to scrutiny on, and criticism for, Newcastle and the Premier League because of the kingdom’s human rights violations.
Palace fans held up a banner at Saturday’s match criticizing the PIF and Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Related Articles
MATCHDAY: Chelsea, Arsenal play in League Cup Column: Solskjaer, Koeman strain bonds of fans' affection
Advertisement Advertise With Us
Advertisement Advertise With Us