Free speech campaigners slam police investigation into ‘offensive’ football banner

A free speech campaign group has criticised an investigation into a banner displayed at a football game between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

The banner appeared to criticise the Premier League’s owners and directors in light of the recent takeover of Newcastle United, largely funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a firm linked to the Saudi government.

In the wake of the match police said the banner had been reported as “offensive”.

In a statement The Metropolitan Police have now confirmed that there will not be any action taken over the banner.

The Free Speech Union campaign group said in reaction to the news this morning: “The police investigated this banner after reports that it was “offensive”. They’ve now dropped the investigation, but they should never have been involved in the first place. A complete waste of police time. “