Newcastle pub tells football fans not to wear Arab-style clothing to celebrate their team’s Saudi takeover in case fancy dress is ‘considered as cultural appropriation’
- Toon fans were seen wearing Arab-style head dresses to celebrate the takeover
- The Bridge Tavern said they would be devastated if ‘anyone felt uncomfortable’
- Newcastle United were bought for £305million by a Saudi-backed consortium
- Kick It Out and the FA expressed concern about the celebratory antics
A city centre pub is asking Newcastle fans not to dress in Arab-style clothing as they celebrate the club’s takeover.
The Bridge Tavern on Akenside Hill in Newcastle is urging supporters to refrain from visiting the venue in attire ‘that might be considered as cultural appropriation.’
It comes after fans have been seen wearing traditional robes and headdresses in a misguided show of support for the club’s £305m takeover by a Saudi-backed consortium.
In a statement issued on its Instagram page, The Bridge Tavern said: ‘Whilst we understand that Newcastle fans are excited about the recent club takeover, we also ask that customers refrain from attending our bar in any attire that might be considered as cultural appropriation.
The Bridge Tavern on Akenside Hill told punters that they should refrain from visiting the venue in attire ‘that might be considered as cultural appropriation’
‘We welcome anyone in our lovely little boozer and would be devastated if anyone felt uncomfortable or disrespected.’
The post has attracted hundreds of likes from customers who have shown support for the venue’s stance online.
Newcastle United issued the same message to fans earlier this week, saying that they do not want supporters wearing such attire if they would not ordinarily, to avoid the risk of offending others.
A club spokesman said: ‘Newcastle United is kindly asking supporters to refrain from wearing traditional Arabic clothing or Middle East-inspired head coverings at matches if they would not ordinarily wear such attire.
Fans of Newcastle United dress up prior to the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday
Fans of Newcastle United dressed in fancy dress celebrate the takeover outside St James’s Park on Sunday
Fans of Newcastle United dress up prior to the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday
‘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.
‘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 FA and Kick It Out said they were alarmed by the spectacle, with the equality and inclusion group contacting the club to express their concerns.
Anti-racism group Kick It Out want the club to educate fans; pictured is Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, head of PIF – Newcastle’s new ownership group
A ‘Justice for Jamal Khashoggi’ banner was seen outside Newcastle’s first game under new ownership against Spurs on Sunday
Newcastle supporters were slammed by Scottish National Party MP John Nicolson as ‘numpties’ for ‘dancing around in cod Arabic headdresses’ outside St James’ Park after their football club’s controversial Saudi-backed takeover.
Mr Nicolson, Scottish National Party MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, told a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee hearing in London that the fans ‘just did not care what Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuse was’.
He said his thoughts were with Hatice Cengiz, the widow of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was allegedly ordered to be killed by Mohammed bin Salman, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The PIF provided around 80 per cent of the £305million used to buy Newcastle United.
Newcastle United lost 3-2 to Tottenham in the first game of the new regime on Sunday as their new owners watched on.
Source: Read Full Article
