Newcastle's new Saudi Arabian-led ownership has requested that fans no longer wear traditional Arabic outfits, unless they normally do so.
Sunday's crowd at St. James's Park was peppered with individuals wearing robes and headdresses in supposed celebration at the club's new custodians.
In a statement released on the same day they sacked manager Steve Bruce, Newcastle's owners insisted no-one among the ownership group took offence to the outfits, but asked for sensitivity to others moving forward.
Newcastle statement:
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.
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.
To find out more about Newcastle United's own dedicated inclusion brand, please visit www.nufc.co.uk/unitedasone.
