Newcastle United have asked fans to stop wearing traditional Arabic clothing or Middle East-inspired head coverings if they would not normally do so.

The club issued a statement asking supporters to no longer wear the dress to matches after a number of fans wore robes and headdresses to Sunday's game with Tottenham.

Newcastle added that none of the new ownership group were offended by the actions, which they said were "acknowledged as positive and welcoming".

However, they added there was a risk of "causing offence to others".

 

A club statement 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.

"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.

The Northern Echo: Newcastle have asked fans celebrating the club's Saudi-backed takeover not to wear Arab-style clothing for matches in case it causes offence to others. Picture: PANewcastle have asked fans celebrating the club's Saudi-backed takeover not to wear Arab-style clothing for matches in case it causes offence to others. Picture: PA

"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."