Newcastle United, the English Premier League football club, asked its fans - in a statement today, Wednesday - to refrain from wearing traditional Arab clothes or head coverings inspired by the Middle East at matches.
A Saudi-led consortium acquired Newcastle earlier this month.
A number of fans appeared in headscarves during Newcastle's home game against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, the first match since the acquisition.
#NUFC 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.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 20, 2021
"None of the new owners showed any disrespect in any way to the uniforms of the fans who chose to celebrate in this way, it was a positive and acceptable gesture in terms of intent," the club said in the statement.
"However, there is still the possibility that dressing in this manner is culturally inappropriate and risks causing offense to others."
Dozens of Newcastle fans wear the traditional Arab headscarf (Getty Images)
"All visitors to the club are encouraged to wear whatever is customary in their culture or religion, and continue to reflect the broad and rich multicultural communities and groups from which the club proudly draws its support."
Newcastle fans outside the club's stadium before the Tottenham match (Reuters)
Equality group Kick It Out is reported to be offering educational workshops in Newcastle for fans to explain how Arab impersonation can be viewed as racist and culturally inappropriate.
Earlier today, Wednesday, Newcastle announced the departure of coach Steve Bruce by mutual consent, with the appointment of his assistant, Graeme Jones, as the team's temporary coach.