Singapore police mentioned on Thursday they had been investigating a Spanish couple for protesting billionaire Peter Lim’s possession of LaLiga aspect Valencia and had impounded their passports.
Lim, 71, turned the brand new majority proprietor of then debt-ridden Valencia in 2014 through his Hong Kong-based funding firm Meriton Holdings. His possession of the membership has change into deeply unpopular among the many fan base who’re sad with the promoting of star gamers and a revolving door of managers.
Valencia are struggling in La Liga and are within the relegation zone, third from backside of the desk with simply six factors from their opening 9 matches.
Police mentioned a 34-year-old man and a 30-year-old girl had been serving to within the investigation after the couple was discovered to have taken half in a “public meeting.”
In Singapore, public assemblies embody staging protests or publicising a trigger and require an official allow.
The police didn’t identify the couple however a number of media shops including the BBC recognized them as newlyweds Dani Cuesta and Mireia Sáez on their honeymoon within the metropolis state.
Final week Cuesta posted on his X account pictures of him holding a black and yellow banner that reads “Lim go house” at varied places in Singapore, together with outdoors the billionaire’s house. He additionally pasted a sticker saying “Lim out” on the gate of the businessman’s compound.
The “Lim go house” banner is a typical sight throughout common fan protests in Spain. Nonetheless, protests are frowned upon in tightly-regulated Singapore and people who participate with out a allow will be fined as much as $3,000.
The couple’s household issued a press release asking the media to point out discretion, saying the precedence was to get them swiftly launched and returned house.
Spain mentioned its embassy in Singapore was offering help to these affected. Valencia mentioned it hoped the problem might be resolved rapidly.