SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore police said they issued a “stern warning” to a Spanish couple for protesting against billionaire Peter Lim’s ownership of Spanish soccer club Valencia, and that the couple, reported to have been on honeymoon, have since departed the city-state.
Police had last week impounded the passports of a 34-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman for investigation after the couple was found to have taken part in a “public assembly”.
Public assemblies include staging protests or publicising a cause and require an official permit.
The authorities said they had “administered a stern warning” to the couple after considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and consulting the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
“The two Spanish nationals have since departed Singapore,” the police said in an emailed statement late on Tuesday, without specifying when the couple departed the country.
The police did not name the couple but several media outlets identified them as newlyweds Dani Cuesta and Mireia Sáez on their honeymoon in the city-state.
The Spanish embassy in Singapore did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cuesta had posted on his X account photos of him holding a black and yellow banner that reads “Lim go home” at various locations in Singapore, including outside the billionaire’s home. He also pasted a sticker saying “Lim out” on the gate of the businessman’s compound. The posts were no longer on his account on Wednesday.
Cuesta posted on his X account on Monday: “Thank you to each one of you for the support shown during those difficult days. Although I recognise the one who made a mistake was only me, you are (a) huge (support). Thank you.”
The “Lim go home” banner is a common sight during regular fan protests in Spain after the 71-year-old billionaire became the new majority owner of then debt-ridden Valencia in 2014 via his Hong Kong-based investment company Meriton Holdings.
His ownership of the club has become deeply unpopular among fans who are unhappy with the club’s selling of star players and a revolving door of managers. Club chairwoman Chan Lay Hoon has said Lim is committed to the side and promised changes.
Valencia is struggling in Spain’s La Liga and are third from bottom of the table with just six points from their opening nine matches.
(Reporting by Xinghui Kok in Singapore and Danial Azhar in Kuala Lumpur; additional reporting by Inti Landauro and Emma Pinedo; Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
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