Spanish football fans detained in Singapore over club owner criticism

Two Spanish football fans have been detained in Singapore after they held up a sign criticising the owner of Spanish football club Valencia in front of his apartment complex.

The pair, who are newlyweds according to local media, posted a photograph holding a sign standing outside the home of Peter Lim — a billionaire who has owned the club since 2014.

The sign allegedly said “Lim Go Home,” a slogan often used by Valencia supporters during the team’s matches in Spain.

One of the pair, which local media have named as Dani Cuesta, had previously posted photos of himself holding the sign at various tourist destinations in Singapore.

Cuesta’s social media accounts show he was critical of Lim before arriving in Singapore — uploading videos of himself placing yellow stickers reading “Lim out” in various spots across Valencia.

Valencia club said it was in contact with the Spanish embassy in Singapore on Tuesday in order to monitor the situation.

The embassy assured the club that it was in contact with the fans, who are being advised to resolve the situation “as quickly as possible,” according to a statement from the club.

Lim is widely unpopular with Valencia fans, who blame him for the club’s decline in success over the course of his ten-year ownership.

Singapore has some of the world’s strictest laws on public demonstrations. Before holding a cause-related event, groups or individuals must obtain a valid license from authorities.