Newcastle United’s mid-season Saudi Arabia trip saw them take on Al-Ittihad in a friendly, with goals from Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser seeing them clinch the game 2-1. The game will be overshadowed by a moment of madness however.
Ciaran Clark punched one of the opposition players, leading to him receiving his marching orders, not acceptable behaviour on any football pitch, let alone during a friendly game of such magnitude for the club.
Should Clark be sold in January?
Yes
No
Watching on from the stands were Saudi dignitaries and Neil Crompton, so you’d imagine the incident will not go down well with the hierarchy at the club.
What the Newcastle fans said about Ciaran Clark
“Get him with the u23s.” @ben_yearsley
“My nan is literally a better centre back than Ciaran Clark.” @_jf30
“I hope to God this liability is shipped out in the summer. He’s not good enough and is far too reckless.” @davidfalc87
“Just tear up the contract and wave bye bye. Should have done it after Norwich #NUFC.” @_JamesAnders0n
“In a friendly in front of everyone associated with this club and you lose your head?! Never again, the last straw, sell him now nufc.” @PyleAndrew
It’s clear to see just how frustrated the Toon Army are with Clark. There’s no reason you should be punching anyone during a football game, especially in a friendly match when you’re on a PR mission in Saudi Arabia after being taken over by PIF.
Whether or not that is his last action in a Newcastle shirt, we don’t know. What we do know is, Newcastle are looking desperately to strengthen at the back, whether that be Dan Burn or Marcao or even another target.
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