Watch: Newcastle’s Ciaran Clark punches opponent during Saudi tour

Newcastle’s tour to Saudi Arabia was supposed to be for team-building and fitness before a tough relegation battle – but it ended in farce as centre-back Ciaran Clark was sent off after appearing to strike an opponent during a supposed friendly game.

Newcastle’s tour to Saudi Arabia during the Premier League’s winter break came as little surprise.

In October, the nation’s Public Investment Fund purchased an 80% share in the club, so it was inevitable the team would travel to the country at some point.

Still, the trip came in for criticism, owing to the Saudi regime’s human rights record.

Clive Efford, an MP who sits on the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport select committee, said last week: “With Newcastle effectively being state-owned by the Saudis, these issues will constantly bedevil football. That’s the mistake of allowing these owners into the Premier League.”

Manager Eddie Howe welcomed the tour, however, insisting before Newcastle’s departure that it was an opportunity for team-building rather than PR.

“It is a football decision [to go there],” said Howe. “We are doing it for the benefit of the players, the group and our fight to stay in the division. The facilities and everything around the trip will be first class. We will train hard and work hard, that’s my only focus.

“There will be no distraction from my side, it is about the training and making sure the players are focused on the next game, we are just doing it in a different environment while trying to bring the group closer together.”

But during the end-of-tour match against Al-Ittihad, defender Ciaran Clark was sent off after appearing to hit an opponent, which we imagine will not have gone down well with Howe or Newcastle’s hosts.

Irish international Clark