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Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Newcastle United's new strong man
Photo: SCOTT HEPPELL / REUTERS
Ten days ago, the controversial takeover of the English first division soccer club Newcastle United by a Saudi Arabian consortium was approved. This had assured the league that the club was not under state control of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian state fund, under the influence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is accused of serious human rights violations, is said to hold a clear majority in the consortium. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International had criticized the deal.
It was eagerly awaited how the fans would react at the first home game after the takeover.
Although there were occasional protests, the introduction of the representative of the new owners, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, received a standing ovation from a majority of the spectators.
Numerous fans had also disguised themselves as sheikhs, before the game chants could be heard declaring war on Master Manchester Ciy: "We are richer than you."
Al-Rumayyan never saw a victory.
The early lead by Callum Wilson (2nd minute) was answered by the Spurs with goals from Tanguy Ndombele (17th minute), Harry Kane (22nd) and Son Heung-min (45.4).
Shortly before the end, Tottenham's Eric Dier hit his own goal (89th).
The Spurs won 3-2.
Dier was also instrumental in another situation: Shortly before the break, there was a medical emergency in the stands, Dier and his teammate Sergio Reguilón alerted referee Andre Marriner to the scene and made sure that the team doctor from Newcastle was up and running United promptly opened up with a defibrillator in the direction of the opposite grandstand.
After a 20-minute break, the encounter continued.
The hosts said that the person's situation had stabilized and that they had been taken to a nearby hospital.
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