Newcastle have announced that they will be heading to Saudi Arabia during the Premier League break for the World Cup.
The Magpies, now sixth in the league, will be going from the 4th-10th of December and will also play Al-Hilal in a friendly.
The move shows a clear lack of intent to ease the criticism that has come their way after the club's takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Manager Eddie Howe, however, has remarkably stated that the trip is not related to the nationality of their owners, and that it is purely a footballing decision.
"We've made a football decision," commented Howe. "We've looked at the World Cup break, what's the best thing for the team.
The best thing for the team, I believe, is to take the team away like you would in pre-season, away from distractions, a chance to really train the group, enhance the team spirit with hopefully some good weather, so that's what we've done.
"We've made it from a purely footballing backdrop."
Eddie Howe Takes Newcastle To Saudi Arabia
Eddie Howe says Newcastle are going back to Saudi Arabia in December for the weather and good facilities. Makes sense, can't think of any other reason they might head off there.pic.twitter.com/gkhgmlvKmp
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) October 21, 2022
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"When you look back to last year, our decision to go there and the benefit it had for the team and the results on our return were really good, so we got a few positive connotations from that," continued the Newcastle boss.
"Going back to our trip last year, the weather was very good, the facilities were first class, we were able to spend some quality time together to bond the group and really focus our energies on our battle to stay in the division.
"The team spirit off the back of that trip was very, very good. Obviously we have that positive experience to fall back on and it's helped with our decision this time."
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