25 January 2023 , 11:29
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Newcastle United defender Ciaran Clark has not featured for the Magpies since he tarnished the club's mid-season tour of Saudi Arabia last January.
The former Aston Villa centre-back appeared to punch a Saudi player as one of the friendly games was coming to an end, which led to Clark swiftly being sent off in the behind-closed-doors contest. It was a deeply unpleasant and embarrassing moment for Newcastle, with dignitaries including the UK Saudi ambassador Neil Crompton all in attendance.
Before the game, boss Eddie Howe had waxed lyrical about how well the tour had gone and insisted the trip to Jeddah had increased squad harmony as well as producing new friendships with the club's Saudi owners and locals.
However, that claim was undermined by Clark's moment of madness, with the Ireland international marring the trip by striking his Al-Ittihad opponent at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium.
Though the Geordies actually won the game 2-1, Clark was clearly harbouring frustration about something by the time he grappled with Abdo Hamdallah and hit the Moroccan, who was also sent off for his part in the scuffle.
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At the time, Newcastle assessed the situation by claiming Clark was "somewhat harshly shown straight red", but the defender could have no complaints with his dismissal.
Clark's punch led to a melee between the two sidesHAVE YOUR SAY! Is there still a future for Clark at Newcastle? Comment below
The trip was meant to allow Howe some time with his players away from the glare of the British media, but Clark's conduct only ended up producing more negative headlines about the Magpies. Come full-time, Clark and Al-Ittihad's Hamdallah were all smiles as they proudly posed for a picture with each other while holding the other's shirt.
It seems clear that those at the top of the Newcastle hierarchy didn't deem the incident something to smile about and quickly exiled Clark from the first-team fold. He is currently on loan with Championship outfit Sheffield United a year on from his heated exchange in the Middle East.
Ciaran Clark and Al-Ittihad's Abderazak HamdallahClark's future at St. James' Park seems uncertain given the way he brought shame upon the club in front of their owners, but it has since emerged staying at Bramall Lane may not be an option either.
Sheffield United have been slapped with a transfer embargo that means the Blades could be banned from keeping the defender on a permanent basis after breaching FA rule 52.2.3.
Clark may not be entirely out of the fold at Newcastle, with the defender recently revealing he is in regular contact with Howe. With that being said, the Magpies now boast the best defensive record in the Premier League, meaning it would be quite the task for the 33-year-old to play his way back into Howe's plans.