Real Oviedo fans show their support for the club in the Estadio Carlos Tartiere with a banner reading "For the future of Real Oviedo". The Spanish club had needed to raise €1.9 million ($2.4 million) by November 17 2012 or go bust.
Real Oviedo fans show their support for the club in the Estadio Carlos Tartiere with a banner reading "For the future of Real Oviedo". The Spanish club had needed to raise €1.9 million ($2.4 million) by November 17 2012 or go bust.
Javier Merino
Earlier that month, Oviedo's board announced a share issue to attract investment and save the club. Remarkably the scheme took off as fans from all over the world bought the €11 ($13) shares after Oviedo's precarious position was highlighted on Twitter.
Earlier that month, Oviedo's board announced a share issue to attract investment and save the club. Remarkably the scheme took off as fans from all over the world bought the €11 ($13) shares after Oviedo's precarious position was highlighted on Twitter.
Javier Merino
Oviedo fans display a banner: "Happen what may, Oviedistas until death."
Oviedo fans display a banner: "Happen what may, Oviedistas until death."
Javier Merino
Spanish football expert and long-time Oviedo supporter Sid Lowe was a key figure in publicizing the club's plight and is now feted in the city. "It's bizarre," he told CNN. "In fact on some levels it's slightly uncomfortable in a way. But people are extremely nice to me."
Spanish football expert and long-time Oviedo supporter Sid Lowe was a key figure in publicizing the club's plight and is now feted in the city. "It's bizarre," he told CNN. "In fact on some levels it's slightly uncomfortable in a way. But people are extremely nice to me."
Javier Merino
Mexican businessman Carlos Slim was so impressed by the interest of fans in Oviedo from across the world -- he described their support as "extraordinary" -- that the tycoon pumped in a further $2.5 million to become Oviedo's majority shareholder.
Mexican businessman Carlos Slim was so impressed by the interest of fans in Oviedo from across the world -- he described their support as "extraordinary" -- that the tycoon pumped in a further $2.5 million to become Oviedo's majority shareholder.
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In September 2012, Slim bought 30% stakes in two Mexican football teams, Pachuca and Leon, and he plans to use Oviedo "to create synergies and exchanges between Spanish, Mexican and Latin American football.'' According to Forbes magazine, Slim has a net worth of $69 billion, having made his fortune in the telecommunications industry.
In September 2012, Slim bought 30% stakes in two Mexican football teams, Pachuca and Leon, and he plans to use Oviedo "to create synergies and exchanges between Spanish, Mexican and Latin American football.'' According to Forbes magazine, Slim has a net worth of $69 billion, having made his fortune in the telecommunications industry.
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World Cup winner Juan Mata is one of the stars produced by Oviedo's youth system.
World Cup winner Juan Mata is one of the stars produced by Oviedo's youth system.
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Arsenal's midfield maestro Santi Cazorla is another big-name player from Oviedo's academy who helped save his former club.
Arsenal's midfield maestro Santi Cazorla is another big-name player from Oviedo's academy who helped save his former club.
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Michu was a Real Oviedo player for four years and campaigned on Twitter to save the club.
Michu was a Real Oviedo player for four years and campaigned on Twitter to save the club.
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