Real Oviedo take 'impossible step' on road to salvation

Photos: From liquidation to promotion
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.
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Photos: From liquidation to promotion
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.
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Photos: From liquidation to promotion
Oviedo fans display a banner: "Happen what may, Oviedistas until death."
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Photos: From liquidation to promotion
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."
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Photos: From liquidation to promotion
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.