Seven first team stars are devout followers of Islam and had been using various rooms at the ground to worship before games
Devout: Cheick TioteGetty
Football stars looking for divine intervention in a bid for victory now have a prayer room at their stadium.
Newcastle United provided the area for Muslim players to worship before matches.
An insider said: “We believe we now have more Muslims in our first team squad than any other team in the Premier League, so it is important to look after them.
"They have been using various rooms at the ground to worship before games. Now they will get a proper prayer room.”
Seven first team stars – Papiss Cisse, Cheick Tiote, Hatem Ben Arfa, Massadio Haidara, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Moussa Sissoko and Mehdi Abeid – are devout followers of Islam.
And former striker Demba Ba, now with Chelsea, would often lead team-mates in prayer before games.
The insider added: “Prayer has become an important part of the build up to big games.
“Demba was the most devout of all the players. He would regularly pray before big games, and be joined by team-mates. It helped build a bond between them.”
The prayer room can be used by players of all faiths, the club said.
No doubt fans will be praying for a win tonight when Toon take on Benfica in the Europa League quarter final, their biggest game so far.
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