Chinese money impresses Spanish league

Eibar's Chinese supporters cheer for their team with a huge banner prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Eibar and Real Madrid at Ipurua stadium in Eibar, northern Spain, November 22, 2014. [Photo/IC]

A banner highlighting support from Chinese fans stole the show at a Spanish La Liga match on Saturday when newly-promoted Einar hosted league leader Real Madrid.

Real showed its ruthless side on a 4-0 rout to the Basque side. But the defeat didn't stop enthusiastic Chinese fans from grabbing the public attention which usually would have been reserved for star-studded Real Madrid.

Some fans were seen holding up a banner, written both in Chinese and Spanish, reading: "Thank you for working hard and Chinese investors are here to cheer you up."

Winning the second division title in Spain doesn't mean an automatic promotion. A club also has to show that it has at least 1.72 million euros in the bank before it's allowed to play at the elite level. Under such rules, Eibar, winner of the second division last season, asked fans to buy shares in the club after finding itself hard to lacking the funds to qualify for the first division.

Both local and international fans, including those in China, gave a helping hand by becoming an investor in the club.

The banner was the way Chinese investors left their mark.