LAURENT ROBERT continued his one-man crusade to prove that footballers have more money than sense by earning a second fine of two weeks’ wages from Newcastle United within 24 hours yesterday.
After criticising Graeme Souness, the Newcastle manager, in a national newspaper on Tuesday, he claimed that Jermaine Jenas, the England midfield player, was to leave the club and was fined again.
“He was warned not to do it and he must suffer the consequences,” Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle chairman, said. “We have also reported him to the Football Association.” Ken Bates, the chairman of Leeds United, weighed in by describing Robert as a “total prat”.
Robert, 30, is to join Portsmouth on a season’s loan tomorrow, but could not resist a parting shot at the club that still pays — or rather, keeps — his wages. “I have seen Jermaine Jenas growing up at Newcastle and he is a brilliant player who could become the new Patrick Vieira,” he said. “But I know just how badly he took to being put on the bench last season. Now he is at a turning point in his career and I think he will leave.”
Souness has denied suggestions that Jenas is set to go. Souness is also continuing efforts to sign Emre from Inter Milan.