Football: OUTCAST

LAURENT Robert has been snubbed by his Newcastle team-mates after being branded a disgrace by Alan Shearer.

The French winger, who signed from Paris St Germain for pounds 10m last summer, was confronted by his angry team-mates, led by skipper Shearer, in the Anfield dressing room following last week's crushing 3-0 defeat.

Shearer and several other players accused him of failing to pull his weight in the vital games against Liverpool and Arsenal.

Only the intervention of manager Bobby Robson, who had to physically protect Robert, prevented matters getting out of hand.

Robson tried to reason with Shearer but Robert was blanked by him and other stars on the team bus as it returned to Tyneside from Liverpool.

The snub continued on Friday during training when Robert, who has been told to change his attitude by Robson, was voted the worst player at the club by his team-mates.

A Newcastle official said: "Alan Shearer tore into Robert in the dressing room. He told him his performance was disgraceful and one or two other players shared the captain's sentiments.

"Robert is now a bit of an outcast at Newcastle and it is hard to see him hanging around for very long."

Robson kept faith with the Frenchman when Newcastle took on Arsenal in the FA Cup yesterday but his future at the club is now in doubt.

Robert has told close friends he will consider his future at the club unless the situation can be resolved.

During United's 3-0 defeat Shearer was seen to remonstrate with the laid-back winger when he failed to track back as Liverpool attacked down his flank.

Robert's possible departure could throw a question mark over his big pal Distin's future. United have an option to buy Distin from PSG for pounds 3.5m, but Blackburn Rovers have been watching him.

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.