NEWCASTLE cult hero Yohan Cabaye was once denied entry into the USA over a dental dispute.
Back in 2011, Newcastle were set for a trip to the US.
But to then-manager Alan Pardew’s surprise, Cabaye was denied entry into the nation due to having an alleged unpaid dental bill.
Pardew said at the time: “It was a minor incident involving a bill. He claims he paid it and they claim he didn’t.”
The US had claimed Cabaye had an unpaid dental bill from work he had done in the country when at Lille.
Then 25-year-old Cabaye had signed for the Magpies that summer and was one of the key stars of the squad which would go on to finish fifth under Pardew in the 2011/12 season.
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However, the inability to integrate Cabaye with the rest of the group in pre-season left Pardew feeling very “frustrated”.
He added: “It’s one of those things but it became very frustrating.
“There was no talking them around and, unfortunately, the process was too long for us to rectify it.
“It would have been great to get him integrated with the group because he’s a class act.”
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He was also not the only player refused entry across the pond that summer, with Joey Barton and Nile Ranger both being denied due to having criminal records.
Cabaye would leave St James’ Park in January 2014 for Paris Saint-Germain, before returning to the Premier League with Crystal Palace in summer 2015.
In total he made 175 Prem appearances, scoring 26 goals and adding 18 assists.
Newcastle are heading to the States this summer as one of six teams competing in the Premier League’s first-ever American pre-season tournament.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
