Cisse left behind by Newcastle
eurosport
Cisse left behind by Newcastle as Wonga row escalates
Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has reportedly been left out of his team's training camp as their row over Wongas sponsorship of the clubs kit continues to escalate.
The £9 million forward was not on Newcastles flight to Portugal, with boss Alan Pardew having previously said he was taking the full squad to the pre-season camp, which involves friendly matches against Rio Ave and Pacos Ferreira.
Cisse, who is a devout Muslim, does not want to wear kit featuring the logo of pay-day money lender Wonga as their business contravenes his strict religious beliefs.
The Senegal forward is understood to have offered to wear a charity logo as a compromise, but Newcastles owners are standing firm after striking the deal with Wonga.
There is precedent for this, with former Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute initially refusing to wear a betting company logo but later agreeing a compromise after he was excused from promotional duties for the brand.
But it seems Newcastle - who made Cisse train alone at the weekend - are in no mood to strike a deal, and with several continental sides interested in the ex-Freiburg hit-man, Cisses days on Tyneside could be numbered.
Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has reportedly been left out of his team's training camp as their row over Wongas sponsorship of the clubs kit continues to escalate.
The £9 million forward was not on Newcastles flight to Portugal, with boss Alan Pardew having previously said he was taking the full squad to the pre-season camp, which involves friendly matches against Rio Ave and Pacos Ferreira.
Cisse, who is a devout Muslim, does not want to wear kit featuring the logo of pay-day money lender Wonga as their business contravenes his strict religious beliefs.
The Senegal forward is understood to have offered to wear a charity logo as a compromise, but Newcastles owners are standing firm after striking the deal with Wonga.
There is precedent for this, with former Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute initially refusing to wear a betting company logo but later agreeing a compromise after he was excused from promotional duties for the brand.
But it seems Newcastle - who made Cisse train alone at the weekend - are in no mood to strike a deal, and with several continental sides interested in the ex-Freiburg hit-man, Cisses days on Tyneside could be numbered.
