Argument no big deal
Yedlin is game for laugh at Neymar BUST-UP ON TRAINING
NEWCASTLE United defender DeAndre Yedlin enjoyed a light-hearted exchange with a referee after Neymar appeared to go to ground easily during an international on Friday.
Magpies right-back Yedlin was the USA’s most experienced player as his nation were defeated 2-0 by Brazil at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
It was their first outing since the World Cup, for which the Americans failed to qualify.
However, the 25-yearold made reference to the tournament during a conversation with Mexican referee Fernando Guerrero.
In the 22nd minute, Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar – who later scored – appeared to go down easily under a challenge from Yedlin, who was then warned by Guerrero that he had committed two fouls already.
Yedlin, while smiling, then responded to the official by appearing to state: “Did you watch the World Cup?”
Clearly, Yedlin was referencing certain incidents in Russia when Neymar’s somewhat theatrical response to being tackled – in fact, the Brazilian was even accused of diving during the World Cup – and was implying he had not fouled his opponent.
Whether Guerrero listened to Yedlin’s response is unclear, but the Newcastle full-back remained on the field for the rest of the game and was not booked.
The USA host Mexico at the Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday night, before Yedlin returns to Tyneside in order to prepare for the Magpies’ clash with Arsenal on Saturday. Newcastle Reporter NEWCASTLE United captain Jamaal Lascelles insists a recent training-ground altercation has been portrayed as a “bigger deal” than it actually was.
The 24-year-old was involved in an exchange with team-mate Matt Ritchie and manager Rafa Benitez during a session at the Magpies’ Benton Training Centre last month.
However, the United skipper is adamant the argument was quickly resolved, and there were no lasting effects from the incident.
Rather, Lascelles – who missed Newcastle’s defeat to Chelsea with a minor injury, amid speculation he had been dropped due to the bust-up – claims it is an almost unavoidable consequence when a passionate group of players take part in an intense session.
Last season, Lascelles was involved in another fiery disagreement with midfielder Mo Diame, but the Newcastle captain stresses those disputes remain on the training field – and that the players are friends off the pitch, regardless of what happens during the sessions.
“What have I made about what’s been written about us? Well, as everybody knows, some people when they get a sniff of anything, they’ll make it into a much bigger deal than it is,” Lascelles told nufcTV when he was asked about the incident.
“This is sport; every sportsman would say the same: a group of men, on the training pitch, with adrenaline flying... there’s going to be, I wouldn’t say altercations, but there’s going to be arguments.
“We’ve got such a passionate team where we all want to do so well and players will speak their voice, and we’ll get stuck in.
“Arguments will happen, but in terms of off-the-pitch stuff, it’ll never change anything personally.
“It’ll always stay on the pitch and you shake hands after. For me, I think that’s a good thing.
“Personally, I think that’s a winning mentality, because if you don’t care and you don’t say anything, or you don’t want to put your foot in, then you’re going to get relegated.
“You can’t play with players like that. Things will happen on the training pitch where players will fall out.
“But in terms of it affecting our team spirit, and me not liking somebody or someone else not liking somebody else, it won’t change that.
“We’re a bunch of men, and it’s just sport. How it’s got to a bigger deal than it has, I’m not sure, because half of the stuff that has been written is completely not true, at all.
“I didn’t come out and say anything on Twitter or anything like that, but it was quite annoying and frustrating to see and hear it.”
United showed spirit, togetherness and a competitive edge out on the pitch last season, which helped contribute to their surprise 10th-placed finish.
And Lascelles believes it is only possible to reach such heights by first producing them on the training pitch.
Asked if the arguments “come from the right place” and are a side effect of competitive training sessions, Lascelles said: “Of course. It’ll never be anything personal like swearing, or trying to take the mick out of somebody; it’ll just be informing somebody how to do better, or telling somebody to work harder, or because we want the ball so much it might be to do with tackling, like a bad challenge or something.
“But it’s sport. If you can’t deal with that on a training pitch, then you’re in the wrong sport I’m afraid.
“We’ve got a good group of lads who