Latest news with #Geremi
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'I told Declan Rice to join direct rival of Arsenal – he'd have a trophy by now'
Declan Rice has been an individual success since joining Arsenal in 2023, but he may well have had another major trophy by now had he heeded the advice of one former Premier League star The words of ex- Newcastle United midfielder Geremi from two years ago could feel like they are haunting Declan Rice. That's after the two-time Champions League -winner said he "should not hesitate" to join the Magpies, who have ended their trophy drought since Rice snubbed their advances. Rice, 26, won the Europa Conference League in his last act with West Ham. With the England star on his way out that summer, Newcastle were among those to have raised an interest in signing him. However, the midfielder ended up ignoring their advances in favour of a £105million transfer to the Emirates. The former Hammers captain wanted to join a club who would be competing consistently for silverware. But as fate would have it, Newcastle have since ended their 70-year search for a domestic trophy after winning the Carabao Cup in March. They got the better of Liverpool at Wembley to bring home a piece of silverware that was certainly a long time coming. Arsenal, on the other hand, are still waiting to lift their first trophy since Rice joined their ranks, having not won a major trophy since the FA Cup back in 2020. It briefly looked as though a haul of titles was on the cards this season, only for Mikel Arteta 's aspirations to come crashing down on multiple fronts over just a couple of weeks as they crashed out of the Champions League and saw their Premier League title hopes fade. The Gunners still finished above Eddie Howe's men in the Premier League after claiming a third straight runner-up finish. But Newcastle fans would gladly take fifth and a spot in next season's Champions League if it means getting their hands on a trophy too. Rice may wonder on some level what might have been, and the words of former Chelsea and Real Madrid star Geremi ring true. The Magpies came in for criticism due to their controversial takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), but the club has quickly made strides to become a significant force in England's pecking order. "Newcastle is a great team that is going in the right direction," Geremi told Lord Ping in April 2023. "The fans are absolutely wonderful – they (Rice and Moussa Diaby, who went on to join Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen that summer) should not hesitate to join the club. "If any Newcastle targets need any advice, they shouldn't hesitate to call me!" While they may have missed out on Rice, Newcastle signed Italy international Sandro Tonali from AC Milan that same summer. And the 25-year-old has performed admirably in a very similar box-to-box capacity under Howe. The manager has also earned plaudits for reinventing former centre-forward Joelinton into a powerful midfield presence. Meanwhile, Bruno Guimaraes has written his name into Newcastle folklore for his performances as skipper. All in all, the northeast outfit may have very few regrets over missing out of Rice given the midfield corps they've built in his absence. Rice seems content in north London, too, though the absence of any silverware to show for his troubles will hurt. Rice was named Arsenal's Player of the Season for 2024/25 after impressing in his sophomore campaign. He was also named to both the Champions League Team of the Season and Premier League Fan Team of the Season. Yet those accolades will count for little should he fail to add any more team titles to his cabinet while with Arsenal. And the player can't say he wasn't told his needs would be served well in the northeast.
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Isak 'taking things into own hands' claim shows what Liverpool and Arsenal need
Alexander Isak has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Arsenal in the summer transfer window, but he has been told he doesn't need to leave Newcastle United to realise his ambitions Liverpool and Arsenal need Alexander Isak to take matters into his own hands if they are to have any chance of signing the Newcastle striker this summer. That's according to former Magpies midfielder Geremi, who also insists the Swede doesn't need to leave St James' Park to take his career to the next level. The Gunners, who are in the market for a top-class number nine this summer, are long-term admirers of Isak. Meanwhile, Liverpool have also emerged as potential suitors as they look for an upgrade on Darwin Nunez, who's available for sale. However, Newcastle are under no pressure to sell and would only consider letting him leave for a fee in excess of £150million, reports The Telegraph. There has been no suggestion that Isak – whose Magpies contract has another three years left to run – is really angling for a move. That stance from the player would need to change, says Geremi, for either of last season's top two to land the prolific 25-year-old. 'First of all, they [Newcastle] need to keep their best players at all costs,' said Geremi, speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Club World Cup odds. 'I'm not sure Newcastle would sell Isak for any fee, but it would become an issue if the player took the decision into his own hands.' Having won the Carabao Cup earlier this year and qualified for the Champions League, the former Chelsea midfielder and Cameroon international insists the Magpies are now on the 'same level' as Liverpool and Arsenal. Geremi added: 'He had a great season and is at one of the biggest teams in the world when it comes to financial backing. 'The environment is all there and I don't think he would gain anything by moving to Liverpool or Arsenal. I think Newcastle are at the same level. Newcastle are now contenders to win the Premier League and the Champions League. 'When they got new owners, I said it would take them three or four years and a trophy to put them in that position and now they are there. They are ready to compete because they have been built under Eddie Howe, they have the right finances and they are an attractive proposition for new players. 'New signings will have no doubt about joining the club this summer and I wouldn't be surprised if they have an incredible season.' For Arsenal, a deal for either Benjamin Seskso or Viktor Gyokeres looks much more likely at this stage. A new number nine is seen as critical as Arsenal look to go from 'nearly men' to winners following three successive runner-up finishes in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Liverpool have already been busy this summer, signing Bayer Leverkusen pair Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong. The former has now completed his transfer, which could rise to £116m – meaning the Reds have already broken the British record this summer.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former Chelsea star is hit with FIVE-YEAR ban from football and fined after furious row with Samuel Eto'o
Former Chelsea star Geremi has been handed a five-year ban from football by Cameroon's FA and fined £13,000 following a dispute with federation president Samuel Eto'o. The 46-year-old, who earned 118 caps for Cameroon - the joint-second highest in the country's history - lifted the Premier League title with Chelsea in both 2005 and 2006. He also enjoyed spells at Real Madrid, Middlesbrough, and Newcastle before hanging up his boots in 2011. Since retiring, Geremi has often found himself at the centre of controversy. He previously held a role with the National Union of Footballers of Cameroon (Synafoc), but has now been hit with a lengthy ban after a fallout with Eto'o. The feud between the pair dates back to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, during Cameroon's clash with Gambia. Geremi was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with a member of Eto'o's staff, which quickly escalated and resulted in the two having to be separated by those nearby. Reports in Cameroon claim Geremi was 'forcibly removed' by nearby security on the orders of FeCafoot officials - and the governing body has now ruled that the former midfielder must serve a lengthy ban as a consequence of his actions. 'We declare Geremi Sorel Njitap, the president of Synafoc, guilty of breaking the behaviour rules of our code of ethics,' a statement read. We sentence him to a ban from all forms of football activity for five years, and to a fine of ten million West African francs [£13,000]. He has ten days to submit a written appeal.' Geremi's assistant, Daniel Blaise Ngos, has also been sanctioned over the incident, receiving a two-year ban and a £6,500 fine. Geremi is expected to launch an appeal against the ruling, with reports suggesting he could take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to overturn or reduce both the ban and £13,000 fine. He made headlines last year after splitting from his wife following DNA tests that revealed the two children he believed were his were actually fathered by her former partner.
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Chelsea star Geremi hit with five-year football ban after Samuel Eto'o row
Former Chelsea star Geremi reportedly irked Cameroon FA chief Samuel Eto'o after a dressing room row during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and he has now been handed a lengthy ban and fine Former Chelsea star Geremi has been banned from football for five years by Cameroon 's FA and fined £13,000 after a row with president Samuel Eto'o. The 46-year-old also turned out for clubs such as Real Madrid, Middlesbrough and Newcastle during his days as a footballer before retiring in 2011 - while picking up 118 caps for Cameroon, the joint-second highest in their history. He has since become the head of Cameroon's players' union Synafoc but in 2023 landed himself in hot water during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after reportedly having a dressing confrontation with an official of Fecafoot - the country's football association. Fecafoot chief Eto'o - who played for Chelsea, Barcelona and Inter Milan during his storied career - was reportedly irked by Geremi's behaviour, ordering his former Cameroon team-mate to be removed from the dressing room. Fecafoot announced Geremi's lengthy ban in a statement after breaking their "code of ethics" and gave him 10 days to appeal. "We declare Geremi Sorel Njitap, the president of Synafoc, guilty of breaking the behaviour rules of our code of ethics," the statement read. "We sentence him to a ban from all forms of football activity for five years, and to a fine of 10 million West African francs [£13,000]. He has 10 days to submit a written appeal." Geremi's associate Daniel Blaise Ngos was also banned in relation to the incident. He has been given a two-year ban and fined £6,500. According to Foot Boom, Geremi had tried to enter the Cameroon dressing room following their win over Gambia during the tournament, before officials "forcibly removed" him, leading to a "tense" row. It is believed Geremi will take up his right to appeal against the decision and may even take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Geremi enjoyed plenty of success in his career, winning La Liga and the Champions League twice with Real Madrid, making 76 appearances for Los Blancos He then joined Chelsea in 2003-04 and won two Premier League titles under Mourinho as he featured 109 times for the Blues, scoring nine times. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Irish Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former Chelsea star, 46, handed five-year ban from all football activity following dispute with Samuel Eto'o
FORMER Chelsea star Geremi has landed a five-year ban from football - after a dispute with fellow ex-Blue Samuel Eto'o. The Cameroon international won Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 while at Stamford Bridge. 3 Geremi has been given a five-year ban from football Credit: Getty 3 The former Chelsea midfielder won two Premier League titles with the Blues Credit: Getty 3 The 46-year-old has been in dispute with ex-Chelsea star Samuel Eto'o Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd Midfielder Geremi also played for The 46-year-old has headed the Cameroon players' union Synafoc in recent years. But the West African country's FA, Fecafoot, has now banned him from football until 2030, as well as fining him £13,000. Ex- READ MORE ON FOOTBALL Their dispute dates back to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, when Geremi is said to have had a dressing-room row with one of Eto'o's staff. Fecafoot's ethics committee announced: "We declare Geremi Sorel Njitap, the president of Synafoc, guilty of breaking the behaviour rules of our code of ethics. "We sentence him to a ban from all forms of football activity for five years, and to a fine of ten million West African francs [£13,000]. "He has ten days to submit a written appeal." Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Geremi's assistant Daniel Blaise Ngos has meanwhile been banned for two years and fined £6,500 for his part in the dispute. The midfielder won 118 caps for Cameroon, scoring 13 goals for the Indomitable Lions. Chelsea launch Club World Cup campaign with 2-0 victory over LAFC in Atlanta He helped them win Olympic gold in 2000, as well as two Africa Cups of Nations. A La Liga winner with Madrid in 2001, he also played for clubs in Paraguay, Turkey and Greece. He
