The legendary Magpies player has been threatened in his home country…
Ex-Newcastle United striker Faustino Asprilla has been forced to leave his home-town in Colombia after trouble with local gangs, according to the Guardian.
The 45-year-old said on his website that he has been kicked out of his home in Tuluá, Colombia “by the back door” because of threats from criminals.
“Today is one of the saddest days of my life. I had to leave my own land, Tuluá, as a victim of extortion by a group of anti-socials,” Asprilla said.
“My family was threatened in front of me, my father, my sisters. Helpless and hurting, I took the decision for the safety of my loved ones to leave Tuluá.”
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The Mail quote the player as explaining that his family were threatened by men who pulled up in cars and told him to contact their “chief”, or risk being killed.
Colombia’s well publicised problems with drug gangs has eased in recent years, but problems persist, especially in the South West of the country, in isolated areas like Tuluá.
Asprilla became a local hero in Newcastle in his two year spell at the North-East club. His hat-trick against Barcelona is one of the club’s most fondly remembered moments.
He also played for Parma in Italy, as well as clubs in Colombia, Brazil and Mexico.