Solano pleads his innocence
Monday, 6 August 2001 10:30Newcastle midfielder Nolberto Solano today pleaded his innocence in relation to a passport scandal reported in this morning's newspapers. The 26-year-old Peruvian international is travelling with his club team-mates to France today for the Intertoto Cup final clash with Troyes but spoke at the airport of his confusion and horror on reading the headlines which suggested he will be the first player in the Premiership to be hit after a long-ranging investigation.
"I know nothing about it," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, everything is in order." Newcastle refused to make an official comment on the matter although boss Bobby Robson is said to be furious that he story has re-surfaced just 24 hours ahead of their vital Intertoto Cup match in France.
According to the report, Solano, Arsenal's Lithuanian Tomas Danilevicius and one other unidentified player are at the centre of this latest probe and are expected to be named in a report issued by the Immigration Services following the conclusion of their six-month investigation just before the start of the new Premiership season.
Solano moved from Boca Juniors to the Magpies for £2.5million in the summer of 1998 and qualified for an EC work permit courtesy of his frequent appearances for the Peruvian national team. However, there is some confusion over the Greek passport he used to enter the country, which he claimed through his grandmother.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
