Yohan Cabaye Apologises to Newcastle United's Fans

Newcastle United star Yohan Cabaye has publicly apologised to the club’s supporters after refusing to play in their opening pair of fixtures this season.

The Frenchman, who was a £10 million target for Arsenal before the transfer window closed, ruled himself out against Manchester City and West Ham as speculation grew.

The deadline, however, passed without incident, and with Cabaye still on the books at St. James’ Park, the 27-year-old returned to action versus Fulham two weeks ago.

Now, after winning back a starting place for the victory at Aston Villa on Saturday, the playmaker insists he’s sorry the episode ever took place and has vowed to give the Magpies his all over the coming months.

In an interview with Anthony Marshall on United’s official website, Cabaye said:

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If the fans were—or still are—mad at me for what happened then I understand and I apologise to them.

I want to come back from what has happened. For Newcastle fans, football is their life and I want to say that I am going to give everything—as I have from my first day here —from today until the end of the season.

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You do not have a career without bad moments. I have moved on and now in my head I just want to work really hard, to get back in the team every week and to help the team—that is the most important thing for me.

I want to forget what happened during the summer, I want to put it behind me and give everything for Newcastle every day, for the club and for my teammates.

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Cabaye’s appearance at Villa Park over the weekend coincided with Newcastle’s second win of the season, with the midfielder playing an important role in their 2-1 triumph.

His experience in the middle of the park gave Alan Pardew’s men stability, and, alongside Moussa Sissoko and Vurnon Anita, the former Lille man was able to offer support to United’s three-pronged attack.

Such was his influence, Pardew likened Cabaye’s importance to the team to that of Wayne Rooney’s at Old Trafford.

After reintroducing his vice-captain, Pardew told Neil Moxley in the Daily Mail:

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Yohan Cabaye is just as important to us as Wayne Rooney is to Manchester United. He’s a player who carries the heartbeat of the team.

I think we all know that in the modern world, if someone comes along and offers you substantially more money to join another organisation it can turn your head—and it did turn his head.

I’m not saying he was perfect in what he did. But what I would say is that he has been perfect since the window shut—and I can’t ask more than that.

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