Newcastle United’s former hero Allan Saint-Maximin is at the centre of a doping scandal involving Fenerbahce.
Saint-Maximin last week sensationally alleged that Fenerbahce tried to “dope” him with a suspicious product.
A turbulent two years since leaving Newcastle United has seen the Frenchman join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. He lasted just one year in the Gulf state before joining Fenerbahce on a season-long loan.
Despite an impressive start, Saint-Maximin soon fell out with Jose Mourinho and found himself out of the team. The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur manager called Saint-Maximin overweight when sidelining him towards the back end of the campaign.
His Fenerbahce exit exploded further with fresh bombshell allegations. Speaking to Sozcu, Saint-Maximin claimed the Turkish giants tried to “dope” him while slamming their overall treatment.
"The reason Fenerbahce could not become champions was that the club was surrounded by factors other than football,” he said. “At one point, they even tried to dope me. People do not know these things.”
And, following some rebuttals by Fener, ASM has fired back.
In a remarkable statement to his Instagram, Saint-Maximin said: “Never argue with a liar. You can’t win because they believe their own lies. The truth is coming 🔜⌛️💛💙.”
Allan Saint-Maximin on Newcastle United
Despite searching for his fourth club in as many years following failed stints at Al-Ahli and Fenerbahce, Saint-Maximin keeps close tabs on Newcastle events. The winger has thanked the fans for their fervent support during his four-year stay at the club - words that every possible Toon target should take note of.
"They gave me back my taste for football," he told Turkish media. "These fans don't realise it, but this fervour changed my whole life. When you arrive in a stadium that shouts your name throughout the entire match and you see big tifos, honestly, I don't even have the words. It was exceptional.
"That's why I say that these are the kind of experiences that you maybe only live once. Afterwards, you live them, but you live them differently. You experience them differently, and that's what happened to me. It's a love story that was exceptional and I want to thank them for that because I wouldn't have rediscovered my love for football without them."
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Eddie Howe on Allan Saint-Maximin sale
Eddie Howe previously admitted he did not want to sell Saint-Maximin but financial restrictions forced his hand. He said at the time: “It’s difficult to comment on individual players but player trading, if you look at Man City or Arsenal, they have traded players. Not between each other but in recent windows.
“We have done that ourselves with Allan Saint-Maximin, a player we didn’t want to sell, but we had to last summer. That will continue to be the case, that will give us the opportunity to keep things fresh.”
Allan Saint-Maximin’s next challenge
The former Newcastle ace has hinted at a return to Nice this summer. He said: “My heart is in Nice. Maybe one day I will return there. I will return to France soon. It will do me some good, stay tuned! I have two or three things to sort out, but I will be back soon.”
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