Tuesday, 3 March 2026
EX-NEWCASTLE STAR OPENS UP ON 'DAMAGING' COCAINE ADDICTION - 'I HURT LOTS OF PEOPLE'
Daryl Janmaat has opened up about the 'damage' caused by a cocaine addiction after retiring from professional football
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| Daryl Janmaat admitted he turned to drugs after hanging up his boots(Image: PA) |
Former Newcastle United defender Daryl Janmaat has opened up about the 'damage' a cocaine addiction inflicted on his life after his professional football career came to an end. Janmaat made his mark in the English top flight with both Newcastle and Watford during his playing days, whilst also spending a considerable period in the Netherlands.
The 36-year-old, who accumulated 34 caps for the Dutch national side throughout his career, spent two years at Newcastle before making the switch to Watford in 2016. Janmaat eventually departed Vicarage Road in 2020 to head back to his home country with ADO Den Haag, a club that now competes in the second tier of Dutch football.
Following his retirement from professional football in 2022, Janmaat went on to take up a role as technical manager at ADO Den Haag. The former Premier League ace has now spoken openly in an interview about the "damage" wrought by a cocaine addiction, as per the Mirror.
"I have three children who also hear and read things," Janmaat said, via Dutch newspaper AD. "I can't and don't want to go into all the details, but my cocaine addiction has caused a lot of damage."
The former Premier League star recounts how the conclusion of his professional football career, which came about after the ex-defender sustained a knee injury, was when his troubles began.
"I was supposed to get help from everyone and everything, but I was left to fend for myself. It was nothing," Janmaat added. "Suddenly, I lost the structure I'd had for years as a footballer.
"That was difficult. The cocaine addiction gradually crept in. You start lying to the people you love. That's terrible; I hurt a lot of people.
"The problems only started after I retired. As a player, everything is manageable: you go from training to training. From match to match.
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| Janmaat’s life changed dramatically after retirement(Image: PA) |
"When all that disappeared and I felt completely out of place as technical manager at ADO, things went wrong. Very much so."
Janmaat also spoke candidly about how the addiction has affected his personal life. "I'm still officially married, but we're no longer together," he stated.
"The relationship wasn't going well, you know, but the addiction obviously didn't help. A lot of damage has been done, although we're on good terms again."
Janmaat now operates his own gym business in Scheveningen called High Power Gym, and has revealed how he managed to overcome being in a 'really, really bad' place to transform his life.
"Cocaine destroys a lot. My family and friends were there for me, but I let a lot of people down," Janmaat admitted. "You start lying and distorting things.
"That's exhausting, but above all, very painful. Was it life-threatening? Well, I was in deep, very deep.
"There were times when I was really, really bad, let's just say that. I had everything as a player, and I still do, actually. But a lot has happened in the meantime. Too much.
"Addiction is truly a battle, where you're at your wits' end. Literally. You're in a struggle; it really destroys a lot.
"In a clinic like that, you have therapy and counselling. After that, I went in a different direction. Yes, the right direction. Fortunately."
- Mark Wakefield and Bruna Reis
ALVARO ARBELOA FUMES AT REAL MADRID PLAYER AFTER GETAFE LOSS - 'IT’S UNACCEPTABLE'
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| Alvaro Arbeloa fumes at Real Madrid player after Getafe loss – ‘It’s unacceptable’ |
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa defended his side’s performance against Getafe after their 1-0 defeat on Monday night, and while he admitted that his side can play better, felt they had done enough to win the game. On the other hand, he also had some stinging words for Franco Mastantuono.
The defeat means that the gap to Barcelona at the summit of La Liga remains at four points, a gap that in theory Los Blancos could overhaul. Yet many Madridistas were left wondering whether overhauling their most bitter rivals was possible given the way their side is playing. Arbeloa was clear that the title was still in play.
“No, now we have no other objective than to win the 36 points that remain at stake. This is Real Madrid and nobody gives up here. It’s a gap that we think we can close.”
Arbeloa: ‘We had clearer chances than Getafe’
Despite the feeling that Getafe had carried out their gameplan to perfection, as Jose Bordalas noted, Arbeloa believed his side had done enough for the three points.
“We had clearer chances than Getafe. We had Vinicius’s chance, Rudiger’s chance, Rodrygo’s chance… We knew the kind of game we were going to play. Nothing happened that we didn’t know was going to happen, and that’s how I see the game.”
“Saying that ‘it’s impossible for us to play well, that’s putting words in my mouth that I have not said. It’s true that we had chances to score; it’s also true that we can play better. I can’t fault my players for their effort. The responsibility for improving our play is mine. If anyone is responsible for the defeat, it’s me.”
Arbeloa also had criticism for the officiating, despite Antonio Rudiger escaping a red card.
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| Image via Sport / Europa Press |
“Today we struggled against an opponent that defended very well. We needed to be more aggressive in certain situations. We always tend to rely on Vinicius for the easy option, but we need to be a constant threat on both flanks. There were also many interruptions. The referee allowed a game where the focus was on not playing. But I have no criticism of Getafe because they do what they’re allowed to do.”
Arbeloa angry with Mastanuono for sending off
Late on, Mastantuono was sent off for dissent, meaning he will be absent for Real Madrid’s trip to face Celta Vigo on Friday. Bookings for Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen will also keep them out of the trip, but Arbeloa felt Mastantuono’s was avoidable.
“It’s unacceptable. The Mastantuono thing cannot happen. Huijsen and Carreras’ yellow cards are part of the game. But we’re going to have three very important players out in Vigo.”
Arguments for improvement
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Arbeloa had the following reasons for optimism.
“We have great players, others who are going to recover, and we have that objective of continuing to improve and that we can do better. I understand the criticism and the perspective that exists, but we played a good enough game to beat Getafe. We didn’t know how to take advantage of the chances we had.”
Los Blancos face Celta Vigo at 21:00 CEST at Balaidos this Friday, with a second chance to reduce the gap to Barcelona to one point, ahead of the Catalans facing Athletic Club. Following that, Real Madrid will take on Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16.
- Ruairidh Barlow
Monday, 2 March 2026
FIA PRESIDENT ISSUES STATEMENT AS GROWING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT THREATENS OPENING RACES
The President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has issued a statement amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the sport's governing body continuing to "monitor developments carefully and responsibly."
US and Israeli bombing of Iran at the weekend has been followed with a series of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, primarily targeting US military bases across the region.
Speculation has since increased that the opening races of the F1 2026 season will be affected, particularly in Bahrain and Jeddah with F1 races scheduled in April, due to air traffic freezes in the Middle East that have impacted important travel hubs in the region.
'Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions,' says FIA President
In a statement on social media, FIA President Ben Sulayem said the governing body are "deeply saddened" by the ongoing events in Middle East, and that the "dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities."
Ben Sulayem said: "As President of the FIA, my thoughts are with all those affected by the recent events in the Middle East. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted.
"At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm, safety, and a swift return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities."
The FIA President also emphasised that "safety and wellbeing" are to guide the governing body's decision making with regard to forthcoming scheduled events in the Middle East.
"We are in close contact with our Member Clubs, championship promoters, teams, and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly.
"Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One World Championship.
"Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose.
"That unity matters now more than ever."
Melbourne F1 boss provides update on Australian Grand Prix amid Middle East unrest
Despite the Middle East travel freeze reportedly affecting up to 1000 F1 personnel, Australian Grand Prix CEO Travis Auld has issued an update on the season-opener, with the Melbourne boss "confident" the race will not be impacted.
- byHenry Eccles
NBA FANS REACT TO GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS STEPH CURRY ANNOUNCEMENT
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| HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 04: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after defeating the Houston Rockets 103-89 in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 04, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) |
On Monday night, the Golden State Warriors will play the LA Clippers on their home floor in San Francisco.
The Warriors have been without their best player since the end of January, as two-time MVP Steph Curry continues to deal with an injury.
Golden State Warriors Make Steph Curry Announcement
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| INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to fouling out during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on January 05, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) |
On Sunday, the Warriors announced an update on Curry.
Yahoo Sports wrote: “Steph Curry will be sidelined at least more 10 days after being re-evaluated for lingering knee issues, the Warriors announced. Curry last played on Jan. 30 and has missed the last 10 games with patella-femoral syndrome/bone bruising in his right knee.”
Before the injury, the four-time NBA Champion had been averaging 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 46.8% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range in 39 games.
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| SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after he had an assist to Gary Payton II against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) |
Here’s what people were saying about the news:
@DrNiravPandya: “This is not surprising given the tricky nature of patellofemoral syndrome (with bone bruising as reported by the team). Unlike other conditions, the recovery is not linear. As it largely stems from overuse, pushing too quickly can lead to a flare up and more time missed.”
@Gene_February: “Speedy recovery to the Greatest player of our Generation”
@WarriorsAdamo: “They know he isn’t coming back, just shut him down for the season. They can afford the ticket sales dropping”
@Luigi__457: “Geez man Warriors are cooked.”
@diptimahapatra: “Steph go on a long vacation with Ayesha. This team is beyond saving and I would hate to see Steph get a catastrophic injury trying to salvage this season.”
@CuffsTheLegend: “Warriors should shut Steph Curry down for the rest of the season. This season is cooked anyway for Golden State. Let Steph get healthy and keep developing your young players.”
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| HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 30, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) |
The Warriors have had an up-and-down season that currently has them as the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 31-29 record in 60 games.
They are 19-12 in the 31 games they have hosted at the Chase Center.
Curry was the seventh pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Davidson.
He has spent all 17 years of his career with Golden State.
In that span, Curry and the Warriors have made the NBA Finals six times (and won four titles).
- Ben Stinar
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