‘Mad’ 90s soccer hero missed cup remaining because of highway rage row with bus driver

Legendary Colombian footballer Faustino ‘Tino’ Asprilla once missed a Parma cup clash due to having scrapped with a bus driver.

Fondly known as ‘Tino’ on Tyneside after his spell playing for Newcastle United, the Colombian, who turned 55 this weekend, is one of football’s brightest characters, known for his ‘sex-scapades’ as well as having his own brand of condoms.

However, there was a time when the ex-Newcastle star actually missed Parma’s 1993 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final against Belgian side Royal Antwerp, due to having gotten into a scrap with a bus driver back in Colombia. The fight led to Asprilla getting injured, forcing him to miss the game, which Parma won 3-1.

Speaking to FourFourTwo back in 2008, Asprilla was asked by a fan: “Is it true you were injured for Parma’s 1993 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final because you got into a fight with a bus driver back in Colombia?”

And that prompted Asprilla to reply: “Yes, that happened here, in Tulua. A bus driver smashed into my car, and then when I got out to get onto the bus, he shut the door on me.

“It was one of those security doors – so when I kicked it, my foot went through the glass but got cut as it came out. I was furious. If I’d got into the bus, I would have hit him, but he escaped.

“I’m a bit calmer nowadays – but in those days I used to get mad. And that’s why I missed the final.

Asprilla is still fondly remembered on Tyneside despite only making 61 appearances for the Magpies across three seasons. And it’s a feeling Asprilla shares when reminiscing about his time at St James’ Park.

Another fan asked: “What did you know about Newcastle before you joined? And what did you really make of the fans, the food and the women?”

Asprilla said: “I knew nothing. I’d only been to London before – and to Leeds because they tried to sign me. But the women were divine… haha! I had… well, I don’t know how many girlfriends I had in Newcastle.

“At the beginning I didn’t even understand what they said. I never liked English food – my stomach couldn’t cope with all the seasoning. So I always ate in foreign restaurants – Spanish, Italian. The Newcastle fans were impressive; I have never had such a strong reception anywhere else.

“They deserve to be champions. What left me really sad – because I was brought in to win the Premiership – was that we ended up coming second. It was a very strange season.”