Rams hand out Mears punishment

Defender pays the price for going AWOL

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 30th August 2008

tyrone mears derby

Mears: Defied Jewell's orders

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Tyrone Mears has been informed that he no longer has a future at Championship side Derby.

The defender had been told by the Rams management that he remained part of the first-team fold and would not be allowed to leave before the transfer window comes to a close.

However, the 25-year-old then took matters into his own hands by undergoing a two-day trial at French giants Marseille.

Derby boss Paul Jewell is fuming at Mears' actions and has made it clear the former Preston man will never play for the club again while he is in charge.

With the Rams still holding the player's registration, Mears is now in limbo as Marseille are yet to follow up their interest in his services.

"As long as I am manager, Tyrone will never play for this club again," said Jewell.

"I have left a message on his phone saying he has made the biggest mistake of his life. His behaviour is an affront to our club and its fans."

Negatives

Derby have called in the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) to make sure their punishment is not contested once Mears is made aware of his fate on Saturday.

The issue has created an unwanted distraction for Jewell, a man who finds himself under increasing pressure following three games without a win in the Championship.

"People always want to look at the negatives and Derby are the whipping boys at the moment, as am I," he said.

"I am getting judged on what happened last year (relegation), but how about the season before when I kept Wigan up?

"How about when Wigan reached the Carling Cup final and finished 10th, or when I got them promoted twice?"