Jonas Gutierrez has launched a legal battle against his former employers, Newcastle United, over the way he was treated by the anlub during his year long battle with cancer, according to The Chronicle.
At the beginning of last season, Jonas was seen as surplus to requirements by then manager Alan Pardew and was loaned to Norwich City. Despite clearly being good enough to start for the Canaries, Jonas hardly featured in the famous yellow and green strip.
Then the news emerged – via an Argentine news outlet – that Gutierrez had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. Newcastle United had been exposed.
Jonas was recalled from his loan by the Magpies and allowed time to fight off the deadly disease.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, fans began to question whether they would see the fan favourite wear the famous black and white jersey again. Then, in March, he returned. Jonas had successfully beaten cancer and worked extremely hard to regain match fitness.
John Carver acknowledged his hard work and gifted him a substitute appearance at Old Trafford. In what was a depressing time for the Geordie faithful (due to a string of disappointing results), Jonas’ return was a glimmer of hope.
The Argentine winger went on the rescue the Magpies on the final day of the season, where a win was needed to secure Premier League safety. Jonas produced a top drawer performance – assisting Sissoko’s opener and scoring the winner.
Cisse… Coback… GUTIERREZ! Can there be a more popular goalscorer?! The man who knows the true meaning of survival makes sure that Newcastle do survive at this level in what is probably his last game for the club!
The iconic commentary of his strike still gives me goosebumps to this day but, sadly, this would be our last memory of the Argentine international as the board elected not to renew his contract.
Following the expiry of his contract in the summer, Jonas publicly criticised the club on a number of occasions for their treatment of him during his battle with cancer, as well as their unwillingness to hand him a new contract despite securing their survival.
He has now launched a case against the club for disability discrimination worth £2million.
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