The Times says the player twice did not respond to a court summons to act as a witness and an investigating officer told the court that when he warned him to attend court, or face arrest, Distin laughed and said: "You can lock me up for ten years, I'm not coming back off my holiday." He made 33 appearances for us during the 2001/02 while on loan from Paris St Germain.
Frenchman who played really well during his one season at the club, but was often prefered at left-back, a position he didn't enjoy.
He drew up his terms, and wanted the same money as countryman Laurent Robert, but Sir Bobby Robson refused to pay it.
He joined Kevin Keegan's Manchester City after a bitter battle.