Hatem Ben Arfa faces the sack at Newcastle after reporting for pre-season training overweight

French forward reportedly fined for being 1.5kg over acceptable weight limit

Hatem Ben Arfa is facing the sack from Newcastle United after allegedly returning for pre-season training 1.5kg (3lb 5oz) overweight.

French newspaper Le Parisien report that the 27-year-old was fined €2,000 (£1,580) by the club. Newcastle have so far refused to comment on the incident.

Ben Arfa is now highly unlikely to travel to New Zealand as part of the club's pre-season plans, though his future at the club was already looking in doubt after a series of clashes with Alan Pardew.

The Frenchman barely played in the second half of last season, despite once being described as his "match-winner" by Pardew.

Ben Arfa's PR team said it was looking into the matter but have also declined to comment so far. The French paper claim Ben Arfa denied being overweight and that the extra bulk was down to extra muscle.

Ben Arfa has just a year left on his deal and could leave on a Bosman next summer.