FAUSTINO ASPRILLA, one of Colombia's favourite footballing sons, has suddenly found his popularity is on the wane. Newcastle's £7.5 million import has come under attack after going AWOL before his country's international against Bolivia.

Asprilla was impressive in Colombia's 4-1 win in Medellin on Thursday night, scoring once and having a hand in two other goals. But it did not prevent a barrage of criticism about his behaviour and the decision of manager Ivan Dario Gomez to allow him to play.

Colombian newspapers yesterday claimed Gomez was weak for reinstating Asprilla to the team after the player arrived nine hours late at their training base amid allegations he had been seen drinking with friends.

Gomez bowed to public pressure - Medellin is the town where Asprilla first came to prominence as a player - and accepted his excuse that he had a family matter to sort out.

But the country's leading sports writers said Gomez was wrong to go back on his original decision, and that Asprilla should have been punished.

Gomez said: "I can't win. Asprilla said he was sorry and I believed him. He helped us win the match yet I am criticised. It is hard to understand."

Asprilla has been told in no uncertain terms that any further behaviour like this in future will be unacceptable. Colombia's next match is at the end of April.

Meanwhile, Jean Pierre Papin has decided to stay another season at Bayern Munich despite all his problems at the German club. The 32 year old striker agreed with Bayern yesterday to take out an option to extend his contract until the end of June 1997.