Media outburst: The Sun

The Sun Murdoch’s most popular paper

Following on from the article “Aretha says…” David Hills from the Observer in reference to the Sun Newspaper’s attitude to treatment of referees pointed out the hypocrisy of some of the media.

The Sun Newspaper said in April 2008

“The Sun today declares war on the Premier league’s loudmouths- and pledges to name and shame every player or manager who disgraces our national game. We are sick and tired of snarling stars hurling abuse at referees. The game is in danger of losing it’s sanity if refs are reduced to crumbling wrecks by loutish antics. We want power restored to the men in black and our message to bully boys is loud and clear: SHUT IT OR ELSE…”

However in June 2004 following England’s exit from EURO 2004:

“YOU SWISS BANKER! Euro 2004 buffoon ref cheats England heroes…You tell bungling ref Meier just what you think of his decision on his own website. Click on feedback, enter your name and email address and let rip”

Hills goes on to mention in brackets: “The result: 16,000 abusive emails, 5,000 calls, Meier placed under armed police protection in a safe house.”

Its funny how people can change their views so easily.

Filed under: England, arsenal, football, liverpool, soccer, sports , football, Referees, soccer, Sport

The end of the road for Derby

The News of the World’s standard of investigative journalism in exposing to the public, the shameful acts that celebrities and persons in high profile positions (see David Beckham affair with Rebecca Loos, or Sven Goran Erikson’s dodgy financial dealings with a fake sheik) would rather remain private, continued when it released pictures of Paul Jewell involved in sexual activities with a woman who was not his wife. Admittedly his wife has a right to know what devious situations her husband is getting himself into behind her back, but on the other hand it is dishonourable that a newspaper which endorses a McDonalization of the news has the second largest amount of sales in Britain. However Paul Jewell’s extra marital affairs might not be the least of his problems, for following a 2-2 draw with Fulham they were relegated from the English Premiership.

Filed under: Derby, football, premiership, soccer, sports

Goalpost’s February player of the month: Wayne Rooney

“Remember the name; Wayne Rooney” (CliveTyldesley Goodison Park Saturday 19th October 2002 )

This was close considering the performances of Christiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres but Goalpost’s February player of the month belongs to Wayne Rooney.

Filed under: FA Cup, football, manchester united, premiership, soccer, sports , football, manchester united, soccer, sports, Wayne Rooney

Aretha says, show referees R.E.S.P.E.C.T…just a little bit.

 Petulance towards referees is nothing new, but with the antics of Ashley Cole towards Mike Riley in Chelsea’s 4-4 draw with Tottenham and Mascherano’s act of dissent towards Steve Bennett in Liverpool’s loss to Manchester United, the issue of respect for referees has come to the furore of football topics. As a result of the actions from these two petulant players, the F.A. are planning to implement new regulations set out to protect referees, that could be introduced as early as next season.

Filed under: football, premiership, soccer, sports , football, Referees, soccer, Sport

Arsenal, Cesc and Ade give AC Milan a footballing lesson

Having been unlucky not to register a win at the Emirates stadium, the second leg in the first Champions league knockout stage saw Arsenal go through at the San Siro, against AC Milan courtesy of goals scored by Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor.

The set of questions posed before the fixture however, was whether Arsenal could perform the way they did at home against Milan but on foreign soil? Could they score against a well marshaled and experienced defence and could they progress to the quarter finals against a team steeped in European success and the current holders of the Champions league? The answer to all these questions would be yes.

Filed under: Champions league, England, arsenal, football, soccer, sports , football, soccer, Sport

Elderly Teddy Sheringham aims to retire at end of season.

The internet is awash with blogs, articles, pictures and news of Arsenal’s Eduardo Da Silva’s horrific injury. An important topic, which is understandably popular but overshadowed in terms of news by Theo Walcott’s brace and first goals in the premiership, and Tottenham getting one over on the “big four” in the Carling Cup Final. While our hearts lie with Eduardo, on a complete recovery and that his football career has not ended at the tender age of 25, let us remember the football players to whom have had a long and prosperous career playing what us Europeans call the beautiful game.

Filed under: Champions league, England, Millwall, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, football, manchester united, portsmouth, premiership, tottenham , football, sports, Teddy Sheringham

Carling Cup Final: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea (Injury time winner from Woodgate)

“Football is like war. You either live or die there is no sentiment”

Juande Ramos, February 2008

Tottenham Hotspur won their first trophy in nine years last night, where they had to come from behind to beat Chelsea FC, with a rather fortunate winner scored in injury time. Didier Drogba had put Chelsea in front in the first half through a freekick, of which Paul Robinson in Tottenham’s goal, should of been wise to. In the second half Tottenham were awarded a penalty after Wayne Bridge had handled in the area. Dimitar Berbatov cooly slotted the ball past Petr Cech in Chelsea’s goal, sending the match into extra time, and putting justice into which team had dominated the match thus far.

Filed under: Chelsea, League Cup, football, soccer, sports, tottenham , football, sports

How do you solve a problem like Rafa?

Rafael Benitez has been a great and fantastic success for Liverpool FC. Coming after having been in charge of Valencia in Spain, he had won two La Liga titles for that team; made them Champions league regulars and won them a UEFA Cup. This was a remarkable achievement considering Valencia were not considered heavyweights before he became their manager, and notable that his first La Liga title with Valencia was their first in thirty-one years.

Filed under: Champions league, football, liverpool, premiership, soccer, sports , football, sports