Compiled by Mary Hannigan
Fiery Souness still seeing red
THINGS got a little heated at an under-10s’ Stockport Metro League game last week, with a parent of one of the players accused of swearing at the opposing team’s coach after his nine-year-old son was the victim of some rough and tumble on the pitch.
“This guy should know better. There were ladies in our group. He did say to them ‘excuse me’ but he told our coach, ‘If you think this is the way to teach kids to play, you’ve no ****ing chance.’ Our coach was speechless. It was out of order,” claimed a witness to the incident, Jeff Goodwin.
The father, though, denied that he had launched in to a foul-mouthed rant.
“I went over to the coach and I admit I swore,” he said, “and when I saw there was a lady present I apologised to her.
“At that point I turned and walked away and some very unattractive woman said to me,
‘Get off the pitch’.
“So I said, ‘Why don’t you shut up then?’, and that was the extent of me being rude.”
The father in question, incidentally, was a fella by the name of Graeme Souness.
Quotes of the week
“Stephen is not my son and I cannot force him (to play). If you want to try to force him, do. You pray, I no. Will he come back? Maybe. But my feeling is that he won’t come back. I have not spoken to him. He’s not my son. Now, it’s up to him, okay. It’s clear?” – Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni states his position. Loud and clear.
“I spoke to him about it at half time, of course. I had some experience with Jens Lehmann before. I think he would have headbutted him.” – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on his efforts to calm goalkeeper Manuel Almunia after he’d been whacked by Blackburn Rover’s El Hadji Diouf late tackle’.
“You have to know when there is a fire in the kitchen, when to flood that fire.” – Guus Hiddink, eh, explains how Chelsea lost to Spurs on Saturday.
“People will probably laugh, but I know I’m not injury-prone.” – Newcastle’s Michael Owen. Stop giggling at the back.
Legrottaglie shares his 'wisdom'
THE autobiography of Juventus defender Nicola Legrottaglie has hit the shops in Italy and, it would seem, the book is a shade different to your average footballer’s tome, the Italian choosing to share his controversial opinions on some of the major issues of the day.
One of the issues that most exercises Legrottaglie is that of homosexuality which, he reckons, “is seen like fashion these days”.
“For many it’s a way of going against things. However, it’s written clear in the bible that homosexuality is wrong,” he says. “As a Christian I would advise gay people to read the bible, and for those who are interested, my meetings on Mondays are open to them. Gays who have a wife and kids nowadays are taking things too far.”
More quotes of the week
“Mourinho to Real Madrid? That really would be good news – and good riddance. Maybe that way we’d get a little peace and quiet.” – Former Inter Milan manager Gigi Simoni dreaming of Jose boarding a plane for Spain.
“I told Jose in Italy there are a great many competent people and that he must ride the tiger with good judgement, otherwise it can get dangerous.” – Giovanni Trapattoni, meanwhile, warns Mourinho that it’s a jungle out there in Serie A.
“We’re gonna build that sucker!” – Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks promising, in his Texan way, that the new Anfield will be built.
“For Arsenal’s club captain to spit at my assistant shows you what this club is all about.” – Hull manager Phil Brown accusing Cesc Fabregas of dodgy behaviour after last week’s FA Cup game.
“I don’t even know who the assistant manager of Hull is or what he looks like.” – Fabregas responds.
“He’s not the best singer in the world – and there are only so many times you can sing Hello to someone.” – A Daily Star “source” revealing that Wayne Rooney is endangering his marriage by constantly singing Lionel Richie songs to his wife. Alas, on Saturday, it was “Goodbye” to Wayne after that red card.
“To get the Greek national manager ringing me up and telling me who I should play and who I shouldn’t play is absolutely outrageous. You deal with your damn Greek side, don’t start telling us who we should play. If I get another call from the Greek damn national manager, he’s going to get a real kick from us.” – Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie – we’re guessing Theofanis Gekas isn’t in the team, then?
“Of course I will try. But I’m only human.” – Brazilian Ronaldo says his clubbing days are over. Ish.
Scharner's gift
WIGAN’S Austrian defender Paul Scharner must have been chuffed when his services were chosen by the club as its prize in a Mother’s Day competition.
Karen Wiseman was a bit surprised too when the player turned up on her doorstep after her son’s poetic tribute to her . . . “She cooks, she cleans She’s very good with beans! She can be tough But she fills our house with love.” . . . was chosen as the winning entry. Scharner’s gift? He had to do Karen’s washing, hoovering and dusting, before making her a cup of tea. Oh the joys of a professional footballer’s life . .
