There’s an adage that maintains it is never a good idea to discuss religion or politics in polite company. Sport may not qualify as the latter, but it’s fairly obvious that it is always a bad idea to bring up such issues, especially in the footballing world.
With the world’s attention focused on the bloody conflict in Gaza, it was inevitable that some footballer somewhere would dip his toe into the maelstrom with something other than the usual bland “let’s all pray for peace” schtick.
On Wednesday, Frédéric Kanouté, the Seville striker, while celebrating a goal against Deportivo La Coruña, lifted his jersey to reveal a T-shirt that read “Palestine”. Note, it didn’t read “May my Palestinian brothers drive the Israelis into the sea” or “Hamas: More Rockets Please” or even just “Free Palestine”. Simply “Palestine”. Read the rest of this entry →
Manchester United and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo was named FIFA World Player of the Year at a ceremony on Monday.
Barcelona`s Argentine forward Lionel Messi was second, with Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres third.
Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez, also of Barcelona, and AC Milan`s Brazilian playmaker Kaka completed the top five.
Ronaldo won the honour for the first time after helping United win the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup. Read the rest of this entry →
Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari conceded the 3-0 thumping by Manchester United had dented Chelsea’s title challenge but added the race was far from over.
Suffering a first away league defeat this season on Sunday, the Blues were easily swept aside at Old Trafford.
“I think it has done some very big damage because we didn’t come here to play like this,” Scolari said.
“But don’t think if we lose one game we are finished. We have 17 games left and we will fight to the last.” Read the rest of this entry →
On-loan AC Milan midfielder David Beckham has made his competitive Serie A debut for the club against Roma.
Beckham played 89 minutes in the Olympic Stadium before he was replaced by Mathieu Flamini as Milan drew 2-2.
The England international had been expected to start on the bench, but Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti played him on the right of a three-man midfield.
Beckham had not played a competitive game since the end of the MLS season with Los Angeles Galaxy in October.
He said: “I found out I was going to start before the game during the team meeting. Read the rest of this entry →
