Welcome to the eighth edition of Football Circus, bringing you your weekly dose of weird and wonderful (or not so wonderful) football stories from around the globe.
Love, Love Me Blue
Jose Mourinho has dropped his biggest hint yet that he may return to Stamford Bridge this summer. The Special One was interviewed after Real Madrid's aggregate defeat to Borussia Dortmund in this week's Champion's league semi-final second leg.
In a rushed interview, ITV's Gabriel Clark rather hurriedly questioned a dejected Mourinho about whether he would once again attempt to win the Europe's biggest club competition with Real Madrid. Mourinho replied with a shrug of the shoulders and a simple "Maybe not".
He went on to say "I don't know but I want to be where people love me to be". Interviewer Clark was quickly running out of time as the broadcast neared an end so concluded "We'll assume that means England".
While ITV possibly missed out on a massive scoop for the sake of their ten o'clock news broadcast, Jose elaborated further in his post-match press conference: "I want to be where people love me to be. I know in England I'm loved. I'm loved by the fans, I'm loved by the media that treats me in a fair way, criticising me but giving me credit when I deserve it. I know I'm loved by some clubs, especially one, and in Spain, the situation is a bit different because some people hate me."
Mourinho enjoyed three successful years at Chelsea, prior to joining Inter Milan and Real Madrid thereafter. However he left under a cloud of darkness after encountering difficulties in his relationship with chairman Roman Abramovich. Rafael Benetiz currently holds the rather tentative title of 'interim manager' at Chelsea, though it is widely expected he will be let go once the current season adjourns. Whether Abramovich will swallow his pride and invite Mourinho back to the Bridge, remains to be seen.
Revenge of the Match Officials
Last week Football Circus reported on how a referee had been hospitalised after an attack by a player in an Indonesian league game. Well this week, the officials are fighting back.
Amkar Perm player Ilya Krichmar was the victim of a surprise attack instigated by Chechen linesman Musa Kadryov during their reserve league game against Terek Grozny. Krichmar, who is just 18, was walking towards his bench after the referee had blown his whistle, when the linesman took it upon himself to run onto the pitch and push Krichmar to the ground. Kadryov was then seen to kick the shocked Krichmar.
Once he managed to get to his feet, Krichmar was surrounded by opposition players who lashed out at him. Baffled Krichmar eventually escaped the melee with the aid of his teammates. Chechen linesman blamed his actions on Krichmar, claiming the player had insulted him. Krichmar objected to the claims, stating "We weren't happy with the officiating, words had been exchanged but I had never said anything personal about him or his mother. I know how sensitive Chechen people are."
It is not yet known whether Kadryov will officiate again.
Robbie Rogers to Return to Football?
Three months ago, Robbie Rogers retired from professional football. Having been released by Leeds United, he decided to hang up his boots and publicly announced that he was gay. At the time, Rogers attributed his decision to retire, not to the fact that he was clubless but to what he believed to be an intolerance among the football community of homosexuality.
Rogers had at the time of his retirement, hinted that he may someday return to play professionally, such was his love for the game but commented "Now is my time to step away. It’s time to discover myself away from football".
However months have since passed and Rogers may now be set to make a comeback as it has been revealed that he is training with L.A. Galaxy as of this week.
Former U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena, now in charge at the Galaxy, was pleased to welcome Rogers to his training sessions: "He looked a lot sharper than I thought he would today, given the fact he's been away from the game for a while", Arena stated after Rogers' first training appearance. "The timing I guess is good. I think our league is a progressive league. Our league is a league comprised of all different races, colours and creeds, and to be accepting of a gay athlete I don't think is anything that's difficult for our league. We've had a great mentality of being open and tolerant of all different kinds of people, views, what have you. We've known Robbie a bunch of years and he's a first-class person and we're only too excited to have him here with us."
Whether Galaxy can secure Rogers' services should he decide to return to the game is questionable, as it will involve them having to make a trade with Chicago Fire who currently own Rogers' M.L.S. rights. The bigger question, is how Rogers' return will be received by the football community as a whole.
NBA star Jason Collins came out as gay earlier this week, becoming the first active player in a major professional sport in the U.S. to publicly do so. Rogers may opt to see how Collins' decision pans out before making up his own mind about whether or not to return to his sport of choice.
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Pope to get a Run Out in Italy-Argentina Match?
In what could be reminiscent of the Father Ted episode featuring Father Romeo Sensini, there are rumours aplenty this week that Pope Francis may feature briefly in an Italy-Argentina friendly that has been mooted to take place this August.
The potential friendly was first suggested by Italian national team manager Cesare Prandelli following Pope Francis' election and would be considered a tribute to the new Pope. Argentine media now claim that should the fixture take place, Pope Francis will take the first kick of the game.
Pope Francis is known to be an avid football fan and was shown holding a scarf of his favourite team San Lorenzo aloft on the evening of his election. He may very well be interested therefore, in attending the August international. Whether he would be keen in taking part in the match, or fancy his chances one-on-one with Gigi Buffon, remains to be seen.
Giancarlo Abete, president of Federcalcio (the Italian Football Federation) has remarked: “The possibility of playing this game is taking a positive trend. There was a meeting yesterday and there’s a good chance it could be played in Rome on August 14. How his Holiness will participate in the game is not up to us. It is bound to be an important event due to the strength of the teams and the context of the game".
Football Recommendation
The 'Hyundai A-League Bloopers' end of season Youtube videos have apparently gained some notoriety over the past few years. Somehow they have escaped us at Football Circus. Until now. If you want to see some candidates for the Darwin Awards, check out the 2013 edition at the link below:
Non-Football Recommendation
Darkness on the Edge of Town - A teenage sharpshooter hunts her sister's killer in this violent modern Western set on the plains of southern Ireland.
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