footballcircus

Close the curtains, light some candles and stick on some Barry White because Football Circus is getting sexy. This week we report on members of the Spain team allegedly getting robbed at a strip poker party in Brazil, Ronaldinho's new line of condoms and the repercussions of Silvio Berlusconi's 'Bunga Bunga' parties. In some slightly less sexy news, we take a look at one of the more controversial managerial firings of the year so far.

Spain National Team Players Allegedly hold Strip Poker Party in Brazil only to be Robbed

Brazilian website Globoesporte this week reported that members of the Spanish national side held a party at the Golden Tulip Recife Palace hotel in Recife, following their victory against Uruguay in the Confederations Cup. A band was brought in and as the players drank through the night and at some point, five women joined the group and a game of strip poker ensued.

Globoesporte further claimed that when the players resurfaced the following morning, the women had disappeared and around €1,000 worth of cash was missing. A combination of alcohol and strip poker could not possibly equate to financial loss, could it? Members of the team were also said to have thrown television remotes and bars of soap from the windows of their hotel rooms. How rock and roll.

The allegations have been vehemently denied by the Spanish Football Federation, although they claimed a robbery had taken place - something that the hotel denies. Spain captain Sergio Ramos and centre back Gerard Pique also moved swiftly to publicly deny the rumours. A statement from Federation read:

"The Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol denies completely the news spread by a Brazilian media outlet and that infringe upon the good name of the Spanish national side and the honorability and professionalism of its players".

"Six players of the national team were the object of a burglary in the team hotel in Recife during the Spain-Uruguay game. This fact was duly reported to the Brazilian police. Later there has emerged a series of allegations about our players, which the RFEF completely denies and repudiates, deeply, because they damage the honour of the players and their families and friends".

Ronaldinho Releases Own Line of Condoms, called...'Sex Free'

First we had Pele promoting Viagra. Now Ronaldinho has released his own brand of condoms.

Oddly, the product has been named 'Sex Free', which would not quite seem apt for the intended purpose.

Ronnie's current club Atletico Mineiro are also associated with the condoms.

The ex-Barcelona man should be commended though, as he has launched the condoms as part of his role as a global ambassador for the United Nations against AIDS.

The Brazilian announced on Twitter and Facebook:

"Guys, a condom with my signature on has hit the market, Atletico MG 'Sex Free'. In partnership with sport against AIDS!"

Ronaldinho is not the first footballer to have a line of condoms. Former Italy striker Christian Vieri also promoted his own range of latex, while David was an unofficial spokesperson for a Chinese brand.

Poyet Sacked while On Air in BBC Studio

Brighton this week took the unprecedented step of parting ways with manager Gus Poyet - As he sat in a BBC studio as a pundit for the Confederations Cup game between Uruguay and Nigeria.

Poyet had been on air prior to kick off and once the half time whistle blew, coverage switched back to the studio where presenter Mark Chapman, instead of immediately analysing the first half, announced that news had filtered through to the studio of Poyet's sacking.

Chapman said that he had handed Brighton's statement confirming their decision to Poyet during the first half.

The statement from the club regarding the firing read as follows:

"This followed his suspension, an investigation, and a subsequent formal disciplinary process. In line with the club’s own procedures, and UK employment law, Mr Poyet now has a right of appeal. As such, the club will make no further comment at this time".

Poyet appeared relatively calm and composed despite the bombshell and confirmed he would be appealing the decision.

The former Chelsea star responded from the studio, stating:

"I’ve still had no communication from the club, no text, no email. I didn’t receive anything. I’m probably the first to be in this position. Everyone can make their own conclusions about the way I have been informed by you".

"I think the BBC got a great story really because a manager getting the information that he’s been released from his employment during the time of a programme is quite surprising".

"I suppose reading the statement I will be able to talk to them. It’s been really sad, they gave me so much, they made me so proud and not being able to answer a call or text or even an email for legal reasons is unusual for me".

"Are they messing with my career? We will see, it’s too early to say. I am looking forward to clearing this".

"The only thing I’m concentrating on is the appeal. I will appeal because it’s the right thing to do. I cannot understand it any more, after this I will talk a bit longer with my lawyers and they are reading, and until we go through that it’s very difficult to make any comments".

Italian Football Story of the Week

- Milan President Silvio Berlusconi Setenced to Seven Years in Prison

AC Milan president Silivi Berlusconi, who also happens to be Italian prime minister, has this week been sentenced to seven years imprisonment having been found guilty of having sex with an underage prostitute.

The 76 year old was also sentenced to a lifetime ban from holding public office.

The Milan president stood accused of having sex with prostitute Karima el-Mahroug in 2010. El-Mahroug was just 17 at the time. Berlusconi was additionally charged with abusing his position as he allegedly pressured police to release the girl from custody after she was arrested for a suspected theft.

Both parites deny the charges and as Italian law dictates, such a sentence for Berlusconi will not come into affect unless the allegations are found to be definite. A decision could take years to be reached, however the story will do little to enhance the prime minister's reputation.

Magic 8 Ball Transfer Oracle

This week's focus of the segment was to be Carlos Tevez to Juventus. Then the transfer was confirmed. Then we switched our attention to the rumour of Isco moving to Real Madrid. Then that too was confirmed. So we're hoping it will be third time lucky with this rumour...

Micah Richards to Bayern Munich

(As reported here http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/322885/EXCLUSIVE-Bayern-Munich-want-Manchester-City-s-Micah-Richards/)

Magic 8 Ball Says...

"ABSOLUTELY NOT"