This week's Football Circus takes a look at Australia's tribute to Tim Cahill, Joe Kinnear's farcical interview regarding his new role at Newcastle and a tragedy in the Netherlands. Meanwhile the Italian Football Story of the week does NOT feature Mario Balotelli for a change...
Dutch Teenagers found Guilty of Manslaughter of Linesman
A quite shocking story has emerged from the Netherlands this week as it was revealed that five teenagers have been given two year sentences in youth detention, while another given a 30 day day sentence, for their parts in the beating of linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen. The incident took place during a youth game in Almere on December 2nd between Buitenboys and Nieuw Sloten. A father of one of the guilty players, aged 50, was also given six years in prison for his role.
The attack did not appear at the time to have caused too much damage to Niewenhuizen. He seemed to have recovered and avoided questions as to whether he would be taking action against the culprits. However he collapsed shortly thereafter and died.
The story has shook the Netherlands and Ajax coach Frank De Boer has made the following comments on the matter:
"You can't imagine it That boys of 15, 16 years short-circuit like that. You wonder about the parenting".
While the defence have argued that Nieuwenhuizen had an underlying condition, forensics have confirmed that it was in fact the beating that led to the linesman's eventual death. The defendants have two weeks to appeal the decision.
Australia Name Road after Tim Cahill...For Two Days
In advance of Australia's World Cup qualifying match against Iraq on Tuesday, the premier of New South Wales Barry O'Farrell and CEO of Football Federation Australia, David Gallop revealed they would be renaming the Cahill Expressway behind Circular Quay, the 'Tim Cahill Expressway'...For 48 hours at least.
The gesture was to honour the former Everton man, who would equal Australia's all time leading goalscorer were he to score in the qualifier. If Australia were to win the match, they would qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Barry O'Farrell said of the honour "In honour of Tim's potential milestone, and the significance of tomorrow night's FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Sydney, I am delighted to rename the Cahill Expressway the 'Tim Cahill Expressway' from now until full time tomorrow night".
Cahill himself expressed his gratitude, proclaiming: "I am extremely grateful and humbled by this wonderful gesture by the premier and the NSW government in renaming the Cahill Expressway in my name and in honour of the Socceroos. Tomorrow night is a huge night for the Socceroos, and for me personally, as we push to qualify for Brazil 2014 and without the support of the NSW people, and all Australians, we would not be in this position".
At this point the Ozzies seemed gripped by Tim Cahill Expressway-mania. Twitter pleas to have the Expressway permanently named the Tim Cahill Expressway were flying in. There was a definite glimmer of hope when David Gallop tweeted: "If Tim does score a goal tomorrow I'm sure the Tim Cahill Expressway will be there forever." Not long afterwards, premier Barry O'Farrell responded with a "We'll see depending on the results tomorrow".
And so it was onto the match itself. Iraq fielded a depleted side and the Socceroos were expected to win, perhaps even comfortably. A nervy game suggested they may falter, however on the 83rd minute, Australia had the ball in the net. The goalscorer, none other than...Josh Kennedy, the substitute who had been brought on for Tim Cahill six minutes earlier. Cahill had left the field, dismayed at his substitution. Holger Osieck's decision to take him off was justified however and the Tim Cahill Expressway, alas, was no more.
Newcastle appoint 'Four Time Manager of the Year' Joe Kinnear as Director of Football...
Newcastle United this week announced the appointment of Joe Kinnear as their director of football, to the dismay of many Magpies fans.
Kinnear, who had a brief spell as manager of the side before Alan Pardew's appointment, announced the news himself before the club had made it official.
Kinnear went on Talksport radio to conduct an interview regarding his appointment, and a series of mispronunciations and lies/errors regarding his past achievements, did little to appease the Tyneside fans.
The ex-Wimbledon boss told the Talksport crew that talks between himself and Mike Ashley had been ongoing for weeks. He claimed that Derek 'Llmabeezie' (Llambias), was standing down from his Director of Football role to make way for him and would take up another role at the club. Llambias was not in fact director of football prior to Kinnear's arrival. Furthermore, he has since resigned from the club. (Some stories allege that Kinnear had cancelled the proposed transfer of Twente player Douglas, based on the fact that he had never heard of him, thus causing Llambias to walk out).
Possibly the most laughable mispronunciation by Kinner during the interview was 'Yohann Kebab'. He was of course referring to Yohann Cabaye.
Further gaffs included calling Sammy Ameobi 'Amneobi' and Hatem Ben Arfa 'Ben Arfre'.
Ameobi subsequently posted a tweet to say that the new man should at least get his name right.
Kinnear claimed to have played over 400 games for Tottenham and said he was voted manager of the year four times. He played nowhere near that amount of games for Tottenham and was voted manager of the year just once.
He also alleged that he had access to every manager throughout all divisions in England, claimed to have been in contact on a weekly basis with Sir Alex Ferguson prior to his retirement and said he could pick up the phone to Arsene Wenger for a conversation whenever he wanted.
Newcastle made Kinnear's appointment official the following day. Could be an interesting season for the Geordies...
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Gattuso to Resume Coaching Career at Palermo
Palermo will this week announce the appointment of ex-AC Milan and Rangers midfielder Gennaro Gattuso as their new head coach.
Following his release from AC Milan last summer, Gattuso who is a World Cup winner with the Italian national team, became a player-manager at Swiss side Sion in February. That particular foray was a short-lived one and he was sacked from his position in May.
Palermo meanwhile were relegated from Serie A at the end of the season, following an 18th place finish. They will take a gamble however, by choosing the inexperienced Gattuso as the man to lead them straight back to the top flight from Serie B. The announcement is expected to be made on Friday.
Gattuso is yet to meet Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini and the question was this week put to him, whether he is nervous about his first encounter with a man notorious for firing managers regularly. The tough Gattuso responded, "I’m not afraid of Zamparini…I only fear death."
Magic 8 Ball Transfer Oracle
Daniele De Rossi seems to be one of those players who gets linked with a move away from his club every transfer window. Which is odd in itself given that the midfield maestro has been a one club man his whole career. This summer is no different.
Daniele De Rossi to Chelsea
(As reported here http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2013/06/03/4022661/chelsea-open-talks-with-roma-to-sign-de-rossi)
Magic 8 Ball Says...
"I have my doubts"
Football Recommendation
- Football 365
Non-Football Recommendation
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