Here at Football Circus we don't like cricket...oh no...So if you're already sick to death of hearing about the Ashes and weird football stories are more your bag, join the Circus and have a read. Make the most of it because this is the last edition for two weeks!
Tragedy Strikes in Brazil as Ref Murders Player, Fans Murder Ref
We've had some weird and oftentimes shocking stories on Football Circus before, but this surely takes the biscuit...
Brazil and the football community across the world has been left shocked following the carnage that unfolded during an amateur match in the northeastern state of Maranhao.
The mayhem began when referee Octavio da Silva Catanhede Jordan, just 20 years of age, had sent off 30 year old player Josenir dos Santos Abreu. The player stayed on the pitch however and aimed insults at the young ref.
A fistfight subsequently ensued between the two parties, after which the referee brandished a knife and stabbed Josenir to death.
Exactly what da Silva was doing with a knife in the first place beggars belief. But the horror did not stop there...
Fans in attendance, enraged at what they had just witnessed, mobbed da Silva. He was first stabbed in the neck. Da Silva was then decapitated with a sickle and had his limbs removed by a member of the furious crowd. His head was then placed on a stake in the middle of the pitch.
Police are said to have detained fan Luis Moraes Souza in relation to da Silva's murder, while two other men are still being sought. Incidentally, the killings took place the same day that Brazil lifted the Confederations Cup. The Brazilian Football Federation would have hoped that the hosting of the Confederations Cup would advertise all that is good about Brazilian football. The shocking murders may sadly counteract any of their good work.
Birmingham travel to Dublin for Friendly...Keeper plays Up Front
Birmingham City traveled to Dublin this week for a friendly match against Shamrock Rovers in the Tallaght Stadium.
The Blues ran out 4-0 winners in what transpired to be a comfortable win.
There were some tense moments in the second half however, as striker Matt Green (scorer of the fourth Birmingham goal), collapsed in the Rovers box following a seemingly innocuous collision with one of the opposition.
Play was stopped for around ten minutes as medics were seen to rush onto the pitch to come to his aid. Worryingly, there was little movement from Green as he was given oxygen and stretchered off the pitch. He managed to gesture with his hand to the crowd as he was taken down the tunnel though, much to the relief of the anxious fans.
Birmingham were then faced with the problem of having used all of their substitutes...except Irish goalkeeper Colin Doyle.
After a very brief warmup, the unlikely figure of Doyle took his place up front. Following some woeful touches, Doyle took it upon himself to take a free kick just outside the Rovers box, much to the delight of both sets of fans. His shot curled round the wall and went straight into the arms of Rovers keeper Richard Brush, who himself was a replacement for the injured Barry Murphy.
Despite the stoppages that taken place, the referee played just two minutes of added time, perhaps to put Doyle out of his misery.
Doyle will certainly hope that his next run out for the Blues will see him back between the sticks where he belongs.
Match Fixing Scandal in Nigeria
Nigerian football has been shaken by a potential match-fixing scandal in the country's sixth division. We use the term 'potential' lightly as the two matches in question produced scorelines that are quite simply ridiculous.
Going into the final round of matches of the season, Police Machine were level on points with Plateua United Feeders. A mere two goals goal difference separated the teams.
Police Machine's last game was against Babayaro FC. Police Machine, won the match by a whopping 67-0 scoreline. Clearly not satisfied with having possibly the coolest name for a football team in football, they surely must have believed the league was wrapped up.
Not to be outdone however, Plateau United Feeders duly responded by thumping Akurba F.C. 79-0, thus meaning 146 goals had been scored between the two matches.
The results did not go unnoticed and have since been voided by the Nigerian Football Federation, who have not only branded the matches "a disgrace" but also suspended the match officials involved and may look to expel the guilty teams from the league.
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Tevez Escapes Community Service
Last week we reported on the possibility of newly signed Juventus striker Carlos Tevez facing possible jail time should he not complete his community service in Manchester, which he was sentenced to complete back in April.
The Argentine was this week relieved to find that he will not be spending any time behind bars, nor will he have to return to Manchester to fulfill the community service.
Instead, he will pay a paltry £3,000 fine, in accordance with this week's decision by Macclesfield Magistrates' Court.
Tevez had employed the services of solicitor Gwyn Lewis, who is nicknamed 'Merlin the Magician' for his ability to make punishments for footballer clients 'disappear'. Lewis has certainly earned his fee from Tevez, which will almost certainly have been a substantially higher figure than the £3,000 the striker was fined.
A statement from Tevez read:
"I would like to thank the court for its understanding. I appreciate their help and assistance in this case.
"I would also like to thank my legal team, especially Gwyn Lewis at Burton Copeland and all my advisors who have helped me throughout this case.
"All I want to do is continue my career in Italy with Juventus and I am looking forward to a new chapter."
Magic 8 Ball Transfer Oracle
With this man seemingly surplus to requirements at Manchester United, a string of clubs have been linked to him in recent weeks. This is the latest rumour doing the rounds...
Nani to Roma
(As reported here http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/roma-poised-for-nani-swoop-4882063 and here http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/06/luis-nani-could-quit-manchester-united-and-join-roma-reveals-agent-3871367/)
Magic 8 Ball Says...
'Yes'
Football Recommendation
QPR - The Four Year Plan. Interesting documentary giving a behind the scenes look into Queens Park Rangers.
Non-football Recommendation
The Joy of Cha, Templebar, Dublin
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