On a week where a space probe dominated the headlines, we have quite a star filled Football Circus for you this edition. Messrs Ronaldo, Messi, Ballague, Van Gaal, Balotelli, Conte, Trapattoni and Mazzarri all feature. Even WWE wrestler Sheamus gets in on the act. Aside from all the big names we also have news of an extremely controversial end to a match in Argentina which resulted in...yep, you guessed it, a riot. So never mind comets and attempts to discover the origins of life, explore this week's Football Circus instead...
Football Circus Clown Quote of the Week
"He reminds me of Gareth Bale when he opens his legs".
- Phil Neville makes a rather peculiar remark about Luke Shaw
Somebody's in Trouble as Ballague makes Controversial Ronaldo Claim
Cristiano Ronaldo was this week under fire after an extract from Spanish journalist Guillem Balague's book, 'Messi', did the rounds online. The extract claimed the Portuguese international has a rather unsavoury nickname for his Barcelona counterpart.
Not known to see eye to eye with Messi, accourding to Ballague, Ronaldo refers to the Argentine as 'Motherf****r'.
The Real Madrid man heard all about the extract and was less than impressed. The world player of the year stated via his Twitter account:
"News are cicurlating that I allegedly made offending remarks regarding Lionel Messi. This is absolutely false and I have assured my lawyer takes action to sue those responsible. I have utmost respect for all my professional colleagues, and Messi is obviously no exception".
Ouch. Mr. Ballague take note, you may have a court date coming up.
Go Home Louis, You're Drunk! United Manager Handles Alcohol Badly
In another book that is likely to cause a stir this week, Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has been panned as being a poor drunk. In 'O, Louis: In Search of Louis van Gaal', author Hugo Borst has claimed that the former Netherlands boss does not hold his alcohol well and is even rude to his wife Truus.
In the book, Borst alleges:
"The way he treats Truus in company is ungentlemanly and sometimes downright disgraceful.
"In the company of friends and acquaintances, Louis has made comments that in nine out of 10 marriages would have been grounds for divorce.
"Of course he also has sweet things to say about his wife. “I have a lovely wife,” he said on German TV, “and the sex is good too".
The damning book also quotes goalkeeper Khalid Sinouh, whom Van Gaal managed at AZ Alkmaar, who made clear that Van Gaal was less than impressed with him after training poorly:
"He had already b******ed me for it once but the second time he comes over and starts screaming at me something fierce and his dentures go flying".
You'd swear Christmas was coming with all of these scandalous books hitting the shelves...
Liverpool Visited by WWE Wrestler Sheamus
WWE wrestler Sheamus was in Liverpool this week ahead of WWE's RAW show and he took time out to visit Anfield, home of his favourite football team. The Dublin wrestler is a massive fan of the Merseyside team and posed for photos wearing their home jersey as well as meeting one delighted four-year-old, whom he brought around the pitch and a signed a jersey for.
Whilst there, Sheamus made some interesting comments about the current Liverpool squad and which of them he believes could try their luck in a wrestling ring. Unsurprisingly, Martin Skrtel was picked out as one squad member who could hold his own in a squared circle, but the other player named by Sheamus may raise a few eyebrows:
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Sheamus commented:
"I think Skrtel has got a great look – he’s got that skinhead look.
"To me watching him I feel like he’s a bit of a gentle giant, but I think if you got him going, he would be a bit of a lunatic!
"I think he would fit right into a WWE ring, his size and presence, I think he definitely would make a great WWE Superstar.
"Sterling as well, I’d love to see Sterling if he ever got in the ring at an early age, I reckon he would be pretty athletic as well. He could be a high-flyer!".
The Dubliner also explained how he came to support the Reds:
"There was about three different contingents in my school, a couple of groups liked Arsenal and Manchester United, and Liverpool, and because of the Irish contingent of Aldridge, Staunton, Whelan and Houghton and all – Mark Lawrenson was there as well in the past – I just picked Liverpool.
"My dad was dismayed because he was a Leeds United fan, he was trying to get me into football for years, he was always trying to put me on the Leeds side, but I became a Red".
Argentine Premier Division Game Ends in Controversy
The Argentine Premier Division clash between Lanus and Arsenal this week was a controversy-laden affair to say the least.
With the game delicately poised at 2-2, the referee allowed an astonishing amount of injury time which allowed Lanus to score a winner, nine minutes after normal time.
After the goal went in, referee Andres Merlos called a halt to proceedings. He earlier infuriated Arsenal by disallowing a goal which had looked offside, whilst Lanus' winning goal appeared to feature a handball by Silvio Romero in the build up.
The referee's poor decisions gave rise to a mini riot after the match. Nevertheless, the victory puts Lanus just two points behind league leaders River Plate.
Merlos did not escape unpunished however as the Argentine FA confirmed:
"Referee Andres Merlos was suspended for an indeterminate time".
Meanwhile, Arsenal club president Julio Grondona, has confirmed his club are not prepared to forget about the incident and that legal action will be taken.
Speaking to radio station America, he said:
"We'll make a legal presentation because after the third goal there wasn't a kickoff in the centre.
"There is a precedent in a match between Huracan Corrientes and River...when the disciplinary tribunal modified the result. FIFA's rules say I'm right".
What's Mad Mario Upto this Week
As his club football continues to stutter, Balotelli has made the news this week for his international career. Despite having been called up the Italy squad ahead of the their Sunday game against Croatia, Balo is by no means guaranteed a starting place, or even an appearance as a substitute for that matter. That's according to his manager, Antonio Conte, who has had the following to say about Super Mario's recall:
"If he does as I say, then good, he could be on the team or on the bench or indeed in the grandstand. If he doesn’t, well then the doors here at are revolving, You can come in and you can go out. We won’t be seeing you anymore and Amen.
"Maybe it is better that he arrives at Coverciano at a difficult moment for him. I will have a chance to have a good look at him and also at Cerci. They are both players who represent a great patrimony for Italy but who have gone to play abroad and who are having problems".
Conte later spoke of Balotelli's struggles at Liverpool:
"Personally, I'm not going to pay attention to talk about the club.
"People try to exaggerate each situation and I feel sorry for him.
"Today he is here and he has to answer to me. I will judge him by what he does in the next seven to nine days.
"I'm worried that people see Balotelli differently to the others.
"Balotelli is a normal footballer, just like the others. We don't need to differentiate Balotelli from the others, he's just one of the 23 players.
"Balotelli has significant experience with the national team, he has played at a World Cup and a European championship, but that's not enough.
"He needs to catch my eye and I have to see if he can adapt to our type of football.
"If he can, he can play in the starting line-up, but he can also be on the bench or in the stands.
"My duty is to see how I can use them in this national team.
"This route has today provided Balotelli with the chance to show what he can be. Should he not prove himself, it'll be for a reason".
Prior to joining up with the national team, Balotelli had been photographed out in a London nightclub following Liverpool's defeat to Chelsea, something which sparked plenty of talk in the English press - Because twenty-something millionaire footballers are expected to stay in every night of the week.
In some more lighthearted Balo news, his brother Enoch took to Instagram to post a photoshopped picture of Mario as his national team manager Antonio Conte. As with most Balo-related photoshops, we're a little lost for words...
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Il Trap Opens His Trap about Inter Coach Mazzarri
Managerial great Giovanni Trapattoni has spoken out in defence of Inter Milan manager Walter Mazzarri as the Serie A side's manager comes under fire from all quarters following Inter's woeful start to their league campaign. As Inter languish in 9th place, Trapattoni who himself managed Inter from 1986 to 1991 and even won the league with them, has said he has pleased Mazzarri has been given time and that the fans and club president alike should persevere with him for now.
Speaking to FCInternews.it, Trapattoni had the following to say:
"I believe the Coach is not the problem. Inter, and I can testify to this directly, has always been accustomed to great victories and the fans constantly want to compete with Juventus, Roma and Milan.
"I think Mazzarri has some excuses, because the players are the ones who go on the field and, all in all, it seems to be they have been unlucky.
"I am happy that Erick Thohir has given more time and faith to Mazzarri so that he can fix things. We are only in November and there is time to put the team back on track.
"I don’t know if the reports of the next two games being decisive for the Coach are true or not, but overall I note people are judging him too harshly.
"He has the players, so let’s give Mazzarri time to work with a united group. I feel I should defend Coaches under pressure.
"I have faith in Thohir’s project too, as if Moratti decided to leave the club to him, there must’ve been a reason.
"Thohir is also aware that, if needed, Moratti will always be there and his support will never waver".
Artist's Impression of the Week
- 'Balo's Barnet'; The Balotelli family's photoshopping efforts prove that Balo's hair is best left as it is.
Football Recommendation of the Week
- AndyTateEdits; Andy Tate has become something of an internet sensation since the Manchester United fan's David Moyes bashing went viral last season. For those of you unfamiliar with Mr. Tate, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4CgqV1A5Lg. AndyTateEdits showcases Vines (many, many Vines) of some 'remixes' shall we say. Our favourite is probably the Eminem 'My Name Is' Vine. Probably best kept for a day when you have plenty of time on your hands as we spent far too long giggling like schoolgirls at the efforts.
https://twitter.com/AndyTateEdits
https://twitter.com/AndyTateEdits
Non Football Recommendation of the Week
- The Scale of the Universe 2; After the comet landing this week, we've decided to go a bit nerdy for this week's non football recommendation. The Scale of the Universe 2 is an interesting website of putting anything from an atom to a galaxy into perspective.
- The Scale of the Universe 2; After the comet landing this week, we've decided to go a bit nerdy for this week's non football recommendation. The Scale of the Universe 2 is an interesting website of putting anything from an atom to a galaxy into perspective.
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