This week on Football Circus: Footballers with bags over their heads; The Simpsons; a 'Prophet' suing Sports Channel, Liverpool and Twitter and; Mario Balotelli misbehaving.
Bag It Up - Mexican Side Protest with Bags on Heads
Unpaid footballers from Mexico's second division club Celaya have taken an unusual step in protest against their club as they seek two months worth of wages. In the official team photograph before their game against Merida last Saturday, the players posed with brown paper bags over their heads, with Peso symbols, the words "Pay me" and sad faces drawn on.
If nothing else, the move has grabbed the headlines in the team's home country of Mexico and the Mexican players' association has announced on Twitter:
"The appropriate measures are being taken and the situation is being resolved".
Football Teams Hopeful Simpsons can make them some D'oh as Merchandise Deals signed
Barcelona have this week followed Chelsea's lead in announcing a sponsorship deal with The Simpsons. In an era where clubs have official have official potato crisp sponsors (we're looking at you Manchester United), deals to create club-branded Simpsons merchandise are perhaps not completely absurd. The Catalan club stated on their official website:
"Barcelona and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products have unveiled ‘Simpson-ised’ versions of Messi, Neymar, Xavi and Iniesta, as part of a campaign featuring a collaboration between the famous American series and the club.
"The agreement, which runs until 2015, provides for cooperation to create a broad product line of merchandising.
"Apart from FC Barcelona, other teams that have joined the collaboration (includes) Chelsea, Juventus, FC Porto, Boca Juniors, Corinthians and Zenit".
It would appear The Simpsons really are suffering from football fever at the moment and plans for a football themed episode, where Homer referees a game at this summer's World Cup in Brazil, are underway.
Fox's Jeffrey Godsick said of The Simpsons' seemingly sudden football obsession:
"2014 is the year of soccer with the FIFA World Cup, serving to connect fans from cities, towns and villages around the world to experience the biggest sporting event.
"This is the perfect opportunity to present a line of soccer merchandise, promotions and content that will leave an indelible imprint on The Simpsons fans around the world".
'Prophet' to Sue TV Channel, Liverpool and Twitter
A self-proclaimed Zimbabwean 'prophet' is set to sue South Afrian sports channel SuperSport after they broadcast a prediction from him in December that Liverpool would win the 2013-14 Premier League. The 'prophet', Uebert Angel who is head of the Spirit Embassy Church, is allegedly seeking £950,000 from the television channel as well as seeking damages from Liverpool and Twitter.
As it now looks unlikely that the Merseyside club will lift the Premier League trophy, Angel is purporting that his reputation has been damaged.
In a letter to a court in Harare, Angel's representatives outlined:
"The plaintiff claims compensation considering his character and stature as a prophet with great following who is respected the world over by religious, social and political leaders.
"It’s difficult to rehabilitate completely a reputation even if it is proved in court that the statement was misguided".
What's Mad Mario Upto this Week?
Balo's been a bad boy it would seem. Yes, it's been a turmultuous week for the focus of this weekly segment. As Milan fans openly criticised the team and staged protests this week, they have singled out Balotelli as one of the main reasons the team have performed so poorly this season. Their ire has been met with a mixed reaction from Milan staff and former players. Milan CEO Adriano Galliani raced to Balo's defence in an interview with Sky Italia:
"Balotelli? I’m very happy with the purchase of Balotelli and so are the fans. Without him we would not have gotten into Europe.
"It’s unfair to criticize him, he has scored the most goals for Milan.
"He has done so much for the club and I think we are giving to much attention to these protests".
Similarly, Milan great Paolo Maldini has spoken out in Mad Mario's defence, outlining his belief that Balotelli has not failed the club, but that the club may have failed Balotelli. Speaking with Gazzetta dello Sport, Maldini said:
"Balotelli is still not a champion".
"It's the same with Pato. The day I see him put the team on his shoulders and drag them for 90 minutes then he will be. He's only done it for short periods".
"I don't know, but I get that impression that if he had gone to Juventus, a team with clear ideas and a tough coach and solid group of Italians, he would make the leap".
These comments were preceded by criticism of the Italy striker by ex-Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta, who, while not writing off Balotelli, told Sky Sports Italia that he does not consider Balotelli to be "world class".
But opinions on Balotelli's on-pitch performances were a footnote when it came to Balotelli stories this week, as he was the focus of another scandal. And with that, we shall swiftly move onto our Italian Football Story of the Week...
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Balotelli, Higuain Rocked by Allegations from Playboy Model Girlfriend of Inter Star Saphir Taider
Veronica Graf, the Playboy model girlfriend of Inter Milan star Saphir Taider, has alleged that she had a 'foursome' with Mario Balotelli, his brother Enoch and a second female (rumoured by some media outlets to have been Enoch's wife). Furthermore, she has claimed she had an affair with lower league striker George Alfieri and was "approached" by Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain.
The allegations come on foot of Graf's appearance on the Italian version of the 'Big Brother' television show, however her comments were not broadcast on the show itself as producers feared legal action against them.
Balotelli (Mario that is) will certainly not welcome the allegations as he is currently in a relationship with Belgian model Fanny Neguesha. The striker has also recently been confirmed as the father of ex-girlfriend Rafaella Fico's daughter Pia. Inter's 22 year old midfielder Taider is also likely to be unimpressed by his girlfriend's behaviour, even if the allegations prove to be fabricated.
With Inter and AC Milan struggling to impress this season and lying in fifth and eleventh positions in Serie A respectively, fans may see a more exciting finish to their sides' seasons off the pitch rather than on it.
Artist's Impression of the Week
- 'Balotelli in Rumoured Foursome'
Football Recommendation of the Week
- Badly Drawn Footballers; Ever wondered what a poorly drawn picture of Ian Rush looked like? Well wonder no more. A Facebook page with the following description: "here you will find a drawing of every player in the merlin 94 premier league sticker book and maybe, if i can be bothered and not issued with a c&d letter from merlin's lawyers, 95, 96, 97 and beyond".
Non Football Recommendation of the Week
- GeoGuessr; Google Maps based game
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