footballcircus: Napoli 501

How to do you follow up a 75th edition featuring lederhosen, Bart Simpson and the Pope? A 76th edition featuring Linkin Park, international football playing policemen, 70 game bans and denim jerseys, that's how!

Football Circus Clown Quote of the Week

"They're the second best team in the world, and there's no higher praise than that".

- Kevin Keegan

Please Stand...For Linkin Park?

The crowd and players present at the MSK Zilina Stadium in Slovakia last week got a bit of a shock before the Slovakia-Malta friendly got underway. As the Maltese players and fans geared up to bellow out 'L-Innu Malti' ('The Maltese Hymn' in English), a rather different tune was heard arond the stadium.

Linkin Park's 'Numb' was blasted out for a few seconds, much to the amusement of many in attendance.

The mistake was quickly rectified as the Maltese anthem was swiftly put on 'play'. Though some of the Malta side were seen laughing, they may have been unnerved as they went on to lose the game 1-0. The individual in charge of the PA system in the stadium may now be one step closer to the sack. Anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xzzUa5GHy0

The Butcher, the Baker and the Candlestick Maker

Gibraltar played their first ever competitive game against Poland on Sunday and though it wasn't quite a case of the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker, they fielded as many policemen as they did professional footballers!

Gibralatar's international team is still in its infancy and with a population of just 30,000, their pool of talent was always going to be limited. Despite losing the game 7-0, they did well to field a team everything considered. The professions of the first eleven were as follows:

1. Jordan Perez: Fireman
2. Scott Wiseman: Professional footballer
3. Joseph Chipolina: Admin clerk
4. David Artell: Academy director at Crewe Alexandra
5. Ryan Casciaro: Policeman
6. Roy Chipolina: Customs
7. Lee Casciaro: Policeman
8. Rafael Bado: Storeman
9. Kyle Casciaro: Shipping agent
10. Liam Walker: Professional footballer
16. Brian Perez: Electrical department

Austrian Player Given 70 Game Ban

He may have taken things a step further than Paolo Di Canio, but Austrian fifth division player Ismail Gunduz will not have been expecting this punishment. Gunduz had lined out for SK Rum in a match against SPLG Innsbruck and had been booked. In the 86th minute of the game, with his team 3-2 up, Gunduz committed a second bookable offence and was promptly sent off. And Gunduz saw red in more ways than one.

The midfielder attacked the referee, headbutting him, causing him to bleed heavily from his face. The ref suspended the match despite there being only four minutes left, in order to go to hospital.

Gunduz has now been handed a 70 match ban, has been sacked by his club and fined €257. Gunduz has claimed innocence, telling local media he "slipped" and believes the punishment does not fit the crime. He will miss nearly three full seasons.

Horst Scherl, head of the governing FA (the Tyrolean FA), has however dismissed Gunduz's pleas of innocence, stating:

"The 70-match suspension is without precedent as far as we know, but it seemed proportionate to us given the gravity of the offence".

Celtic Star Names Newborn After Pirlo

Way back in March 2013 in what was only our second edition of Football Circus, we informed you of how Italy striker Antonio Cassano had taken the unusual measure of naming his son after Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi. Fast forward 18 months and it would appear that Messi isn't the only footballer being honoured by fellow professionals in such a manner.

Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal this week celebrated the birth of his new son and his decided to name the baby...Pirlo! The Israeli midfielder stated on his Instagram account:

"Today I have been graced with the birth of my first child Pirlo kayal. My wife Angela and Pirlo are both doing well. It's been an emotional day, especially for my parents who have came to see the birth of their first grandchild. I would like to thank everyone for all their support and messages. I also thank god for everything he has blessed me with and today he has blessed me with a son . #nopirlo #noparty".

Napoli 501

Last season Napoli released an horrendous camouflage away kit. So whatever they followed it up with this season couldn't be any worse, right? Wrong. They have today revealed their 2014-15 follow up to the camourflage disaster...a denim number!

We hope for the players' sakes they don't have to don the away jersey in the May. The whole team will be eradicated by heat stroke.

What's Mad Mario Upto this Week?

There may indeed be two sides to Mario Balotelli as we have this week learned. Having not being picked to play for Italy during the international break, Balo appeared in a Liverpool side that took on Wolves in a behind-closed-doors friendly. A photo from the match emerged, showing Balotelli being spoken to by referee Chris Foy and Wolves midfielder George Saville holding his head. The photo was quickly seen all over social media and sparked rumours that Balotelli had kicked Saville in the head.

However Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett moved to deny there having been a fracas between the two players:

"I can’t even remember a 50-50 between Balotelli and Saville", Jacket stated.

"I can’t really think of an incident where him and Saville clashed, if I’m being truthful. Balotelli was substituted, but not after any particular tackle or incident".

On Monday, Balo was busy attempting to win over fans by advising children returning to school to study hard, via a video uploaded to his Instagram account. He also commented:

"Hi kids, today starts school in most countries. It’s like the beginning of the season in football. It’s therefore time to start giving Your best as this helps shape your future. Good luck!".

In some final Super Mario news this week, Usain Bolt has alleged that he had a hand in Balo's move to Liverpool. Manchester United-supporting Bolt has this week said of a conversation he had with pal Balo:

"We’re talking, and I tell him England is the best place to be. I talk to him and I said listen, when you play against Man United, just make a few mistakes. We’ll be all right".

Italian Football Story of the Week

- Buffon Yet to Sign New Juve Deal

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is apparently in no rush to sign a new deal with the Turin giants. Buffon is in the final year of his contract and though he may well get round to penning a new deal within the next few months, he is as yet, undecided on his future.

In an interview with Calcionews24.com, Buffon's representative Silvano Martina said:

“There is no rush, nor any short-term agreements made.

"We have an excellent rapport with Juventus, so there will be no problems. Right now I can’t talk about details, as it’s still too early.

"Buffon is a key figure at Juventus and still the best goalkeeper in the world.

"These are questions you should ask him. I don’t know, but right now he wants to play".

Artist's Impression of the Week

- 'Come on Higuain'; Napoli kit launch resembles Dexys Midnight Runners Video

Football Recommendation of the Week

- Nationwide Football Annual 2014-2015; A great coffee table / bathroom book for filling your head with relevant / irrelevant football knowledge, whichever way you look at it. An encyclopedic amount of information squeezed into one pocket-sized book (albeit with rather small font).

http://www.amazon.com/Nationwide-Annual-2014-15-Soccers-Encyclopedia/dp/1907524436

Non-Football Recommendation of the Week

- Trailer Park Boys, Season 8; Available exclusively on Netflix, Ricky, Julian and Bubbles return to form with their latest offering of drink fuelled misadventure.