We're not sure who first christened football 'the beautiful game', but we're pretty certain that if they read Football Circus they'd be having second thoughts. Tis a grimey little blog indeed this week, as we report on a womanising Brazilian player, racism, a player falling out of love with the game, some ugly politics in Italy, a possible Mario Balotelli affair and wee in a bottle complimented by a disgusting chant. We also have some Mexicans wearing dog masks and an over-zealous fan.
Football Circus Clown Quote of the Week
- "Sandro’s holding his face. You can tell from that it’s a knee injury".
- Dion Dublin
Ronaldinho and the Racist Politician
Ronaldinho made a surprise move to Mexican team Queretaro earlier this month and his arrival has caused quite a stir. Firstly, the move surprised quite a few in the media as it was seen as a step down for the Brazilian and perhaps an admission that he was no longer able to perform at the top level. Ronnie has defended the move however, stating his reasons for the transfer:
"I want to win titles and girls here. I've always lived in the same way".
The former Barca man was also in the headlines after being subjected to racist comments from a politician. Carlos Trevino wrote on his Facebook page:
"I seriously try to be tolerant, but I HATE SOCCER, and the idiotic phenomenon it produces… I hate it even more because people get in the way and flood the streets making me take up to two hours just to get home… And all just to see a MONKEY… A Brazilian monkey, but a monkey nonetheless. This is has become a ridiculous circus".
Thankfully, Ronnie's new side Queretaro were not happy to let the disgusting comments go unnoticed and have confirmed:
"We as a club will go to the furthest reach of the law so that these types of expressions never affect our players or any member of our club again".
The Dog Men of Mexico
On Friday, Queretaro unveiled Ronaldinho at half-time during their match against Puebla, a game that finished 1-1. What was perhaps most noteworthy about the opposition, was their unusual training method which saw the players wear dog masks. The unorthodox training, was the brainchild of manager Jose Luis Sanchez Sola.
He attributed his ideas to Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, albeit Simeone's training does not involve dogs masks!
Sanchez Sola noted:
"I saw a video of Simeone doing what we did without mask, with all the intensity of recovering the ball.
"It’s sending the message with an anchor, the anchor is the mask. I understand that every time you go to play a ball and anchors you in the idea, remember you’re a dog, I have to go for it, fight it, steal it and defend it".
It's a Knockout! Sao Paulo Fan Overdoes it Celebrating Goal
Brazilian football fans are known for their diehard support, not least when it comes to cheering on their club. One particular fan may have gone slightly overboard last week though, when he injured himself as a result of cheering on Sao Paolo.
Much to their fans' delight, Sao Paolo beat fierce rivals Botafogo 4-2 away from home on Thursday last, but one of their supporters did himself a mischief after getting over-excited while celebrating one of the goals. The unfortunate individual got so carried away that the barrier in front of him gave way, causing him to fall forward and hit his face off a metal railing with considerable force. He was taken away by medics and though the injury was not believed to be too severe, Botafogo may want to review their ground safety after this video made it to Youtube.
W.WiEse - Former German Keeper Turns to Wrestling
In one of the more bizarre career changes for a footballer to make, former German international goalkeeper Tim Wiese has this week revealed he has been offered a deal to join WWE.
Wiese quit the game in January when he was released by German side Hoffenheim so he could pursue other interests...namely his obsession with building muscle. The former keeper who was part of the 2010 German World Cup squad, went on to become a bodybuilder. Though this latest development may seem a natural progression from bodybuilding, it's certainly a far cry from net-minding in the Bundesliga.
Speaking with German newspaper Bild, Wiese said of his extraordinary offer:
"I have an official enquiry from the WWE. It’s about working for them as a wrestler. I will listen. I don’t s*** my pants. Why should I immediately say no? Wrestling is very popular, especially in the States. I will go through the enquiry with my agent next week".
A Wee Surprise - Swiss Keeper Peeved after Water Bottle Incident
FC Muri goalkeeper Reto Felder was aggrieved to say the least this week after an unfortunate incident involving his water bottle during a match between the Swiss first division team and opposition side Baden. While drinking from the bottle during the match, Felder discovered that the bottle had been tampered with by fans and it was not water he was drinking, but urine.
The disgusting act lead to the following comments from Felder, who may now take legal action:
"I have never experienced anything like it.
"That is just primitive filth.
"I took one sip and realised that it was warm but thought that it was because of the sun. But by the second sip I realised that something was wrong.
"The mere thought of drinking p*** is unbearable. What if, the next time, it is something that knocks you out?".
The knuckle-dragging fans are also alleged to have chanted:
"Now you will get Aids".
It is hoped that the Swiss FA will come down hard on Baden and their fans as a result of the outrageous behaviour and a spokesperson has already commented:
"We take this incident very seriously. We are at the moment waiting to see what decision FC Baden arrives at. We can’t do too much at the moment. The club or the player can, however, go to a civil court".
What's Mad Mario Upto this Week?
Another eventful week for Mr. Balotelli. He played in Liverpool's disappointing 1-0 away defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, but made amends mid-week, scoring his first goal for the club in their narrow Champions League victory over Bulgarian side Ludo Razgrad.
Off the pitch, Balo is, if you believe reports, even more busy than he is on it. Rumours over the past few weeks have claimed he has split from fiancee Fanny Neguesha. Neither party have commented, though Neguesha recently uploaded an Instagram photo of herself in which she was not wearing her engagement ring. Some media outlets even suggest Balotelli cheated, while others will have you believe that Balotelli dumped Neguesha due to a number of rows they had. Either way, the dirtsheets have claimed that Super Mario has been less than a gentleman after what they allege was a "sex marathon" (see also "romp", "all nighter", "fling") with a hairdresser. According to the claims, Balotelli "loved" her and left her.
We can't be sure as to whether any of the reports regarding Balo's love life are true but what we certainly would like to believe is that he may have donated a rather generous £60,000 to Manchester Dogs' Home. The dogs' home was victim of a devastating arson attack last week. This week, the home have revealed that anonymous individual donated an incredible £60,000 to help them recover from the incident.
Accordingly to the Manchester Evening News, staff at the dogs' home believe that the donation came from none other than Mario Balotelli.
Accordingly to the Manchester Evening News, staff at the dogs' home believe that the donation came from none other than Mario Balotelli.
Jane Smith, a spokeswoman for the dogs' home, stated:
"Mario owns a dog but it was in quarantine in Italy so he used to come and walk all the dogs at the dogs’ home.
"We can’t yet confirm whether he made a donation but he is known as a big dog lover so it would make sense".
And in our last bit of Balo news this week, the striker seems to be fitting right in at his new club, uploading photos to his Instagram account of himself and his new teammates. AC Mi-Who?
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Palermo Owner Zamparini Unimpressed with Lazio Couterpart Lotito
In an interview with Rai Radio 2, businessman and Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini has openly criticised Lazio president and owner, Claudio Lotito, going so far as to label him a "little dictator".
Lotito is rumoured to have played a major part in getting his friend Carlo Tavecchio elected as FIGC president. Lotito was banned from football for two and a half years for his part in the 2006 Italian football scandal. He then served a five month ban for his involvement in the third party ownerships of Mauro Zarate and Julio Ricardo Cruz.
Zamparini stated in the interview:
"Lotito is a little Duce, a little dictator.
"He is suffering from an addiction to being a protagonist, but he’s working well for the Lega and the Federation.
"I still wouldn’t go for a walk with him, though.
"Is Lotito the real President of the Federation? No, at this moment his presence in the Lega is very strong, but I think Tavecchio has experience in the Federation and doesn’t need Lotito".
Artist's Impression of the Week
- 'Bottle Shock'; Swiss keeper has an unfortunate experience with his 'water' bottle.
Football Recommendation of the Week
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2015; FIFA has held the crown of 'best football game' for quite a number of years now and Pro Evo's brief stint being considerred number 1 looks like a distant memory by now. However their latest offering, judging by trailers at least, looks rather impressive. Perhaps not ready to overtake FIFA again just yet, the trailers for PES 2015 certainly suggest that the series is back on the right track.
Non-Football Recommendation of the Week
- 50 Way to Kill Your Mammy; A surprisingly amusing new Sky One show documenting the travels of Baz Ashmawy and his beloved mother, who visit a number of locations around the globe. Along the way, Baz attempts to 'kill' his mammy, testing exactly how far she will go for the sake of his own (and the viewers') entertainment.
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