Another edition of Football Circus is here to ease your January blues. With little going on in the January transfer window, many fans have actually been forced to watch some football this week to get by. Fear not though, for Football Circus has dug out the weirdest (though not so wonderful) stories from the football world over the past week, just for your entertainment. So if it's suggestions of incest, bizarre selfie rulings or unfortunately named children that you want to read about, you've come to the right place...
Football Circus Clown Quote of the Week
"Martin Atkinson swallowing the whistle in both directions".
- Phil Schoen of beIN Sports during the Liverpool-Chelsea Capital One Cup match this week.
Oscar Photo with Wife & Sister Causes a Stir
Chelsea's Oscar made headlines in his home nation of Brazil this week for a photo he posted to his Instagram account of himself with his wife and sister either side of him, each planting a kiss on his cheek whilst wearing some tightly fitting clothes.
Oscar's family photos which he posts to social media accounts often raise eyebrows. He, his wife and sister, all appear to be quite tight-knit shall we say, as exhibited in the photos below.
However, his latest Instagram upload appears to have pushed some of his followers over the edge. Such was the controversy that the snap with wife Ludmila and sister Gabrielle caused, the Brazilian international was forced to remove it from his account.
Comments on Twitter regarding the photo included: "can someone explain me why oscar is touching his sister's bum?" and "I know Brazilians are affectionate people, but this photo of Oscar with his wife and sister is a little odd to me...".
The little attacker may think twice before he publishes anymore pics from the family photo album to the net.
You'll Never Walk Alone...But You May Want to Change Your Name by Deed Poll
A Norwegian couple have this week revealed to the media that their five year old daughter is named 'YNWA', an abbreviated version of "You'll Never Walk Alone", a song famously associated with the father's beloved Liverpool.
In an interview with Dagbladet, the child's mother, Eirin Isabell Iversen, detailed how her daughter's name came to be:
"I’m probably not as interested in football, but it was actually my suggestion to call her "YNWA".
"He suggested 'Gerrard', before we knew if it was a boy or girl.
"Her name is Karoline YNWA.
"We could not really force her to cheer Liverpool, but she is very proud of her name".
Iranian Players Banned from Selfies with Female Fans
After we last week reported on Francesco Totti's now infamous selfie following his second goal in the Rome derby, selfies are again make headlines this week in the world of football, though not for the right reasons. The Iranian national team, currently competing at the Asian Cup in Australia, have be banned from taking selfies with female fans for fear that the photos "may be used for political ransom". That's according to Ali Akbar Mohamedzade, head of the Iranian Football Federation’s disciplinary committee.
Mohamedzade stated:
"Players are not allowed to pose for selfies with female fans.
"They may later use these photos for political ransom against our country or sue the players for harassment.
"If the players refuse to act according to our clear instructions then we will be left with no option but to deal with them.
"In some of the selfies that our players have taken with the fans we can see they appear next to people whose appearance we regard as being against our moral principles.
"I have therefore had to contact the national coach and questioned him about this issue and he has explicitly denied having agreed to posting of such selfies on social networks".
Pirlo Picks All Time Champion's League XI
Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has this week informed the Daily Mail of his all time Champion's League XI lineup consisting of past (and present) teammates and opponents and it makes for interesting reading. The former Italy, AC Milan and Inter Milan hero has unsurpringly picked out quite a few fellow nationals. Eyebrows may be raised however at the fact that he has chosen Paul Scholes and Kaka whilst leaving out one Zinedine Zidane. Ronaldinho similarly failed to make the grade.
Lionel Messi has made the starting eleven but is partnered by current AC Milan manager Filipo Inzaghi rather than Cristiano Ronaldo, or indeed his namesake, the Brazilian Ronaldo.
Pirlo said of his selection of Inzaghi:
"Just the perfect goal scorer. We had this most incredible understanding. We did not even have to look for each other. He knew what pass I would make and I knew where he would be. You gave him a chance and he would take it".
The full lineup read as follows:
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
Defenders: Philipp Lahm, Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro, Cafu
Midfielders: Paul Scholes, Gennaro Gattuso, Xavi
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Kaka, Filipo Inzaghi
What's Mad Mario Upto this Week?
Balo missed Liverpool's victory over Aston Villa at the weekend under rather controversial circumstances. The striker was said to have been ill, hence being left out of the match day squad. However he was spotted that evening in San Carlo restaurant in Manchester with friends. Super Mario clearly wasn't overly-perturbed about what the media would say as he promptly uploaded photos of the night out to his Instragram account.
Super Mario's "illness" also kept him from playing in Liverpool's Capital One Cup encounter with Chelsea on Tuesday evening. He posted an Instagram picture of himself wearing a onesie and standing beside a television showing the match, with the caption: "This illness might prevent me from helping my team on the pitch but it will NOT stop me from supporting my team off the pitch!! come on guys.. COME ON LIVERPOOL.. YNWA".
As it would seem is the case with every transfer window, Balotelli has been strongly linked with a transfer away from his current club. Though only with Liverpool since the summer, his failure to succeed has meant such rumours have been stronger than ever. Former Liverpool player and assistant manager Phil Thompson this week told Sky Sports that he believes the Italian striker will not be at the club for much longer:
"I think they need to change things up and we need a bit more experience.
"We still need another striker. If you pin me down regarding Balotelli, he’s been in and out of squads - sometimes not even making the substitutes' bench.
"To me, I would think if there’s an offer there for him from another club, then they will take it, as long as Sturridge is ready to come back.
"When Sturridge returns, he will quite rightly be in this side.
"What you’ve seen when Sterling goes up front is pace, and pace worries centre-backs.
"Balotelli and Lambert don’t run in behind the defenders, as Sterling does.
"So when you have him and Daniel in the side, like last year - you have two players to worry about".
Italian Football Story of the Week
- 'Atomic Ant' Giovinco Joins Toronto FC
Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco this week confirmed in a statement that he will be moving to MLS when his contract runs out this summer as he has signed a contract with Toronto FC. The move is a huge coup for Toronto, MLS and indeed Giovinco himself as he is set to become the highest paid player in the league's history in a five year deal worth over $7 million a year.
The man nicknamed the 'Atomic Ant' announced:
"I am excited to sign with Toronto FC today and look forward to joining the club this summer.
"I have heard so many great things about Toronto over the years and I know that it will be a city that I feel right at home in.
"Until then, I have many things I still want to accomplish for Juventus and our fans. I will always give my heart and soul for Juve until I change shirts this summer".
Giovinco may not even have until the summer to fulfil his promise however, as Sky Italia report that Juve may look to save on his remaining 6 months' wages by releasing him from his contract.
Giovinco's move to the Canadian city took many by surprise given he is only 27, whereas most big name European stars who move to MLS are nearing the end of their respective playing careers. Yet according to the Italian's agent, there was a shortage of offers from elsewhere.
Andrea D’Amico told Radio CRC:
"Half of Toronto speaks Italian and I wanted to create prospects, going into a positive sporting phenomenon.
"I am truly surprised that there were no important Italian offers and he was also surprised. North America represents the future of football in many respects".
Artist's Impression of the Week
- 'Messi Makes the Grade'; Messi is picked in Pirlo's dream team but other big names are completely omitted.
Football Recommendation of the Week
- Nike Elastico Finale III; A mighty fine astro turf boot. Mighty fine indeed.
http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/fc247-elastico-finale-iii-ic-soccer-shoe/pid-10214490/pgid-1546632
Non-Football Recommendation of the Week
- Runkeeper; A pretty easy to use, yet detailed run tracker, that has enough features to make it stand out over it's competitors. Free to download. Worth a go if you're a running enthusiast.
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