This week on Football Circus we feature one player who has posed for a photo with a suspected terrorist; a 29 year old retiring from the game; a 43 year old returning to the game; and player found guilty of biting opponents on no less than three occasions, set to star in a children's book as a vampire. It was a sad week for Balotelli as he said farewell to his father and in our Italian Football Story of the Week, Juve say goodbye to Pirlo...
Football Circus Clown Quote of the Week
"A friend of mine gave me the quote ‘he is either smelly or Pele’ and it will be my job to make sure he is more Pele than smelly".
- Yeovil Town manager Paul Sturrock on his side's new signing Jamie Burrows. According to our research, Sturrock is in fact a grown man.
Oh Sh...aqiri! Inter Midfielder Courts Controversy after Photo with Suspected Terrorist
Inter Milan's Xherdan Shaqiri found himself under the spotlight this week after photo he posed for with a fan went viral. The problem was, the fan in question was none other than suspected terrorist, Shefqet Krasniqi. Krasniqi is the imam of the largest mosque in Pristina, Kosovo - Shaqiri's home country. However he was also arrested in September as a terror suspect.
The Inter midfielder said of the photo faux pas via his Faceboo page:
"A picture of the imam Shefqet Krasniqi and myself has caused a lot of unnecessary controversy.
"A picture of the imam Shefqet Krasniqi and myself has caused a lot of unnecessary controversy.
"The imam came to me and asked for a photo, like thousands of other people have done. I had a photograph with him as it would have been rude to refuse not to.
"I was not aware that the imam was associated with terrorism. I can't check the character of every fan who wants to take a photo of me.
"We Shaqiris are observant Muslims, but we are very far from all extremists".
Hamburg Player Released, Retires Almost Immediately at 29
Hamburg released defender Marcell Jansen at the end of the season and as a result, the player has made the unusual decision to retire at the age of just 29. Jansen, who has 45 caps for Germany, says he could not bring himself to play for any other club, such is his love for Hamburg.
In an interview with Bild, Jansen stated:
"I thought about it on holiday. There were a lot of good offers but for me carrying on is not an option.
"I am fit, can move on a free transfer, could still earn good money but I prefer to renounce the money.
"In the last few years I was very emotionally tied to HSV. I will continue to live in Hamburg and will always love this club. Gladbach, of course, as well. But now some new club? No, I don’t want to lie or deceive some other club or fans when I am no longer fully behind it. I can’t just suddenly kiss another badge now".
Having started his career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Jansen moved to Bayern Munich for a season before joining Hamburg in 2008, where he made 144 first team appearances.
He's Back! Rivaldo Returns to Playing at 43
While Marcell Jansen is retiring at 29, such is his passion for his club, a familiar face has confirmed he will be returning to the playing field this week. Brazil and Barcelona legend Rivaldo retired from the game in March 2014 and took over as president of his club in Brazil, Mogi Mirim. At the time he said:
"My history as a player has come to the end. With tears in my eyes today I would like to thank God, my family and all the support, the affection that I received during those 24 years as a player".
Flash forward to July 2015 for the twist in the tale. Mogi Mirim have been floundering and Rivaldo, in all his wisdom as president, has seen no other option but to don his boots and Superman costume and help them out himself. On Tuesday, the midfielder played for 68 minutes in Mogi Mirim's clash with Nautico in the Brazilian Serie B.
Said Rivaldo of his return:
"After one year and three months, I started training back again and went out to play a match after just 20 days and that inspires any younger player.
"I helped the team get out of this predicament. We are still in a difficult situation and we are doing our best to get out of it".
Rivaldo, still as humble as ever.
Suarez to Appear in Children's Book as Vampire
Luis Suarez is fantastic footballer but unfortunately, he may be best remembered for his biting antics. In 2010, Suarez bit PSV's Otman Bakkal. In 2013 he repeated the offence, when his victim was Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic. At the 2014 World he bit an opponent for a third time when he sunk his gnashers into Italy's Giorgio Chiellini. Now author of children's books, Peter Barron, wants to depict the Uruguayan striker as a vampire.
The book in which Suarez will feature is called "Daydreaming Daisy McCloud" and forms part of Barron's 'Monstrous Morals' series. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Barron said of his decision to feature Suarez:
"When I was writing the book Luis Suarez had been in trouble again for biting another opponent.
"So when I needed a striker to complete my monstrous line-up he seemed to fit the bill.
"I just hope he sees the funny side of it and the idea doesn't come back to bite me".
What's Mad Mario Upto this Week?
It's been a sad week for Balo, as he returned home to Milan to bury his father. The striker's adoptive father, Francesco Balotelli, died after a long illness. Super Mario took to Facebook and Twitter to thank fans for their support during his difficult time, with the following message:
"Thanks everyone for the support..
"I really wanna thank everybody .
"My family thanks all of you too".
He also posted a photo on Instagram with the caption:
"I'll see you again".
Liverpool allowed Balotelli compassionate leave to attend the funeral as he had been due to report back to training for them this week.
Little else going on this week with Balo, thought rumours linking him with a move to Newcastle seem to be becoming more persistent. Watch this space...
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Juve Say Goodbye to Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo this week said goodbye to Juventus as the club confirmed he was departing to join New York City FC. The club marked Pirlo's departure with a statement on their website and a tribute video, thanking the great midfielder for his service.
The statement read:
"Pirlo is silent charisma, the steady hand in the middle of the park, the dummy that undoes the opposition defence. He’s that unexpected game that splits the game wide open, the lofted pass that brings a team to its knees.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to share these four fantastic seasons with Andrea, and all associated with Juventus wish him the very best for the future.
“Thanks for everything, Maestro, and good luck".
The following video was also posted on the Bianconeri official Youtube channel:
Pirlo in turn, tweeted a thank you message to Juventus:
"Heartfelt thanks to all of you. It was not an easy decision to make, but the moment has come to start a new adventure which, however, will never make me forget the bond I have with these colours. To the very end: Forza Juventus".
"Heartfelt thanks to all of you. It was not an easy decision to make, but the moment has come to start a new adventure which, however, will never make me forget the bond I have with these colours. To the very end: Forza Juventus".
Is someone chopping onions in here?
Artist's Impression of the Week
- 'Chewy Luis'; Suarez to star in children's book as a vampire.
Football Recommendation of the Week
- The Man Who Played Offside (Documentary on One); RTE podcast on Patrick O'Connell, the Dubliner who was the first Irish captain of Manchester United and managed Barcelona. An insightful and intriguing listen.
Non-Football Recommendation of the Week
- AccuWeather; The best damn weather forecasting app there is. (Whaddaya mean this is the most boring non-football recommendation we've ever made? We can't help it if we're not out having new and exciting non-football related experiences every week, we're busy compiling Football Circus!).
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