The world likes nothing more than an idiot to make us all feel better about ourselves. The World Cup has duly delivered. An otherwise intelligent, multi-lingual, footballer, has debased the game, and himself, despite twice before facing the world’s censure.
I feel for Italy, who should have seen an opponent sent off before they conceded the goal which put them out of the tournament, for Giorgio Chiellini, the victim of the assault, and manager Cesare Prendelli, who resigned after leading a large nation to failure in a group which Uruguay and Costa Rica progressed from. Few in our game are selfless enough to resign from any job, so he deserves credit, but the prevailing narrative on the offender sits uncomfortably.
Instead of asking “Why?” the most obvious question is “Why did anyone think he wouldn’t?”
A man loses control of his emotions, gets angry and reacts in an inexplicable way he has repeatedly done so before, despite calmly delivered assurances he would never do so again. It’s not exactly a unique human tale.
What if he was a wife beater, would anyone be surprised? Some men repeatedly lose control, get angry and indulge in an inexplicable act of violence against the person they are most dependent on (women have been known to regularly ‘lose it’ too, of course).
I don’t know what the treatment programme for wife beaters is, but I’m pretty sure it’s completely separate from any punishment. Does fear of punishment, condemnation, or of hurting yourself or your loved ones, matter the instant before an attack? I suspect not.
Suarez is not repeatedly beating a helpless victim, so I’m not equating him with those who do, but his case is more difficult to resolve. You can tell a wife beater not to get drunk (etc.), but Suarez’ trigger is the tension which arises on the football field. He will feel this tension again and we should expect him to react in the same uncontrollable way. In fact, opponents are now more likely to provoke him, so, if anything, the rate of incidence is likely to increase.
Like the bully who is not fit to be alone with his loved ones, Suarez is literally not fit to be on a football field. To protect him, and others, from himself, he should be removed from the game until that rage is under control. This may also rob him of his mojo, which is a very great pity.
The other narrative of the week is that the game should not only value people who lose control of their emotions but should put them in charge, as it takes anger to get results. Watch the adherents to this doctrine line up to condemn the logical conclusion of their strategy.
Dreadful news that David Taylor, one of our own, former SFA chief executive and latterly one of the top men at Uefa, died. Our condolences to his family.
I was delighted when Greece were awarded an injury time penalty when needing a goal against Ivory Coast but the trauma when Georgios picked up the ball! Things are still raw…. Fortunately Georgios is not prone to letting his emotions get out of check. The coolest man on the planet acted like he was training at Lennoxtown. So pleased for him.
Cast your memory back to the “Greek tragedy” goading the player received from ITV commentators during World Cup 2010, based on his limited exposure at Manchester City. They’ve all learned now.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Celtic Graves raffle, which was drawn by Celtic FC Foundation chief exec, Tony Hamilton. First name out of the Celtic carrier bag and winner of Scott Brown’s boot was Edward John Gavin Whyte. Second name out and winner of Virgil Van Dijk’s boot was Erin McCafferty.
Just over £1,000 was raised and half of this will go to the hospice who looked after Wee Oscar.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his book, All the Best.
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HT
I’m several postcodes away and I’m laughing too.
That nervous kinda laugh…..
minxIsGonnaGetYaCSC
HH jamesgang
jamesgang
I’ve just told her you called her Bobo.
She’s going to kick your shins until you faint!
:-)
Suarez meets his match
Thud………
<pog
your ticket for the St. Pauli game is sorted. We are in with the St. Pauli fans behind the goal.
HH
HT
When did you live in Temple?
I lived in Shafton Rd. Thought I had been in your company before, when I met you.
<pog=Pog
yorkbhoy
What about highland cattle?? He’d make shorter work of one of them. :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
What the camera didn’t show
Bada Bing
“No English duds in your team?”
I don’t think any of them were spectacularly bad or infamous. They were just bland and uninteresting, like Iran or S. Korea.
Why are they still talking about Engurland, they’re history..pish team got exactly what they deserved..
bournesouprecipe
Sorry – I meant ‘a postmodern didactic monstrosity of faux-Liverpudlian sympathy and soldiarity.’
I miss the old CQN with the blotting pad.
Awe_naw, a bit of cheek here! Any chance of getting a second ticket?
Watching this World Cup on Rai 1 TV station from Italy.Priceless.A total rip off from “The Fast Show”.Cheesy hosts,dancing girls,bands marching on and off,even showing the weather in Brazil with the “Scorchio”weather girl..Half time in the France game and the whole lot,pundits as well all up doing the Lambada.WTF.
Priceless,this show.
Pog,
I will ask. No probs I get back to you at the weekend
HH
up_over @ 20.11
Meant to say good post :-)
Sftb,
Decent team. I’d have Gerrard as one of your duds. Fantastic player at his peak but dross in this tourney imo.
I’d squeeze in the Bosnian number 8 Pjanic(sp) somewhere.
Gerard piques partner is showing him up tonight. Great goals for the Swiss.
DD
I lived in Succoth St last row of tenements after the shops.
We used to drink in the pub up the wee dead end street (can’t remember the name) but were in it the night the English fans rioted in Dublin. We were told not to come back :-)
Barring a total collapse in the 2nd half conceding at least 3 times France will go through. But 2nd place is still finely balanced. Before kick off Switzerland and Ecuador were both on 3 points but Ecuador were 2 goals better off. If they were both to win their games Switzerland have to beat Ecuador’s performance by 2 or more goals – so if Ecuador win by 1 the Swiss would need to win by 3.
As it stands Switzerland go through. If Ecuador score they’ll be 2nd until such times as Switzerland go 3 up…
Of course Honduras could still qualify. All they need to do is (a) throw on Izzy, (b) score at least 3 times and (c) hope France score a few against Ecuador. 4-2 for Honduras and 2-0 for France would see Izzy into the last 16.
realistically, the 2nd half is all about comparing Switzerland’s 2nd half performance with Ecuadors. If Switzerland match Ecuador for the 2nd half, they go through.
Well that all passed the half time break….
neversayneverCSC
No Jobo in the second half – pressing issues.
Shearer spouting ‘we don’t go down….we’re too honest’ pash…
HH jamesgang
pogmathonyahun,
Your aff yer nut :))
HT
Knew it! Met you in The Lindin in the Celtic end. :))
Awe_naw, much appreciated. :-)
Weefra
I wouldn’t trust him with the horns…
HT’s yo of catches up on him!
Live. On CQN.
Class!
HH jamesgang
jamesgang
This Alan Shearer?
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C8fMbxLTpps
Youth even
Coward’s challenge fae Valencia
DD
Quite possibly mate we were in there a good few times too!!
Long Wait
That’ll be the one. Then encourages NFL to be ‘too honest’ and get back up. Me no likey…
HH jamesgang
What the world doesn’t need anymore of:
Wars.
Murders.
A new Manic Street Preachers album. The Welsh windbags should give up.
A new film from dreary ken Loach.
Efe and Samaras march on.
Goodnight everybody.
Jamesgang
I merely complained about the colour of the scented blue urinal blocks!!!
Yorkbhoy
Wi they nashers, he widnae see horns in his road. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Bandage put him off.
Awe Naw
Would you have preferred Celtic end tickets for the St Pauli game?
Rolling ads pitch side of freeing ‘quality meat’
Surely not yet another Neymar gig. Suarez has this one covered me thinks….
HH jamesgang
HT…Lot 27.