Football has been tribal and jingoistic for over a century. Where it succeed in penetrating beyond the scope of a mere sport, it is inherently primitive. This can be a healthy way for people to remain in contact with all that is important in life but it’s often not.
Writing in today’s Sun, former Celtic player (good grief) , Ian ‘Wrighty’ Wright said: “The next young player who says he does not want to play for England should be ordered to ring the parents of a soldier who has died serving his country in Afghanistan and tell them his reasons”.
To invoke the memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in order to rebuke reluctant footballers is beyond primitive, it is debased and ugly. Bereaved parents would surely be sickened at attempts to equate their sacrifice with a football game. Football and our media have lost their way. Wright should be ashamed, but he won’t be, it’s nonsense like this which newspapers pay for. His media value will have increased.
Harry Redknapp’s ill-made comments about Spurs players not wanting to travel for England games are also a nonsense. There’s not a top-flgiht manager in the game who’s yet to experience players reluctant to fly to Tbilisi, or some other distant destination, for a friendly instead of resting at home with his family. If you are a top pro, these games hold little excitement or value and come at a fitness cost, to pretend otherwise is being duplicitous.
Players with imposing club demands can see these games far enough. Those involved in European football often have two games per week for months, depleting resources and adding strains to muscles. A flight to the back of beyond before a thankless task of a game is simply not an attractive offer. Most players go, but let’s be honest, almost all will choose times to back out occasionally.
England are hurting after an awful World Cup but it will be counter-productive to hand the stage over to jingoistic lunatics. And ‘Wrighty’, if anyone asks you to pull the Paradise Windfall one day, don’t feel obliged to pitch up.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his book, All the Best.
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sipsini
Maybees, I was clutching at straws!
Flicking back and forward between both games now.
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No problem you never indicated that you were flipping between channels
leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon
So as it stand Sammis team are through but a goal for Japan puts them out ?
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Yep.
Come on Japan
the_huddle.
HaHaHa, liked that one. Enjoy the game.
The Ivoire Coasters need to show more bite.
HH!!
So will Saurez come back in the next round for another course?
Got to be a big ban, surely. Third offence?
2-1 Columbia
Suarez, is a racist pig and an animal. Fifa should order his teeth be removed after his tongue removal has healed.
C,mon the greeks.
Cue stunning woman celebrating in the crowd :o)
the huddle
wisnae Shakira by any chance?
That actually looked like Asian woman in Columbia tops and short shorts, stunning :o)
Efe v Messi tomorrow.
HH!!
I assume they just given up on the drop ball.
Japan in the corner (Columbia) Columbia down injured ref blows Columbia gets a free-kick in the corner
Btw it’s Colombia.
HH!!
Ouch elbow in the Japan face
Yeah I know but my spell check keeps it that way can’t bothered changing it :o)
Cmon the Greeks. Just returned from hols there and nicer people I’ve never met.
Columbia is the US place also Oasis’ record label I think
Needed Naka at that FK
Carbonero a half time sub for Colombia Suarez a half time sub for Japan :o)
a ceiler gonof rust
22:14 on 24 June, 2014 Suarez, is a racist pig and an animal. Fifa should order his teeth be removed after his tongue removal has healed.C,mon the greeks
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What about Carl Froch to remove them..?
the_huddle,
There was a Columbia motor company years ago. ;))
The pitch looks like Fir Parks of old, looks fine from up above up close it’s just mud
The english commentators are such glory monkeys.
They have championed Ivory Coast and you get the feeling they want them to win.
Last 5 mins though they have slightly changed their perspective and are now bigging up the greeks will to win.
Glory monkeys
Doc
22:14
Why aren’t we using the previous disciplinary records of other players to determine their fate? Rules were put in place prior to the tournament starting eg 2 yellow 1 game ban, red miss next game etc. Violent conduct 3 ban games max. Can you explaine why this offense isn’t covered by exsisting rules?
1-1 Ivory Coast score
Game on 1-1.
sipsini
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That’ll be why it’s saved in my spell checker ;o)
Cue the change in perspective again. Ivory Coast score
eddieinkirkmichael
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I’d think he’d get a 1-3 match ban for violent conduct (like a headbutt, punch etc) but he’ll also get extra based on what he did and having previous. The initial football ban will be separate to the “bite” ban.
Japan need Honda to step it up a couple of gears.
EddieinKirkmichael
Probably because they don’t expect players to be biting each other.
Song got a 3 for a pathetic elbow
ACGR—–
You going to the pool tourney?
Looks like its going to be an 89th minute mazy run and finish from Georgious to win this game..
The comfortable collective, either that or a sitter or shooting when he should have passed
3-1 Columbia :o)
mullet and co 2
Most likely all of the above.
There’s the hotties