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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So that’s Italy joining Spain and England at the airport. Going to get busy in the departure lounge for flights back to Europe.
Could by Uruguay v Columbia in the next round …
Has the Pope tweeted yet?
Shocking stuff from Suarez again though.
marrakesh express
Can’t recall the Italian national side getting too many favours , club sides maybe.
They will moan and groan but are very philosophical about these things, what goes around comes around.
I don’t think FIFA will ban Suarez.
They’ll probably just wait until midnight, creep up to his coffin and put a stake through his heart.
Gordon j,
It provably will and from what I’ve seen Columbia will pump a Uruguay minus Suarez.
Glad to see Costa Rica gettin thru. Would’ve preferred the Italians to Uruguay as I still think they’re the better footballin team – but they fannied about and got what they deserved because of that.
Dont think any of them can moan about cheatin
Utter thuggery by Suarez.This guy beyond belief.
Fantastic player resorting to this repeatedly.Shocking.
England lose at cricket now , second last ball , cruel but funny
Suarez is a seriously flawed individual
Suarez a joy to watch football wise, if he’s allowed to continue playing in the World Cup…he should be muzzled.
Suarez is like many footballers and enjoys having an Italian meal. Unfortunately, he has it not after but during the game.
The lady in the shop at the airport says new strip is heading for one of the best sellers. Plus wee rumour that the other shop next door might be shutting soon as there deal is up soon!!!!!
OnlysayinglikeCSC
Love watching Suarez – take sme right back to my Sunday League adventures in the 90s. Although I once got bitten on the back of the neck awaiting a corner in darkest Ayrshire.
Suarez only made the shoulder; got a bit to learn these Uruguayans.
Fitba pumped
Cricket pumped
Rugby pumped
Best UK player at Wimbeldon is a Scot
Oh dear !!!
If Suarez kicks another ball in this WC it will be another
nail in the coffin of beautiful game.
Sandman
Tetanus jag ??
What an absolute load of crap that ‘game’ was. About as far removed from football as possible. I was actually quite looking forward to that game, naive as that probably was!
Both teams just attempted to cheat their way to the next round, where I doubt they would attempt to do anything else in the round after that.
I was hoping for Uruguay before the game, and as much as disliked their play, I certainly didn’t start cheering for Italy instead!
As the game wore on, I decided I didn’t really care who went through, and regardless if Uruguay held on, or Italy got the equaliser, if I were FIFA, I would send both of them home, and tell them not to bother coming back in 4 years time either…….
I would rather their places went to ‘smaller’ nations, who would at least try to play football and maybe even know how to act while the world is watching. Both teams were a disgrace in my opinion.
I would sign Junior Diaz of Costa Rica as cover for Izzy right now! Only played 2 games last year for Mainz.
Mr Z – he won the league with Wisla 3 times. Any good?
Sneddoni
Unlike Suarez I won’t bite.
Anyone see Gordon Strachan on ITV the other night explaining WHY the likes of Suarez/Uruguay ’86 do what they do?
Perfect insight, comprehension, if not approval.
Pundits, players and Woy seem happy with that …thought they were crap
Suarez runs interference for the English press ….he’ll be the story over the next few days
“Best league in the world”………..
What substance is Gerrard abusing………..???
“We have to get the balance right of still having the best league in the world but expanding the pool of players for this England manager and the England managers in the future”
borgo67.
Well done you. :))))
….PFayr supports WeeOscar
19:16 on 24 June, 2014
Sandman
Tetanus jag ??
=========================
Full rabies vaccination; Tarbolton.
Borgo67
I like the Italians for many reasons but from a football perspective they had a hold on uefa from the 60s through to the 80s. (See Brian Glanville). Yes, at club level.
Internationally, I give you their brutal treatment of Diego Maradona in 82.
Thank you for all the kind wishes for ma wee mammy. They cheered and perked her up today. :)
Delaneys Dunky – all the best to you Mammy and her recovery
Ole Liverpool falling apart at the WC
None of their players impressed and Suarez should be banned for ever
Not wanting to blank anyone but have to go out after this and just wanted to post a quick comment re Paul’s article on Ian Wright.
Considering his wife was robbed in the family home at knifepoint whilst the kids were asleep upstairs and he had to cut short his World Cup gig and fly straight home to sort the aftermath, well lets just say most of us wouldn’t be thinking with a clear head after such an incident and certainly I wouldn’t like to be held accountable for any of my opinions so shortly after such a horrible thing happening.
Yes it was a stupid thing to say but considering the circumstances and with him being an ex Celt I’d give him the benefit of the doubt. That’s me ‘aff oot’ so wont be responding to any disagreeable comments (or even agreeable ones!)
Suarez is a complete mink. Awesome player, but what a mink. Horrible little scrote but clearly very very competitive. Must also have some screw loose to lose plot of where he was with all Cameras etc. he did how ever put the English out out out
DD glad to hear that :)
Maybe the zombies could put this to good use, it would come in handy for their annual BBQ
http://i60.tinypic.com/6q9wyb.jpg
Italy oot.
Fair enough.
But spare me the ‘serves them right, they’re nothing but a shower of cheats’ shite!
Away to pour a large gin.
HH!!
jinkynewton
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That’s ok then as long as the English are out.
Rock Tree Bhoy
—
I doubt Wright even wrote the article, be the usual here’s a few quid we’ll stick your name on it
Tallybhoy
Unlucky
Just remember when you beat England you were one of the best teams in the world :-))
Remember tomorrow is recycling day.
How low has English national side stooped?
Their sides of 66, 70(best), 82 86 and 90 were far superior to this lot. Or is it the case that the rest of the world is learning the modern game better? England definitely suffer from complacency, among other faults.