Protest: Kim Jong-Il Style
In a strange case of life imitating art, or in this case football imitating politics, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea women’s football team pulled a move on the football pitch that only Kim Jong-Il would have been proud of. During an international friendly in Australia against the Matildas, the Australian women’s national team, the North Korean women walked off the pitch in protest over a controversial decision by the referee to award a penalty kick to their opponents. Television replays reportedly showed the call to be incorrect. In a display of defiance, the North Koreans were instructed by their coaching staff to walk. Can you believe that all this posturing was for a meaningless game? Nevertheless, after several minutes, sanity prevailed and play resumed. Australia won 3-2.
Easy Way Out
In one of the more bizarre events of the week, Sir Alex of Manchester took umbrage with Wayne Rooney playing a significant portion of the England vs. Egypt friendly at Wembley. The player came into the encounter with a minor knee injury following United’s triumph in the Carling Cup at Wembley the previous week. The Scotsman stated that he didn’t start Wayne in that game because the Wembley pitch was in poor condition. One would think that United’s manager would have ripped his England counterpart a new one for playing Wayne under such circumstances. Instead, he took a swipe at his top scorer for not ruling himself ineligible. And here I am thinking that players are supposed to follow their manager’s instructions. That’s what Wayne did. I never thought I would see the day when Fergie would shy away from a fight with another manager. I guess the hair dryer treatment is reserved for anyone not named Capello.
How Bill Gates Helped Lars Get The Job
According to a Forbes Magazine interview with the agent of newly appointed Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback, his client got the job because of his skillful use of Microsoft software. According to Greg Keenan, head of Aspire Management, Lars’ PowerPoint presentation “was widely perceived as an integral factor in his appointment.” So take that Clive Longbottom-Fellow. Who needs local knowledge and genuine concern about the development of Nigerian football in order to land a job as a national team coach? Besides, Lars read background papers on African and Nigerian football and he touched base with other Aspire clients with first-hand knowledge of the nuances of African football. How else would one go about winning a contest to get paid millions for approximately five months of work?
Football Chants outside Parliament
Controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders’ anti-Islamic film, Fitna, sparked protests outside the British House of Lords. The controversial film has caused an uproar in the Islamic World (and elsewhere) since its 2008 release for its sectarian views. In a show of support for the MP, some members of the English Defense League marched past the House of Parliament chanting football songs and waving the cross of St. George. In typical football fashion, this event was not without opposition. Protesters were present requiring the police to keep the two groups apart. Who knew football was the new medium for voicing socio-political discord?
Fútbol en La Clausura
Independiente made quick work of River Plate in the clásico at the Libertadores de America stadium providing another sign of how far the mighty have fallen. Were it not for the incessant singing and stomping in the stands, this game would have been a snoozer. Dario Gandin and Andres Silvera both scored in the 2-0 win. River Plate reside in the lower half of the Clausura, while Independiente now top the league.
