Clubs must show red card to those who shame game From todays Sunday Independent Sunday January 04 2009 IN what should have been his hour of glory last weekend after scoring two goals in a comfortable win over Newcastle, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard became the latest over-paid, egotistical footballer to bring shame on the so-called beautiful game with his less than edifying off-the-field antics. He was out with friends celebrating in the Lounge Inn in the posh enclave of Southport on Merseyside. All seemed well as he posed for photos and signed autographs, but he ended up spending the night in the slammer. Gerrard supposedly asked Marcys McGee, a friend of the restaurant's owner and resident DJ, if he could borrow a swipe card which staff must use to operate the music system behind the bar. McGee refused. A violent and disgusting disagreement ensued. McGee, a 34-year-old father of two and Manchester United fan, allegedly lost a tooth and needed four stitches to a head wound. He also suffered cuts to his face and a swollen eye in an attack in which Gerrard took part. He, however, claims he was not the main aggressor and was, in part, defending himself. The 28-year-old England international was arrested at 2.30am on Monday morning. He was charged with assault and affray the following day and is due in court in two-and-half weeks' time. If found guilty, he could, and should, face a prison sentence. It's more likely, however, that's he'll face community service. At the very least, one hopes it's demeaning and lengthy. OK, so football has never really been associated with model sportsmanship, but over the last decade, the profession has been constantly marred by hedonistic scandals including alleged rape and anti-social behaviour. Footballers should be the sole reserve of back-page news, yet nowadays, footballers make for as much, if not more, sleazy tabloid fodder than Hollywood celebrities. But why is it that football, more than any other professional sport, breeds this kind of alcohol-fuelled debauchery? Footballers, by and large, come from working class backgrounds. Growing up, their sole focus and attention is on football, rather than education. Make it professionally and these young men are plied with disturbing amounts of money, often receiving seven-figured salaries before they turn 20. They are cast into the media spotlight, and become the focus of intense intrigue and attention -- when the pitfalls are much deeper. I'm not suggesting that all footballers should be abstemious, pious, church-going models of society. They do, however, need to remember that their responsibilities don't end as soon as they walk off the field of play. Gerrard is hero-worshipped by tens of thousands of young, impressionable children who mimic his actions, and so he has a duty to uphold some level of decency on and off the pitch. Don't be surprised if countless teenagers up and down Britain suddenly are arrested for replicating Gerrard's alleged violent actions in the coming weeks. But the Liverpool captain is just the latest of many Premiership footballers who have, over the years, shown that they've too much time, too much money, too much testosterone and too big an ego. There is, without doubt, a meaty book to be penned about prima donna footballers and their extra-curricular activities. Here's just a little taster: While at Manchester City, Joey Barton burnt a fellow player's eyelid with a cigar butt at the team's Christmas party. Jonathan Woodgate was convicted of affray and sentenced to 100 hours of community service following his involvement in a savage attack on a 20-year-old Asian student -- which saw the victim receive a broken nose, broken cheekbone, fractured leg, a 12-tooth bite-mark and spend eight days in hospital. Rio Ferdinand was banned from driving on several occasions, has been convicted of drink-driving and was the subject of a massive scandal after he missed a routine drug test. Goalkeeper Mark Bosnich failed a drugs test and later admitted to a £3,000-a-week cocaine habit. Paul Gascoigne was accused of domestic abuse, among many other things. Stan Collymore too was accused of striking his then-girlfriend Ulrika Jonsson and also admitted to having a penchant for 'dogging' (having sex with strangers in public places). Jermaine Pennant played for Birmingham while wearing an electronic tag, following a drink-driving conviction -- something he earned while he driving serving a 16-month driving ban. Upon being arrested, Pennant initially told police he was Ashley Cole. Then there's Dwight Yorke, who secretly filmed a boozy sex romp involving himself, Mark Bosnich and four women. I could keep going, but I sense you get the picture. What I found most offensive about the recent incident involving Stevie G was Liverpool Football Club's reaction to the allegations. Too often big clubs run to the rescue of their prized bull and to hell with the consequences. In a statement, LFC referred to him as an "outstanding servant", and said that they would support him in every way possible. Nobody would dare dispute Gerrard's incredible talent, but what has that got to do with the fact that he has been accused of assault causing bodily harm? Yes, innocent until proven guilty and all that, but later this month, if Gerrard is found guilty, the club and its manager should take the appropriate disciplinary action. He should be stripped of the captaincy, because it's hardly the behaviour of a leader. He should be suspended from the game for a considerable period and docked a few months' wages. As long as football clubs continue to cosset rather than punish players, shameful instances involving people like Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate et al, who might otherwise go to jail for what they did, will continue to happen and footballers will continue to act above the law. This is just pure bo!!ox. They must have had this column pre-written and stored it for the next footballer to get arrested. How can Gerrard be called egotistical?? He seems to be more down to earth than most.
As long as Gerrard keeps turning in the performances for Liverpool I think the fans will support him. Its critical that the court date etc doesnt upset the momentum of the season or indeed distract the squad
Hi I've a pain in my ar$e with these people saying he shold be stripped of the captain's armband, he should be suspended, kicked of the England national team blah blah blah ... To date, he's been convinced of Nothing & until he is (if he ever is convicted), it's innocent until proven guilty end of story .... Support Stevie G, on & off the pitch lads.
UEFA Top 10 Champions League Group Stages goals There were 247 goals scored in the group stages of this years Champions League. That memorable goal from Stevie G was in the Uefa top 10 Olympique de Marseille v Liverpool FC, Matchday 1 The Liverpool captain has a prolific record in Europe's premier club competition and added another special strike to his continental collection when he angled a shot over home goalkeeper Steve Mandanda that dipped so viciously it almost looked like a mis-hit. He added a second six minutes later to secure his side an opening-day victory.
Absolute PUKE journalism, how they can get away with writing such bull is beyond me. Strangely enough I have googled this a few times and there is no name to the article..........top journalism. I have been searching on the independent website for an email address to email them, im a little too busy to write a full letter to the letters page.
Anyone read the sunday times. Rod Liddle's article. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/rod_liddle/article5439826.ece
Taken from .tv Fernando Torres has revealed his delight at scoring his first ever FA Cup goal and quickly dedicated the strike to skipper Steven Gerrard. The Spanish hot-shot was keen to pay tribute to the professionalism of the Reds number eight after he provided the assist for Torres to put the seal on the third round victory over Preston with an injury-time effort. "I was pleased to score for the team and for the fans because it guaranteed the result and took us into the next round," said Torres. "I might have scored the goal but it was created by Stevie and I would like to dedicate my goal to him. "He is our captain and he is also a great guy and he has helped me ever since I came to the club and moved to this area. "Everyone at Liverpool is behind him." Torres made his first appearance for the Reds since their Champions League win over Marseille in late November when he replaced Robbie Keane after 73 minutes of the clash at Deepdale. He admits it was a frustrating to be sidelined with a hamstring injury for so long but praised the support of both his teammates and the fans for helping him through it. "I am very pleased to be back in the team," he added. "I have been very frustrated at not being able to play but the lads have been in great form and the results they have achieved have kept my spirits up. "The relationship I have with the fans is special. I know that. "When I was injured to hear them still singing their song was special. I could hear it on the TV when I was at home. It's fantastic."
reading that, woodgate was really lucky. gerrard's "victim" had a bit of swelling above the eye, no more.
BBC Website Coleen's brother held over attack The brother of Coleen Rooney has been arrested over an attack in a bar which saw Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard charged with assault. A spokesman for Mrs Rooney, who married Wayne Rooney last year, confirmed Anthony McLoughlin, 19, was held over a disturbance at Lounge Inn in Southport. A man, 34, suffered facial injuries in the bar on 29 December. Gerrard and two others have been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. Mrs Rooney's spokesman said: "All we can say is to confirm he was arrested and confirm he was released without charge. "There will be no other comment from Coleen, Wayne or Coleen's family." Merseyside Police said Mr McLoughlin was released pending further inquiries. Gerrard, 28, of Formby, Merseyside, is due to appear at North Sefton Magistrates' Court in Southport on 23 January along with John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19, both from Huyton, Liverpool.
A manc colleague of mine was telling me that apparently Mr Ferguson wrote to the FA requesting that Gerrard be given the same treatment as other players who have been in trouble with the law. Anyone else hear this? (Apologies if it was discussed earlier I haven't read the entire thread.) He said it happened before Rafa's press conference.