The Lead
With Harry Redknapp’s trial not yet finished, Fabio Capello’s situation with England at a quiet detente (although the Mirror is going all out on this story), and papers reluctant to report on the only thing we really care about—the Anfield Cat of course (see special section below)—all they have left is a possible talking point from the dour 0-0 draw between Liverpool and Tottenham last night at Anfield.
That came when Luis Suarez, having been on the pitch for approximately four minutes, kicked Scott Parker in the stomach. It was a bad thing to do, yes, but more careless than deliberately aggressive (although with Suarez, one never knows). And so Parker writhed around, and Suarez got his yellow. Had the story ended there, it could have provided a bit of lunch meat for an op-ed sandwich.
But then Wayne Rooney, whom Mourinho may have called a voyeur, took to Twitter to talk about how it should have been a red card, which apparently makes it “news.” This follows a similar pattern. A player takes to Twitter, like Joey Barton offering his unsolicited opinion on John Terry’s guilt in the Anton Ferdinand case. After which media coverage, by telling us what we already know in official “news-speak,” ossifies the event, transforming an ephemeral 140-character utterance into a matter of public record.
You can understand the need to provide filler in a fairly slow soccer news day, but there will come a time when the public realizes they no longer need to rely on newspapers to report on Tweets available to anyone with an Internet connection, and that they can think for themselves, the “public record” be damned.
Canada
The Vancouver Whitecaps draw the Seattle Sounders in a “feisty” pre-season friendly.
Former TFC academy product Keven Aleman goes back to Spain to play for the Vallodolid youth team.
Paul James on Soccer ep. 41.
Canada’s June friendly against the USA will air on NBC (via Waking the Red).
England
Jury’s literally out on Harry Redknapp’s tax fraud trial.
FA chief David Bernstein to confront Fabio Capello on Terry captaincy. Paul Hayward believes the money the FA paid Capello should have bought the Italian manager’s undying loyalty.
John Terry won’t quit England.
Kenny Dalglish says the Suarez ban was “wrong” to begin with.
Shanghai Shenhua in talks with Stoke’s Matthew Upson.
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal won’t pay £30 million for Eden Hazard.
Demba Ba staying put.
Turmoil with McLeish at Villa.
Italy
Cesare Prandelli keeps his Italy selection options open. Wide open.
Massimo Moratti says Inter players must “fight to the death.”
Donadoni wants Parma to emulate Ajax youth program.
Germany
Dortmund are back on top the Bundesliga, and they plan to stay there for a while.
Whether Lewandowski will be with them in the future though is uncertain.
Hertha Berlin meanwhile continue their free-fall.
Spain
Barca were initially unconvinced Lionel Messi could make it as a pro.
A look at La Liga’s second tier with Andy Brassell.
A look at the Tuesday papers in Spain.
Anfield Catstravaganza
The Telegraph.
The Daily Mail.
The Guardian.
The Mirror.
Bits and bobs
Renewed loan interest from Corinthians for Carlos Tevez?
Report to show Europe rife with match-fixing.
Argentina to rename top flight in honour of ship sunk in Falklands War.
Jonathan Wilson on Keita’s emotional win with Mali in ACN.
And that, give or take, is the story so far…
At least Barton plays for the same team as Ferdinand, and has somewhat of a right to state his opinion on the subject. Rooney’s been doing this pretty often as of late, and it’s nothing less than comical coming from a hothead who once stomped on a guy’s balls like he was putting out a smoke.
Suarez’s kick on Parker did look like it could definitely been intentional. Leading up to it Suarez had to move around Parker to get into position and just before he kicks it looks like he takes a quick look at him. Suarez is a scumbag and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was intentional. But we will never know…
It’s alright because in Uruguay a kick to the midsection is a gesture of friendship.
Havin it not???? Barton is a bigger douche then suarez…
Or Rooney is the biggest douche between the 3 of them….
Roon wins. He keeps blabbing on about stuff happening in games not featuring his team. Shut your yap boy.
I agree, Rooney wins, but the competition is getting tight with those other 2
You said ‘ossifies’ when talking about a bunch of bone heads. ISWYDT
http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/demotivational-posters-i-see-what-you-did-there.jpg
well played
Watched the video of Suarez’s kick several times and I have to say, it looks intentional to me. I can see how it looks clumsy to some, especially Liverpool fans, but if you take a closer look, you can see Suarez is looking at Parker while he takes his leg up.
I expect nothing less from him. From the cheating in the 2010 WC, to the biting at Ajax, to the racist comments…there really is nothing this guy can do that will surprise me anymore. Except maybe apologize and admit he’s wrong. We all know that won’t ever happen.
Of course it looks intentional to you as you are clearly bias and don’t like him. To me it looks like Parker’s stomach tried to eat his foot.
Where were Rooney’s and Gary’s comments in the first game Scholes came back in, he kicked a guy in the stomach and didn’t even get a yellow. He pretty much did the same thing last game as well. Very blinkered. Not debating a yellow for Suarez, fine with the call, just the pick and choose nature of others comments.