World Football Strange but True: Roy the Redeemer Statue Towers over Dover

Well, this is one way to psych out your opponents.

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power this week unveiled a 100-foot structure along the white cliffs of Dover in the south of England.

The structure bears the likeness of England boss Roy Hodgson and goes by the cheeky name of "Roy the Redeemer."

Why cheeky? Surely, you've seen its namesake: Rio de Janeiro's famous Christ the Redeemer statue.

Roy the Redeemer, however, has no religious function, unless you want to compare the devotion of English fans to that of a devout Catholic (hey, why not?).

No, this statue is clearly for intimidation purposes. A Paddy Power press release claims that Roy the Redeemer can be seen from France.

Click here to see for yourself. This thing is huge.

So, how was Roy the Redeemer constructed? Glad you asked.

According to the press release, engineers labored for two months to make the giant Roy and another week to set him up near St. Margaret's Bay.

The structure is 100 feet tall and stands on an eight-foot rostrum. It has a wingspan of 96 feet and weighs eight tons.

Paddy Power's Ken Robertson later explains that the hope is for England to graft onto the good vibes surrounding Brazilian football.

"

Since Christ the Redeemer was constructed in Rio de Janeiro in 1931, Brazil has gone on to become the world’s leading footballing nation.  We’re hoping some of that success can rub off on England in time for their Euro 2012 opener against France on Monday. Anyway, at the end of the day this is definitely the closest Roy will get to Rio this month!

"

Indeed, sir.

Perhaps the whole Riogate controversy was just a publicity stunt, then?

Oh, and one more thing: Paddy Power will refund your losing bet on England's tournament opener—if England win.

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