David Beckham, Andy Gray and This Week in World Football Scandals
David Beckham and Andy Gray are easily the biggest names in this week's world football scandals. With the reasoning behind Beckham's failed move to Tottenham revealed, and the previously shamed analyst finding himself a new job, it's been a wild week already.
But, with Didier Drogba's comments regarding Chelsea's mindset, Rafa Benitez (shockingly) blaming Inter for his firing and a slew of potshots taken at FIFA from across football, they're far from alone in the headlines. We're bringing you 10 of the most controversy-inducing, scandal-starting, eyebrow-raising stories in the football world this week, and providing you with the kind of analysis you can't get anywhere else.
Let's get to the dirt, shall we?
Didier Drogba Claim Chelsea in a Funk; Are They?
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You can add Didier Drogba's name to the list of people (along with myriad fans at Stamford Bridge) who are concerned about the club's mental state right now.
The Ivorian striker vented to the press earlier this week regarding his team's recent stretch of poor play, which has seen the Blues go 4-5-4 over their last 13 matches and caused them to fall to fourth in the Premiership tables, 10 points back of Manchester United.
Drogba told reporters that despite the fact that the Blues are still alive in the Champions League and FA Cup, the morale of the team is low, particularly given the lack of scoring punch.
But is the veteran goal scorer right? Is Chelsea's mindset all wrong to contend for a Premiership crown?
Given Chelsea's uninspired play in a 1-0 loss to Liverpool this week, it's safe to say that perhaps the Ivorian might be onto something here.
European Clubs Growing Tired of FIFA's Management Style
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The 197 members of the European Club Association voiced their extreme displeasure with FIFA's handling of world football's management earlier this week, as displeasure continues to mount over the future scheduling of international and club-related events.
In particular, the group singled out FIFA's ham-handed attempts to schedule the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after FIFA president Sepp Blatter backtracked from previous statements on Monday, saying the tournament would take place in the summer, rather than the winter dates previously discussed.
The clubs were also unhappy about scheduling Euro 2012 in the same year that the Olympics take place, citing injury concerns and claiming they were never consulted regarding the decision.
While this isn't a serious issue at the moment, it is a situation worth monitoring, as the clubs control the vast majority of the world's top players, and a decision to hold them out of international competition could prove incredibly damaging to the sport.
Rafa Benitez Blasts Inter Following Dismissal
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Former Inter Milan manager Rafa Benitez has lashed out at his former employers, saying the Italian juggernaut didn't give him enough transfer window resources to make the changes they wanted, and failed to properly treat injuries during his tenure with the club.
The five-time defending Serie A champs flopped out of the gate under Benitez, who seems to find his way into controversy wherever he coaches, and currently sit five points back of league leaders AC Milan for a sixth title.
Benitez struggled to find a balance at the Italian club, failing to impress fans or ownership, and was given the axe after less than a season on the job.
While his claims have merit, it's also worth mentioning that the coach met with similar displeasure throughout his tenure at Liverpool. Perhaps, it's not just them, Rafa. Maybe it's you, too.
The Truth Behind Beckham's Loan Block
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When the long-rumored David Beckham loan to Tottenham Hotspur fell through, many around football wondered why the deal wasn't done.
Now, thanks to Los Angeles Galaxy co-owner and partner in Anschultz Entertainment Group Tim Leiweke, we know.
Leiweke vetoed the loan because he and AEG wanted Becks to play the full MLS season with the Galaxy, according to a report on ESPN.com.
Both Spurs and Beckham seemed thrilled by the prospect of the midfielder playing at White Hart Lane, but, in the end, the Galaxy's monetary investment in the aging star proved to be too much to overcome.
While the reasons aren't surprising, this represents another one of the Galaxy's perplexing moves with their superstar. After allowing him to play abroad for two seasons, why not give him a third?
Nicklas Bendtner Opens Mouth, Inserts Foot
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Nicklas Bendtner, the Danish striker currently plying his craft for Arsenal, is unhappy with his station in the Gunners' rotation, according to multiple media outlets.
The 23-year-old has not done much to endear himself to the Gunner faithful during his time with the team, and feels that he could make a major impact if given a chance to play.
While Bendtner has struggled to find playing time, that doesn't mean he's enjoying life on the bench; in fact, he says being a footballer might be the most stressful job out there.
The Dane cited his salary (£50,000 per week), the pressure he's under and the fact that he no longer gets to take skiing holidays as the biggest reasons why it's hard to play football for a living.
The world weeps for you, Nick. Really, somewhere, someone feels bad.
Daniel Alves Says Spain's Racism Not Going Anywhere
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Dani Alves, the Brazilian right fullback currently plying his trade for the Spanish club Barcelona, told a Brazilian newspaper this week that he's subjected to constant racial abuse during matches in Spain, and that he's learned to deal with the insults.
Racism has been a serious problem for Spanish fans, who infamously hurled bananas at African players, most notably former Barca striker Samuel Eto'o, and have long held a reputation as the most racist fans in Europe.
But Alves' claims that the insults and abuse can't be stopped, that it seems to be ingrained in Spanish culture, is a bit unnerving, to say the least.
FIFA has been punishing clubs for fans' behavior, but if the defender is right, perhaps the sport's governing body needs to take more drastic action to punish the fans.
Spurs, West Ham Lob Salvos Over Olympic Stadium
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The battle between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham over the future Olympic Stadium in London has turned ugly this week, after both sides launched serious salvos at their opponents.
Spurs owner Daniel Levy fired first, claiming that the Hammers were engaging in "scaremongering", and telling the press that Tottenham was the only option to take over the stadium once the Olympics came to an end. Spurs' plan was to demolish the facility and build a massive football-only complex on the site.
But, West Ham owner David Sullivan fired back, asking why Levy, and not big-money Spurs backer Joe Lewis, was commenting.
Sullivan also pointed out that his club plans to keep most of the stadium as is, in the hopes of maintaining the Olympic feel of the venue.
"Daniel Levy's sole argument seems to be that, in his opinion, the stadium won't work with West Ham United as the tenants. We beg to differ," Sullivan told ESPN, "What we know won't work is having a north London club having a stadium in the Borough where we have been for over 100 years. It doesn't feel right, as it isn't right. Any right-minded person would agree with us.
"Just imagine if Manchester United wanted to build as new football stadium in Bolton, it would be wrong. The Spurs plan is no different."
This is quickly getting ugly, and if the FA (or the Olympic committee) know what's good for them, they'll pick someone to fill the venue before things fly out of hand.
Palermo Fans Beg Owner Not To Be Crazy
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Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini is a well-documented head case. He's got a nasty habit of running managers out the door, even when successful, and makes brash, insulting statements that make it tough for the club to attract good managers.
With Palermo overachieving this season (they sit fifth in Serie A), the fans have taken it upon themselves to stop Zamparini from blowing it.
So, they wrote a letter to the owner asking him not to be crazy.
“Right in the moment when we should be most united and happy with our performances, not a day goes by in which we don’t read about some friction, row or split between you and the Coach that will inevitably lead to the end of this rapport when the season comes to a close," they said in the letter.
“The results are constructed together with team work. Even from within the heart of the team with Fabrizio Miccoli, Giulio Migliaccio and Javier Pastore, there have been comments warning about this."
“The Coach is working very well, the team is with him, the fans share and respect his ideas, the table and performances speak clearly. Therefore, why should we shoot ourselves in the foot?”
Sadly for the Sicilian club, as any Raiders fan will tell you, once an owner loses his mind, he never comes back.
Andy Gray and Richard Keys Back in the Saddle at Talksports
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Former SkySports analysts Andy Gray and Richard Keys were fired earlier this month after the pair were caught making a sexist rant in regards to female line judge Sian Massey before a game between Liverpool and Wolves.
Now, just two weeks after their firing, the pair have lined up their next gig: hosting a football analysis show on sports radio network TalkSport.
This wasn't the first time these two had been hit with claims of sexism, and, if history tells us anything, it won't be the last.
The question now is: Will it be enough for TalkSport to let them go when it happens?
Sir Dave Richards, Lord Triesman Do Battle in Parliament
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Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards and FA chief Lord Triesman are now engaged in a full-on war of words, after Triesman accused Richards of bullying the 12-man FA Professional Game Board into cowtowing to the Premiership's demands.
Triesman told Parliament's inquiry into football governance that Richards often uses his league's revenue stream and clout to bully the rest of the FA into doing what they want.
But, Richards called the accusations "futile" saying that he has never been a bully, and that he's simply looking out for the Premiership's interests, which is his job.
He also claims that he's trying to help change the sport, a claim Triesman disputes as well.
These investigations are without a doubt a serious issue for the sport moving forward in England, and given the pair's history, you can bet that both Triesman and Richards aren't done sniping yet.
