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| pdf edition | Saturday December 24 2011 Sport
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Sir Alex Ferguson says Luis Suárez ban
was ‘right decision’
United coach indicates Liverpool should accept ban • Kenny
Dalglish concerned about crowd reaction to Suárez Page 2
Chelsea enter negotiations to sign Gary
Cahill from Bolton Wanderers
Blues keen to forestall Tottenham’s interest in centre-half • Cahill
would re-form England partnership with John Terry Page 2
Harlequins’ Will Skinner ruled out of
Saracens match by two-week ban
Skinner given red card towards end of Toulouse win • Flanker will
also miss game against Exeter Page 3
Arsenal to make Roberto Martínez: Gavin Henson back Everton’s David Moyes
decisions on left-back Wigan expect tough in action and Cardiff hopes ‘hurting’ Tim
and Thierry Henry challenge from Blues back in a play-off Cahill sparks return to
loan deals Page 4 Manchester United place Page 6 form Page 7
Page 5
Mark Cavendish fitting Tottenham players Martin O’Neill
new-era winner of BBC Seen and heard Page 6 praise John Terry’s admits: ‘I don’t know
Sports Personality of strength of character Sunderland squad well
Year Page 4 Page 6 enough yet’ Page 8
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007 guardian.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales. No. 908396. Registered office: Number 1 Scott Place, Manchester M3 3GG
Page G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
reasons for it should have been released simultaneously. In
the vacuum, the Liverpool manager fears opposition crowds
Sir Alex Ferguson says Luis Suárez ban will declare open season on Suárez, as was the case at the DW
was ‘right decision’ Stadium on Wednesday.
He said: “I wouldn’t think it is helpful to anybody that it [the
• United coach indicates Liverpool should verdict] is done before we have seen the written documents.
accept ban • Kenny Dalglish concerned If that’s the way they have always done it then we cannot
complain. I wouldn’t know because I have never been involved
about crowd reaction to Suárez
in anything like this before.
Daniel Taylor and Andy Hunter “They [the Football Association] run the game; we don’t,
do we? Whether you agree with it is another matter. In another
Sir Alex Ferguson [http://tinyurl.com/5pnu8q] has broken his
walk of life, they would have walked away and waited until
silence on the Luis Suárez [http://tinyurl.com/ca9fmtv] affair,
they had it ready. But this is what happened. I think where they
describing the Liverpool [http://tinyurl.com/42nq4e] striker’s
have to be more supportive is the reaction from people – and
eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra as “the right
the antagonism of the crowds – towards Luis. That is the great
decision” and indicating that the Anfield club should accept the
problem.”
guilty verdict.
The Liverpool manager believes the fallout from the
Liverpool’s vigorous defence of the Uruguayan, including
complex case will be far-reaching for the FA. “It would be
the controversial decision to warm up for their game at Wigan
helpful to everyone if someone gave us some guidelines about
in Suárez T-shirts [http://tinyurl.com/89y22g2], has led to
what you can and cannot say,” he argued. Yet despite his
widespread criticism throughout the game. Ferguson was not
concerns over the hostility towards Suárez, who is also facing
willing to talk about Liverpool’s protest statement, in which
an improper conduct charge for allegedly making an offensive
they described Evra as “not reliable” and called on the Football
gesture towards Fulham supporters at Craven Cottage on 5
Association to issue a separate charge against the Manchester
December, Dalglish is adamant the 24-year-old can handle the
United [http://tinyurl.com/bjgxtp] defender, but he made clear
scrutiny.
that the Premier League champions felt vindicated.
“Obviously he would be better off without it, but he is a
“Our support of Patrice was obvious right from the word go
strong enough character and he has handled it very well up to
and that’s still the same. The matter is over and I think we’re
now so I wouldn’t expect him to show anything other than total
satisfied that they [the FA’s independent commission] found
strength. If Luis is fit and well, he will be considered for the
the right decision. This wasn’t about Manchester United and
matches until such time that he is under sanction.”
Liverpool at all. It was nothing to do with that. This was an
Ferguson is clearly unimpressed with the lengths to which
individual situation where one person was racially abused.”
Liverpool have gone, including Dalglish’s decision to wear a
Liverpool maintain that was not the case, despite Suárez
Suaárez T-shirt during a television interview on Wednesday. “I
reportedly admitting using the word “negro”, and are now
don’t need to talk about it,” he said, before adding pointedly:
waiting for the commission chairman, Paul Goulding QC, to
“I’m happy with how I run my club.”
deliver his full written findings before deciding whether to
The United manager was asked whether he fears it will
lodge an appeal.
worsen the rivalry between the two clubs. “This is the biggest
That risks an even longer ban and Ferguson drew a parallel
derby game in the country,” he replied. “It’s never needed
with the way United reacted when Evra was banned for four
anything to light the powder keg; it’s always there.”
matches in 2008 for becoming embroiled in a post-match fight
with Sam Bethell, a Chelsea groundsman. The club, he pointed
out, had accepted the verdict.
“Patrice got that suspension for the incident down at Chelsea
Chelsea enter negotiations to sign Gary
when no one was there, just a groundsman and our fitness Cahill from Bolton Wanderers
coach. He got a four-match ban and we had to wait two weeks
for the evidence to come through. We were quite astounded at • Blues keen to forestall Tottenham’s
that. A four-match ban? We thought it was well over the top for
interest in centre-half • Cahill would re-
a trivial incident. But it happened and there’s nothing you can
do about it, you know.”
form England partnership with John Terry
The insinuation was that Liverpool should accept Suárez’s Dominic Fifield
guilt but there is no sign of that from Anfield, with Kenny
Chelsea [http://tinyurl.com/5ybu55] have opened formal talks
Dalglish maintaining he had no regrets over the T-shirt protest
with Bolton Wanderers [http://tinyurl.com/4yhy8q] aimed
and aggressive wording of their statement.
at deflecting long-standing interest from Tottenham Hotspur
“The club have issued a statement and the players have
[http://tinyurl.com/5nwt7b] in Gary Cahill and at securing the
made their statement both visually and verbally,” said Dalglish.
England centre-half for around £7m when the transfer window
“The statement couldn’t have caused anybody any trouble. I
[http://tinyurl.com/3e8qqz] opens.
don’t think the players have caused any trouble with the FA
Cahill will enter the final six months of his contract at the
either with their statement or by their support with the T-shirts.
Reebok Stadium in the new year and Bolton are resigned to the
If we are not in any trouble, we will just leave it at that before
fact that he will not agree new terms to remain at the club.
we do get into any trouble.”
That has left the Premier League strugglers seeking a fee
Dalglish said “it might be weeks” before the commission’s
for his services now in the hope that Owen Coyle will be able
findings are made public and believes the verdict and the
to sign a replacement in the January window, and Chelsea are
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007 guardian.co.uk
Page G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
confident the 26-year-old will reprise at Stamford Bridge the
central defensive partnership with John Terry that has proved
effective for England recently.
Harlequins’ Will Skinner ruled out of
André Villas-Boas confirmed this week that Chelsea were Saracens match by two-week ban
monitoring Cahill’s situation and, with the Brazil international
Alex placed on the transfer list and sidelined, a centre-half has • Skinner given red card towards end of
become a priority in the market. “Regarding Gary Cahill, there Toulouse win • Flanker will also miss game
has been dialogue between ourselves and Chelsea,” Coyle said.
against Exeter
“He is a top player and is [still] fully focused on Bolton. That
doesn’t surprise me. I’ve said from day one I believe Gary Cahill Paul Rees
can play for anybody, I think he has those qualities.
Will Skinner will miss Tuesday’s match at Twickenham
“There is serious interest in Gary, but I’ve got to say we
between the top two clubs in the Premiership [http://tinyurl.
have two huge games before 1 January [against Newcastle and
com/4c7kcz], Harlequins [http://tinyurl.com/4v4goa] and
Wolverhampton Wanderers], before anything could happen.
Saracens, after receiving a two-week ban for his unusual
More than his ability, he’s an outstanding man, and because
dismissal at Toulouse last Sunday.
of the lad he is his focus will be doing the best for his team-
Skinner was on the Harlequins bench in the Heineken Cup
mates, who he’s stood shoulder to shoulder with for years here,
[http://tinyurl.com/dbkg8x] group match having been replaced
and trying to help them get points in these two games. Then
when, with his side leading by seven points with one minute to
whatever January brings, so be it. There’s nothing signed and
go, he stopped the home side from taking a quick lineout. He
sealed at the moment but it’s fair to say there has been dialogue
was shown a red card by the referee, Alain Rolland, for “an act
[with Chelsea]. I’ve got to be up front and tell you, as I always
contrary to good sportsmanship”. Skinner was given a four-
do, and that’s the situation.”
week suspension which was halved due to mitigating factors,
Tottenham were close to securing Cahill on transfer deadline
such as a previous good disciplinary record. He will miss the
day in August but could not agree a fee, a failure that scuppered
encounter with Saracens and the trip to Exeter the following
Sébastien Bassong’s proposed move to Queens Park Rangers.
Saturday.
Arsenal were also linked heavily with the former Aston Villa
“For red card hearings, the onus rests with the player to
defender, though Arsène Wenger confirmed on Friday that he
demonstrate the referee’s decision to issue the red was wrong,”
had adequate cover in central defence and is not looking to
a statement from the tournament organisers, European Rugby
strengthen in that area.
Cup Ltd, said. “The judicial officer found the player had not
Terry, meanwhile, has drawn praise from Tottenham’s
demonstrated that, and he accordingly upheld the red card.”
Emmanuel Adebayor and Ledley King for his strength of
The last time Quins were involved in Heineken Cup
character after he excelled in Thursday’s draw at White Hart
gamesmanship was in 2009 in what turned out to be the
Lane on his first appearance since the Crown Prosecution
Bloodgate affair. The referee that day in the quarter-final against
Service confirmed he has a case to answer over an alleged racist
Leinster, Nigel Owens, has been criticised for using his Twitter
remark directed at Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferdinand.
account to communicate with players. Scott Johnson, Ospreys’
Terry has denied wrongdoing.
director of rugby, has used the word lunacy when condemning
“John Terry showed great personality, great character and
Owens for the way he used the social networking site and went
did very well,” Adebayor said. “You learn to deal with things
on: “The last time we played the Scarlets he apologised to their
through experience. It’s not the first problem he’s had in his
supporters for forward passes. That opens a can of worms and
life, or in his career. He has had a couple of problems already
can have unfair accusations labelled against people.
and he knows how to deal with them.”
“We do not need people in supposed places of power in
Those sentiments were echoed by King, the Tottenham
contact with the players and using social media as a way of
captain and a former England team-mate of Terry’s. “He played
doing that. I do not need it as a coach and we do not need it as a
well, as did the rest of them,” said King. “But he’s a top player.
sport. The people who are allowing this to occur need to take a
He’s got himself in the right position and saved his team at the
good hard look at themselves. This is about the integrity of our
end [after Adebayor’s shot passed Petr Cech]. He’s a strong
sport and it is out of control.”
character and lets his football do the talking out there. It doesn’t
Johnson’s broadside came ahead of the Boxing Day derby
surprise me that, with all that’s happening off the pitch, he’s
between the Scarlets and Ospreys at Parc-y-Scarlets, which
able to put in performances like that.”
will be refereed by Owens. The Ospreys’ Wales second-row Ian
Gough will miss the clash, having been banned for three weeks
for a dangerous tackle on the Saracens hooker Schalk Brits
*
during last Friday’s Heineken Cup group match at the Liberty
Stadium.
Boxing Day will be the start of a busy period in the Aviva
Premiership during which England’s three-man interim
From Beirut to Big Brother, Murdoch to management team will be looking for players who impress
ahead of the elite squad announcement on 11 January. “There
Millionaire,
are some big decisions to be made,” said the forwards coach,
discuss the hot topics in the media on Graham Rowntree. “We have spoken tentatively as a coaching
not one, but two blogs Organ Grinder and team but nothing has been decided or set in stone. Everything
Greenslade is up for grabs and we have to get the selection right.”
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007 guardian.co.uk
Page G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
compatriot to become a distracting sideshow. Only two weeks
ago a statue of Henry was unveiled at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal to make decisions on left-back How would he feel about being a mere squad player?
and Thierry Henry loan deals “The first of January is the vital date for us,” Wenger said.
“We have seven days to make decisions and I will make a
• Arsenal eye cover as Gibbs out for another decision in the next seven days on players. That’s why I have
four weeks • Manager remains coy on Christmas Day off … I have to think about that. Short-term is
ideal for us but I haven’t made any inquiry yet. Thierry is not
possible return for striker
here at the moment. It has never come up in conversation!”
David Hytner That last remark was delivered with a broad grin; it is
inconceivable that neither player nor mentor has raised the
Arsène Wenger [http://tinyurl.com/5kg6f5] will prioritise a loan
notion. But Wenger, characteristically, preferred to focus on
move for a left-back in January, after Kieran Gibbs underwent
Tuesday’s visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers, the first of what
a second groin operation, and the Arsenal [http://tinyurl.
feel like three winnable matches for Arsenal. They face Queens
com/3fh47r] manager also admitted he would decide over the
Park Rangers at home on New Year’s Eve and Fulham away on
next week whether to offer a short-term contract to the club
Monday week.
legend Thierry Henry [http://tinyurl.com/yguqb4k].
“In the Premier League [http://tinyurl.com/6yneax], it is
Gibbs was admitted for the surgery after he suffered a
vital to get your points in the Christmas period,” Wenger said.
setback in his recovery from the original operation – he has not
“We responded well to our defeat at Man City [http://tinyurl.
played since mid-October – and although Wenger claimed the
com/crqo2hs] with a win at Aston Villa [http://tinyurl.com/
youngster would be out for only four weeks, the injuries that he
cmjv4vh]so now it’s down to us to do the job at home. We know
has to defenders elsewhere in the squad will force him to look
we have an opportunity to gain a better position in the table.”
for cover. He wriggled when pressed over Wayne Bridge, the
former England left-back, who is on the fringes at Manchester
City, and he refused to rule out an offer for him.
Wenger was clear that he was looking for a “short-term
Mark Cavendish fitting new-era winner
solution” because in the longer term, when everybody was of BBC Sports Personality of Year
fit, he was happy with his options. But he faces some weeks
yet without his full complement as the left-back André Santos • Unchallenged master of his field sprints
is out until March with ankle ligament damage and, on the
to victory • Darren Clarke and Mo Farah
right, Carl Jenkinson has suffered a setback in his recovery
from a stress fracture to the back and will not return for at least
follow cyclist home
another four weeks, while Bacary Sagna has targeted the end of Barney Ronay at Salford MediaCity
next month for his comeback from a fractured fibula. Sagna has
Mark Cavendish [] has won the BBC [] Sports Personality of
returned to training, although Wenger urged caution as he “saw
the Year award 2011, the Manx sprinter receiving his gong at
him still limping a little bit”.
a lustrous, mob-handed, sweepingly grand ceremony at the
Wenger feels for Gibbs who, after the summer sale of Gaël
BBC’s new MediaCity HQ in Salford Quays. In a sense this was
Clichy to Manchester City, had high hopes of establishing
also a sporting housewarming for the corporation, the first of its
himself as the club’s first-choice left-back and making Fabio
annual awards ceremonies to be staged in this new-build field
Capello’s England squad for Euro 2012. But the Frenchman
of broadcasting dreams, a glass and steel waterside metropolis
predicted that the defender would return stronger and he said it
ranged excitingly behind its sweeping concrete piazza.
was not too late to for him to go to next summer’s finals.
Cavendish is a fitting winner for a new era, the award
“Gibbs is incredibly unlucky,” Wenger said. “But he can
recognition of his outstanding achievements this year, which
still play in the Euros because they are in June and we are in
include including taking the green jersey at the Tour de France
December. Normally, this injury would keep him out for four
and winning the Road World Championships. “I’m absolutely
weeks so there is still a good opportunity. I feel sometimes
speechless,” he said on receiving his prize at the tail end of a
for players between 19 and 20, if they get injured, their body
bravura ceremony. “It’s been such an incredible year for British
adjusts a little to the requested physical level and then they can
sport, that we can produce such champions from such a small
have a long period without injury. Some get through but most
place is incredible.”
of them suffer injuries between 19 and 20.
The award is also, no doubt incidentally, a celebration of
“It builds them up as well, mentally. When you start, you
Cavendish’s exuberant personality: this is not, repeat not, Nigel
think life is easy but then, this kind of injury is very difficult to
Mansell on a bike. Instead Cavendish is an eminently quotable
cope with. The guy who doesn’t play feels useless, especially
champion, spikily eloquent, staunchly nonconformist and
when he is injured. He cannot even fight for his place so it is a
possessed of a former glamour model girlfriend. His victory
difficult period. But it makes him tough.”
here adds another strand to the emergence of British cycling
Henry, now with New York Red Bulls, has been training
[] from minor sport to well-resourced middleweight status.
at Arsenal during the MLS close-season and Wenger has
London 2012, with Cavendish to the fore, could be decisive
considered turning to him as a stop-gap measure as he will lose
moment of elevation for a sport that has for so long lurked
Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations,
energetically on the fringes.
which kicks off on 21 January.
Second place in the public vote went to Darren Clarke, The
Whether the Red Bulls would sanction any loan for Henry
Open champion. Mo Farah, the world 5,000-metre champion
is unclear and Wenger is also conscious of the potential for his
finished third. Earlier in the evening England’s cricketers
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007 guardian.co.uk
Page G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
were worthy winners of team of the year, reward for a sleekly
irresistible first Ashes triumph on Australian soil in 24 years.
Andrew Strauss’s men also provided the evening with a
Roberto Martínez: Wigan expect tough
degree of paparazzi-friendly A-list heft: the shrillest cheers challenge from Manchester United
of the evening on the red carpet outside MediaCity were
reserved for Alastair Cook, emerging swooningly tuxedoed • Boxing Day fixture is ‘as big a test as
from his vast limousine. Andy Flower was named coach of the anyone could get’ • Wigan manager wary of
year and received his award with the usual poker-faced mask
Wayne Rooney’s return to form
of squinting ambiguity, making a slightly frightening speech
about “pressure … hard decisions … performing when you’re up Paul Wilson
against it”.
Roberto Martínez [] has masterminded a mini-recovery at
There was also the superfluity of yet another award for
Wigan over the past few weeks, with back-to-back away wins
Sir Steven Redgrave, former BBC sports personality award
at Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion followed by highly
winner and also (albeit often overlooked) Celebrity Gladiators
creditable home draws against Chelsea and Liverpool, but the
champion 1996. In the event, Redgrave’s lifetime achievement
Wigan Athletic [http://tinyurl.com/6ku5ss] manager does not
gong was one of the high points of the night, handed over by
need reminding that Old Trafford on Boxing Day represents the
pretty much every person he’s ever got into a boat with plus her
toughest challenge of all.
royal sporting eminence Princess Anne. “It’s been a pleasure
No Wigan manager would. The Latics have never taken
to give him one or two awards over the course of time,” the
so much as a point from Manchester United [http://tinyurl.
Princess Royal noted archly, also tipping her coiffured crown
com/bjgxtp] in all their years of trying across their seven
to Redgrave’s apparent influence in helping to secure London
seasons in the Premier League. They have either beaten or held
2012.
every other team in the league but in their last 13 encounters
Receiving his award with a huge klutzy dog-eared bandage
with United, including the 2006 Carling Cup final, a goal tally
on his hand, Redgrave looked a little ragged, and also tearful
of 43 conceded to four scored makes for sorry reading – even
as he mentioned the death of Andy Holmes last year. He did,
to Martínez, who has been in charge only since 2009 but noted
though, remember to thank his wife this time around (she
at Fulham on Wednesday that not only do United appear to be
looked delighted).
returning to their best but Wayne Rooney is running into form.
Beyond that the ceremony itself was a rather overblown
“The next game is about as big a test as anyone could get,”
affair, from the bizarre – and bizarrely stirring – female choir
Martínez said. “What you can guarantee from United is that
singing Coldplay hits, to the sight of nine nominees (plus
they know when to peak. They know how to be strong at the
“unfortunately not able to be here tonight – Andy Murray”)
right moment. December is a month when you see the big
striding on to the gleaming, smoke-wreathed stage. Furiously
players performing so it’s not really a surprise that Wayne is
over-lit, stewarded by a glammed Gary Lineker and played out
hitting form at just the right time. He is a very special player,
in front of the usual jarring all-star miscellany – Rafa Benítez?
one of the most influential individuals any team could have, but
Paula Radcliffe? Stuart Broad? – this was a throbbing statement
it would be a big mistake from our point of view just to focus on
of relevance from the BBC in an era when many of the
him.
sportsmen present on stage have been priced off its screens.
“If we do that, then we risk giving extra space to Nani,
Befitting of its prime time TV slot there was of course also
Berbatov, Giggs and all the other players that can hurt us. But
a compelling subplot to the evening. The furore over the
Wayne is a unique type of player. He can get you a goal from
production of an all-male shortlist had rumbled on right to the
nothing or he can score a goal in a moment when the team is
fringes of the ceremony itself, and in Salford there was a rather
not doing too well, and players like that are invaluable. We have
desperate feminising-over from anyone with a microphone to
to work hard as a team for all our goals and we have not been
hand.
scoring enough but, when you have a player who can score a
“Women have contributed so much to sport this year,” Jake
goal to change a game, it can make a real difference.”
Humphrey announced solemnly, and for the TV viewer the
Martínez is aware that this could be considered a good time
evening was spiced with many a sudden, eager all-female close-
to be playing United, with Nemanja Vidic, Tom Cleverley and
up. Albeit this was undermined slightly by the senior awards
Ashley Young unavailable and Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones
themselves, which saw a total of 20 men being presented with
doubtful, but believes the 5-0 result at Craven Cottage indicated
gongs by six women (plus Sir Bobby Charlton), the likes of Beth
otherwise.
Tweddle and Keri-Anne Payne reduced rather unfortunately
“In my opinion a top team like United are never really
to the status of palm-bearers. The sole female winner was the
weakened by injuries and suspensions, not in normal
golfer Lauren Taylor who won young sports personality of the
circumstances anyway,” he said. “Not in the way that smaller
year.
clubs often can be. United have a Champions League squad
The evening belonged to the main award winner though.
and a great tradition. Whoever represents them is ready to play
Backstage in pencil-slim suit, appealingly dotted with glitter,
at the required level and, even if it is a reserve player who has
and with the BBC trophy suddenly enormous in his dainty
been waiting for his chance, he will be hungry and fresh and
wrists, Cavendish radiated genuine sporting star quality. A
ready for the opportunity.
master of his field, and with a home Olympics looming, there
“When you look at the result at Fulham, even considering
could be plenty more of this to come.
their injuries I think it would be a mistake to underestimate
United. If you ask me, they still deserve to be considered as
favourites for the title. Manchester City have a great chance this
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007 guardian.co.uk
Page G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
season, don’t get me wrong. I think Roberto Mancini has put back of his hand to Cuthbert, who reached out to touch down
together a great team. But United have all the experience and despite the efforts of the Dragons’ full-back, Martyn Thomas.
that could be important.” Halfpenny converted and the Wales full-back, back in his
usual position on the wing, also added a penalty but Jason
Tovey cancelled that out after Laulala shoulder-charged the
Seen and heard young centre Lewis Robling.
The Blues ended the half well on top and were rewarded
Michael Tanner gets personal to research when Bradley Davies crashed over for a score which Halfpenny
improved. The British Lion Jamie Roberts joined the fray for the
book about the Suffragette Derby; Bangor second half but it was his fellow centre Laulala who warmed the
embarrassment as bookies go awol crowd with a brilliant, jinking break.
The racing writer Michael Tanner put in a recent appearance The home fly-half Ceri Sweeney looked lucky to avoid a
on the Yesterday Channel, a satellite television station, when yellow card when he took out his opposite number, Tovey, as he
taking the great-grandson of the jockey Bertie Jones to Epsom chased a hack downfield and the Dragons No10 had to settle for
racecourse during an episode of the ancestry-tracing Find My kicking the resultant penalty.
Past series. Jones was on board Anmer, brought down by Emily After a flurry of infringements Tovey kicked one penalty
Davison in the famous Derby of 1913, and although – unlike from two, while the accurate Halfpenny was successful twice to
Davison – he survived the incident, he remained haunted by it extend the Blues’ lead.
for years afterwards. Tanner was evidently just the right man But it was his running ability which confirmed the result,
for the job as he continues work on his new book The Truth of a magnificent 40-yard gallop allowing him to send Cuthbert
the Suffragette Derby, looking not just at the actions of Davison flying in at the flag. Halfpenny’s conversion rebounded off a
for which the race is most famous, but the controversial post- post but the celebrations were already under way.
race stewards’ inquiry. The book is scheduled to be released
next year to mark the race’s upcoming centenary.
There were red faces at Bangor on Monday when, in an Tottenham players praise John Terry’s
unprecedented situation, no bookmakers turned up to take strength of character
bets in the course enclosure at the track. Instead punters were
forced to make do with the on-course Tote pools, although
• ‘Terry showed great personality’
security staff did allow some to make shuttle runs into the main
enclosure. “We try to offer punters the choice by making sure at
– Emmanuel Adebayor • Chelsea captain
least one bookmaker is there but on this occasion there were so made late saving clearance in 1-1 draw
few punters on a freezing cold day that nobody was prepared to Dominic Fifield
go,” said one of the bookies later.
Tottenham Hotspur [http://tinyurl.com/5nwt7b]’s Emmanuel
Adebayor [http://tinyurl.com/nukshy] and Ledley King have
Gavin Henson back in action and Cardiff expressed admiration for John Terry [http://tinyurl.com/
5k8wjn]’s strength of character after the Chelsea [http://tinyurl.
Blues back in a play-off place com/5ybu55] captain excelled in Thursday’s draw at White
Hart Lane on his first appearance since the Crown Prosecution
Cardiff Blues 28-9 Newport Gwent Dragons Service confirmed he has a case to answer over an alleged racist
Press Association
remark directed at Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferdinand.
Terry was subjected to prolonged abuse from the home
Gavin Henson [http://tinyurl.com/y4g7ws7]’s long-awaited support during the 1-1 draw but, after a shaky start, stamped his
return to rugby saw Cardiff Blues [http://tinyurl.com/5kgo2a] authority on the game and conjured a fine goalline clearance in
move back into the RaboDirect Pro 12 play-off places. But the added time to deny Adebayor a winner. The Chelsea manager,
former Wales international, who has been heavily involved in André Villas-Boas, claimed afterwards that the 31-year-old had
reality television since the peak of his playing career, had only a “grown in terms of performance” since the alleged incident
minor role in his new team’s 28-9 victory. with Ferdinand at Loftus Road on 23 October. Terry, who denies
Leigh Halfpenny, taking over the kicking duties, was their any wrongdoing, will appear at West London magistrates’ court
outstanding performer while his fellow wing, Alex Cuthbert, on 1 February to be formally charged, when a date will be set for
scored two tries. trial.
The Henson factor helped attract 10,660 to Cardiff City The strength of his display was acknowledged by his
Stadium, the highest of Blues’ season, on a freezing night and opponents in the wake of Thursday’s derby. “There are a lot
Henson, in his first appearance in this league for almost three of problems for Chelsea, around players like John Terry, but I
years, was inevitably the early focus of attention. think we are human beings and we all have problems with our
The Dragons soon tested him with a high kick which he family, problems at home, things like that,” said Adebayor,
caught confidently, only to end a cross-field run with a loose who had opened the scoring for Spurs early on. “But when you
pass. pull the shirt on, you just have to manage. It’s difficult in your
Both sides missed penalties before Halfpenny put the ball mind, to be honest, but you have to try and manage and put the
into the corner and paved the way for the opening try. problems behind you and work for your team.
The Blues won the lineout and moved right, where the “You have another 10 players who are there alongside you
centre Casey Laulala drew three men before passing out of the and you have to show them respect by working hard and doing
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007 guardian.co.uk
Page 7 G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
whatever it takes. John Terry showed great personality, great
character and did very well. You learn to deal with things
through experience. It’s not the first problem he’s had in his life
Everton’s David Moyes hopes ‘hurting’
or in his career. He has had a couple of problems already and he Tim Cahill sparks return to form
knows how to deal with them.”
Those sentiments were echoed by King, the Tottenham • Midfielder dropped for Wednesday’s win
captain and a former England team-mate of Terry’s. “He played against Swansea • Australian scored last
well today, as did the rest of them,” said King. “But he’s a top
club goal in December 2010
player. He’s got himself in the right position and saved his team
at the end [after Adebayor’s shot bypassed Petr Cech]. He’s a Andy Hunter
strong character and lets his football do the talking out there. It
David Moyes [http://tinyurl.com/ylsm4vp] has admitted Tim
doesn’t surprise me that, with all that’s happening off the pitch,
Cahill [http://tinyurl.com/395oolj] is “hurting” after being
he’s able to put in performances like that.”
dropped from the Everton [http://tinyurl.com/4gsl6u] team
The draw left Tottenham and Chelsea in third and fourth
but the manager believes the decision was required to spark a
place respectively in the Premier League table, with each
return to form from the Australia international.
retaining hopes that they can mount a coherent title challenge
Cahill has been a permanent fixture at Everton since arriving
in the new year. Chelsea’s Ashley Cole said “five teams still
from Millwall for a bargain £1.5m more than seven years
have a chance”, an acknowledgment of Arsenal’s recent
ago, but he has struggled this season and lost his place for
resurgence, and King admitted that Spurs find themselves in an
Wednesday’s home win against Swansea City [http://tinyurl.
unaccustomed position as challengers.
com/cyvblj9].
“Chelsea have been there before and that counts for a lot,”
The 32-year-old has not scored for Everton for more than
said King. “They know what it takes [to win the league]. I don’t
12 months, his last club goal coming 29 matches ago in the
remember going into Christmas in such a good position and
2-1 win at Manchester City on 20 December 2010, and he was
it’s a bit new to us but we’re enjoying it. We’re going out on the
withdrawn after an hour of a disappointing display in the
pitch and playing our football, confidence is high and we think
previous game against Norwich City [http://tinyurl.com/
we can beat everyone. Maybe the pressure’s off us to just go out
c8qn8qy].
and play and surprise a few people.
“His reaction to being taken off against Norwich wasn’t great
“But we would definitely be disappointed if we didn’t finish
but I’ve got no problem with that,” Moyes said. “He is hurting
in the top four from here. With the squad we’ve got we’re
at the moment but I think what’s happened in recent matches
more than capable of that. I’m confident we can keep going
has refocused him a bit and hopefully we will see the benefit
and produce the results for the remainder of the season. It’s
of that. By his own admission, Tim has not played as well as he
very tight in the top four. Chelsea beat Manchester City [this
should have done and the goals have dried up too, but we will
month] and that was a good result at the time. It’s swings and
help him try to get back to how we know he can be.”
roundabouts. The only thing you can do is take care of your own
Moyes moved Leon Osman into Cahill’s customary position
form but we’ve got the players and the squad to give it a good
against Brendan Rodgers’s team and was vindicated when the
push.”
midfielder headed home the only goal of the game.
Both clubs will assess the fitness of key players over the
He said: “I felt we needed to change things against Swansea.
Christmas weekend before next week’s fixtures. Chelsea are
We’ve played Tim as a centre-forward in a 4-4-2 in the last
without Mikel John Obi, most likely for three weeks, because of
few weeks and we have not scored any goals, so we had to try
a hamstring injury sustained at White Hart Lane, and are braced
something different and went with Louis up top, with Ossie
to be without Branislav Ivanovic against Fulham on Boxing Day
behind him.”
for the same reason.
Cahill began last season in outstanding form and had scored
Villas-Boas is also waiting on an assessment of David Luiz’s
nine goals before leaving to take part in the Asian Cup with
recovery from a knee complaint. The Brazilian has missed
Australia in January. Since his return from the tournament,
the recent draws with Wigan and Spurs but will be needed
however, he has scored only once – for Australia in their friendly
in Monday’s derby, for which his compatriot Ramires is
win over Wales in August – and Moyes conceded the forward
suspended.
needed to realise his place was under threat.
Tottenham lost Younès Kaboul and Rafael van der Vaart to
Moyes said: “I’ve got to say that, even though it’s only been
hamstring trouble, problems that have also afflicted Jermain
a day or two, I’ve been very impressed by his reaction. I think
Defoe and King, leaving Harry Redknapp juggling his resources
he needed it [a jolt] and I think he knows that himself. He has
before Tuesday’s trip to Norwich.
responded well, which is what I would expect from someone of
his type. He is a great type, a great worker.”
*
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Page G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
relegation zone.
“It’s encouraging,” he said. “We badly needed some points
Martin O’Neill admits: ‘I don’t know on the board and we’ve achieved that. We still have a long way
Sunderland squad well enough yet’ to go but we seem to be up for the struggle and that’s all I can
ask for.”
• January transfer window has come too
early for new manager • Northern Irishman
has talked to his players about discipline
Stan Collymore highlights racist abuse
towards Patrice Evra on Twitter
Louise Taylor
Martin O’Neill [http://tinyurl.com/awzjds] wishes the January • Racism in football still major issue,
transfer window could be postponed as he has not yet had
suggests former striker • Social networking
sufficient time fully to assess the Sunderland [http://tinyurl.
com/4h42wu] squad he inherited from Steve Bruce.
site says it will take ‘appropriate action’
“I’ve got no proper idea about people here who haven’t had Giles Richards
a chance in the first team,” said O’Neill, who has impressed
Patrice Evra has been subject to a swath of racist abuse on
his squad by devoting considerable time to holding private
Twitter in the wake of Luis Suárez [http://tinyurl.com/ca9fmtv]
conversations with individual players. “I don’t really know the
receiving an eight-match ban for insulting language that
strengths and weaknesses of my team yet.”
included a reference to Evra’s skin colour.
Although Sunderland’s new manager said he has still to
The level and intensity of the abuse has prompted Stan
discuss any potential January transfer market activity with
Collymore, the TalkSport presenter and former Liverpool and
the club’s owner, Ellis Short, he has been noting the names of
Nottingham Forest striker, to highlight it on his own Twitter
assorted players he is rumoured to be interested in. “We have
page to emphasise that racism remains a big issue in football.
already become linked with some really good, some pretty
“Have a look at my favourites. Tell me Twitter shouldn’t do
average and some pretty abominable ones,” he said. “I just
something,” Collymore tweeted on Friday, followed shortly
want us to be linked with the really good players.”
afterwards with: “Just have one look at my favourites and tell
It is likely that he would place the Fulham striker Bobby
me there isn’t at least something to address. Nobody’s playing
Zamora in the latter category but after two wins from O’Neill’s
any cards, it’s there to read.”
three games in charge the inclination of a manager reputed to
Some of the tweets he has selected confirm the degree of
be pursuing Zamora may be to leave any significant transfer
offence being directed towards Evra on the social media site,
business until the summer.
including highly racist and foul language.
For the moment he is simply happy to be back in
Collymore subsequently received abuse on the site but
management, contemplating Boxing Day’s home game
tweeted that the support he was receiving far outweighed
against Everton. “I’m feeling really pleased to be working this
negative responses, writing: “The lovely comments outstrip the
Christmas,” said O’Neill, who can live without the traditional
bad 100/1.” Last night, Collymore revealed on Twitter that the
festivities. “I’m not a big eater and I don’t like turkey,” he said.
police had contacted him in relation to the abuse but that he
“Or rather I don’t like my wife’s turkey.”
was “deciding what to do for the best”.
The former Aston Villa and Celtic manager’s other dislikes
A spokeswoman for the Association of Chief Police Officers
include players who fall foul of the law. Aware that Titus
said: “If it’s racist abuse, it falls as a type of hate crime. If anyone
Bramble faces a crown court appearance next month on
is being serially harassed, or even stalked on a social networking
allegations of two sexual assaults, which the defender denies,
site or on Twitter they should report that to their local police
and that Lee Cattermole, Sunderland’s captain, and the on-loan
and they can investigate.
striker Nicklas Bendtner were recently arrested on suspicion
“If he feels a victim of being abused or attacked, he would
of causing criminal damage to cars in Newcastle, O’Neill has
go to his local police station and they would pass it on to,
broached the subject of discipline generally with his squad and
potentially, an e-crime unit to look into.”
individually with those concerned.
West Midlands police were swift to act on Friday. When one
“You need discipline and I’ve spoken to the lads about it,”
particularly vile missive was highlighted by Collymore, they
O’Neill said. “I think players respond to discipline. There’s a
tweeted at its author: “Your comments constitute an offence
big disparity between modern-day players and the man in the
under the Public Order Act. We have received a complaint &
street in terms of wages and players have a duty to behave.
advised them how to report it.”
Because of their earnings, modern-era players do have extra
A spokeswoman for Twitter said the company would deal
responsibilities.”
with any such abuse. “This is an important issue that we take
He was encouraged by Cattermole’s sense of on-field
very seriously. If users are breaking any of the Twitter rules,
obligation during the midweek win at Queens Park Rangers.
we will take the appropriate action,” she said. In such cases
“Lee was angry with himself for not tracking a run that led to
the likely action would be permanent suspension of the user’s
one of QPR’s goals,” he said. “He can be pretty hard on himself
account.
but he played well.”
However, Twitter would not reveal how many accounts had
O’Neill, who has virtually abandoned hope of being able to
been suspended for abuse and said it was up to users to contact
recall the Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan from a loan stint with
the police if they believed laws were being broken.
Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates, pronounced himself as
It is very difficult to gauge the volume of cyber offences
“euphoric” following a win which kept Sunderland clear of the
being reported. They are recorded in police statistics as “hate
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007 guardian.co.uk
Page G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
crime” rather than internet or online offences. defence, with Scott Dann, Martin Olsson, Ryan Nelsen and
The Crown Prosecution Service also records crime by Gaël Givet all out. The goalkeeper Paul Robinson is a doubt
type rather than medium but carried out 9,993 successful for Monday’s match, with a tear in his calf muscle, while Givet
prosecutions for racist and religious crime in England and Wales has had a successful heart operation after suffering heart
in 2009-10. palpitations.
The category is by far the largest covered by hate crime Kean called for fans to recognise his problems: “I can
legislation, accounting for just under 88% of successful understand if they’re getting uptight about the position we’re
prosecutions in that year. in. We’re all uptight about it but we feel, with the right ability to
select the squad, [that can improve].
“If five defenders are injured, there’s nothing we can do
Steve Kean reluctant to meet Blackburn about that. We’re praying and hoping they get back as quickly as
fans after ‘vicious’ abuse possible. Givet’s had a very successful heart operation and we
expect him to be back in full training within a week.
“I would hope the fans can see that and understand that if
• Under-fire Blackburn Rovers manager any of those players were fit, they would play. We’re playing
fears for his safety • ‘My phone’s been going players out of position and giving ourselves a bit of a mountain
hot with support from managers’ to climb.
“In the second half against Bolton I felt the players
Press Association
responded very well and, right with the very last header of the
Steve Kean [http://tinyurl.com/3fk45t7] has intimated he game, we were unfortunate Chris Samba couldn’t clip it in.”
would not feel safe meeting fans of Blackburn Rovers [http://
tinyurl.com/5yxbog] after treatment the manager described
as “vicious” during Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat against Bolton Squad sheets: Manchester United v
Wanderers. Wigan Athletic
The situation has been deteriorating throughout the season.
Kean has been a lightning rod for fans’ frustration, not just for
Wigan have taken points off Chelsea and Liverpool in their
his own performance but also for the role of the club’s owners,
last two games but their record against Manchester United
the Indian company Venky’s, and a small group took their
[http://tinyurl.com/bjgxtp] suggests this might be an afternoon
protests to the training ground on Friday.
when Roberto Martínez’s team will be happy just to keep
Kean, asked if he would consider meeting those supporters,
their respectability. The two sides have met only 13 times in
said: “I have to take direction from other people as far as safety
their history, United have won them all and outscored their
and making sure, if we do anything like that, it’s in a proper
opponents 41 to four. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team have 11 goals
environment. At the game the other night it was pretty vicious,
in their last three matches and the champions will see this as
so it would have to be in an environment where first and
a chance to apply pressure on the leaders, Manchester City.
foremost it was safe.”
Daniel Taylor
Fans have complained about a lack of communication from
Venue Old Trafford
the Premier League [http://tinyurl.com/6yneax]’s bottom club
Tickets £17-£47 (0161 868 8000)
but Kean said plans are in place to allow their grievances to be
Last season Man Utd 2 Wigan 0
heard.
Referee P Dowd
“I spoke with the deputy chief executive and I think there
This season’s matches 12 Y53, R1, 4.50 cards per game
was a plan where the directors were going to meet with the
Odds Man Utd 1-7 Wigan 16-1 Draw 13-2
fans. I don’t know where that’s at. I said I would be available.
Subs from Lindegaard, Diouf, Macheda, Berbatov, Park,
I’ve already met with the fans in my office and did a full, open
Gibson, Giggs, Fryers, Hernández
podcast. I answered every question they asked. I’m always very
Doubtful None Injured Ferdinand (foot, 31 Dec), Cleverley
open and honest with anything I’m asked.”
(ankle, Jan), Owen (thigh, Jan), F da Silva (hamstring, Jan),
Kean has been left increasingly isolated, with Venky’s
Anderson (knee, Jan), Young (ankle, Jan), Vidic (knee,
conspicuous by their absence at recent games while the local
Aug), Fletcher (illness, Aug) Suspended None Form guide
MP, Jack Straw, and the Lancashire Telegraph have called for
WWWWDW
the manager to go.
Disciplinary record Y20 R1
He did receive support from his fellow managers this week,
Leading scorer Rooney 13
with Sir Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp, Owen Coyle and David
Subs from Kirkland, Gohouri, Watson, Boyce, Pollitt,
Moyes condemning the situation.
McArthur, Rodallega, López, Thomas, Crusat, Maloney, Van
Kean said: “My phone’s been going hot all week with
Aanholt, Di Santo
messages saying: ‘Hang in there.’ No disrespect to local
Doubtful None
MPs or local journalists or ex-players but, when you’ve got
Injured None
vastly experienced managers phoning and saying under the
Suspended None
circumstances you’re doing a marvellous job, then I’ll listen to
Form guide DDWLWD
them.”
Disciplinary record Y29 R1
It does not get any easier for Kean with a trip to Anfield to
Leading scorer Di Santo, Gómez 4
face Liverpool on Boxing Day followed by another away game
• The hosts have won all 13 of their competitive matches
against Manchester United.
against Wigan
Rovers have been hit hard by injuries, particularly in
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007 guardian.co.uk
Page 10 G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
• The visitors are looking to win three successive away games
for the first time since November 2005
• 79% of the goals United have conceded this season have
John Mackie talks for first time since he
come in the second-half of games, the highest proportion in the was at centre of race storm
top-flight
• Ali Al-Habsi has saved three of the four penalties he has faced Former footballer who racially abused
this season another player in 2002 relives events in
• Jonny Evans has made more clearances than any other United
light of the Luis Suárez and John Terry cases
player during the current campaign (24)
Stuart James
It was about 7.30am on Wednesday and John Mackie had just
Squad sheets: Norwich City v finished setting up his fruit and veg stall in Camden. He popped
Tottenham Hotspur inside a pub across the road from the business he has run ever
since he retired from professional football in 2008, following
A mark of Tottenham Hotspur [http://tinyurl.com/5nwt7b]’s a career that included spells with Reading [http://tinyurl.
progress is that they could feel aggrieved only to draw with com/4bzzuo], Leyton Orient and Brentford, to use the loo, only
Chelsea last week, but they may soon be blunted by injuries. to be stopped in his tracks.
Rafael van der Vaart and Aaron Lennon have been ruled out “Sky Sports News was on, showing Luis Suárez [http://
while Jermain Defoe, Younès Kaboul and Ledley King are tinyurl.com/ca9fmtv] and that he had been banned for eight
suffering. The latter pair’s fitness could be key against the games,” Mackie says. “I was watching it for five minutes. There
Norwich striker Grant Holt, whose brand of grazing menace was no sound, then Kirsty Gallacher came on and I was sure
demands to be taken seriously. With fixtures against Fulham, that she said my name. And then the press conference back in
QPR and West Bromwich Albion coming up this could be a key 2002 came on … I thought: ‘I don’t really need this.’ I thought
period for Paul Lambert’s side. James Callow it was just going to be a little clip but it was on for two or three
Venue Carrow Road minutes. Every time something like this happens it’s going to be
Tickets Sold out brought up.”
Last season n/a Mackie is referring to the regrettable incident nine years
Referee M Oliver ago, when he was playing for Reading and racially abused the
This season’s matches 8 Y19, R2, 2.62 cards per game Sheffield United [http://tinyurl.com/42xkn4] striker Carl Asaba.
Odds Norwich 10-3 Tottenham 4-5 Draw 5-2 He publicly apologised 48 hours later during a press conference
Subs from Rudd, Barnett, Jackson, Johnson, Ayala, Bennett, where he was joined by Alan Pardew, the Reading manager at
Pilkington, C Martin, Drury, Wibraham the time, and John Salako and Tony Rougier, two black team-
Doubtful Da Laet (back) mates who offered to support him. Mackie also voluntarily
Injured Vaughan (knee, Jan), Ward (knee, unknown) donated two weeks’ wages to the Kick Racism Out of Football
Suspended Naughton (one match) Ineligible Naughton campaign.
(terms of loan) Asaba accepted the apology and Sheffield United, after
Form guide DDWLWL initially complaining to the Football Association, said they
Disciplinary record Y27 R2 did not want to take the matter any further. The FA, however,
Leading scorer Holt 7 proceeded to charge Mackie with misconduct and two
Subs from Gomes, Cudicini, Corluka, Rose, Livermore, months later banned him for eight matches, five of which
Townsend, Kranjcar, were suspended, and fined him £3,000, £1,500 of which was
Falqué, Pienaar, Giovani, Pavlyuchenko suspended. Reading stripped him of the captaincy.
Doubtful King (knee/hamstring), Kaboul, Defoe (both If all of this feels like old news, it is worth revisiting during
hamstring) Injured Van der Vaart (hamstring, 31 Dec), Dawson a week when Mackie’s name has returned to the public
(achilles, 7 Jan), Lennon (ankle, 7 Jan), Huddlestone (ankle, Feb) consciousness because of the race allegations involving Suárez
Suspended None and John Terry. Mackie is one of the few footballers that knows
Form guide DWLWWW what it is like to be at the centre of a race storm and in many
Disciplinary record Y20 R1 ways his own case set a precedent ahead of the Suárez verdict.
Leading scorer Adebayor 9 He has never before answered any questions about what
• Norwich have failed to score in their last four matches against happened with Asaba – he read from a statement at the press
Tottenham conference – but the 35-year-old Londoner is aware that his
• The visitors have kept only one away clean sheet this season name keeps cropping up at the moment and he agrees to do
but only Manchester United have stopped them scoring on their this interview to explain his own story and to try to draw a line
travels under it at the same time.
• Grant Holt has scored four goals in his last four home He starts by recalling the events on 14 December 2002,
appearances when he returned to the centre of the Reading defence for
• Spurs have won five and lost none of their last six matches at their league game against Sheffield United after a four-match
Carrow Road absence. “I’d had a hard game with Dean Windass, a good
• Bradley Johnson has committed more fouls without receiving battle, nothing nasty,” Mackie says. “Then, all of a sudden, I got
a card than any other top-flight player (18) an elbow to the Adam’s apple. It’s just about the worst place you
can get an elbow; you think you are choking. I thought it was
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2007 guardian.co.uk
Page 11 G24 Sport Saturday December 24 2011 00:17 GMT
Dean and then I looked up and it was Carl and he was sort of of ‘we’re losing our best player’. Then again, it doesn’t really
laughing. I was fuming. I’ve come back into the team and we’re matter about that or how much money you’re on, [Suárez and
losing and you start wondering if it’s down to you and then this Terry] are still human and, whether they’ve said it or not, it’s
happens. still going to be in their minds. Money doesn’t come into it
“There was a little fracas in the tunnel, nothing major, and when something like this happens. It’s your reputation.”
we went into the dressing room and got a rollicking from Pards. Mackie believes that his own reputation was tainted and
He sent us out for a warm down and they came out as well. questions whether that is one of the reasons why few clubs
[Asaba] came out and he was saying stuff and I was saying stuff, were interested in signing him when he left Reading. He is not
and it was one of those things where it was so much frustration bitter and certainly not looking for sympathy; he knows what
and anger rolled into one. I said the words and as soon as I did, I he said was totally unacceptable and wishes he could “rewind it
thought: ‘What have I done?’ and change what happened”.
“I had James Harper, Tony Rougier and John Salako [all of But listening to him talk for more than an hour it is also clear
whom are black] standing there and I was wondering what they that there needs to be a distinction drawn between someone
would think of me. Nothing was said after the game but the that uses a racist term on a one-off occasion and instantly
next day I got a call from Pards who said: ‘We’ve got a problem. regrets their comments, and someone that is a racist. “But you
We think Sheffield United are going to file a complaint.’” can’t get that through to some people,” he says.
Mackie wanted to apologise to Asaba immediately but he It is getting late and Mackie needs to get home before
was also worried about what many of his friends would think of another early start at the market. “It’s not nice for it to keep
him. “Anyone who gets done for something racist, they always coming out,” he adds. “A lot of people say that it’s my own
say my uncle’s black or something like that. I think that’s an fault. Yeah, it is my own fault. But at the time … I couldn’t take
easy get out and I wasn’t looking for that. But probably half my the words back but I did everything else to put it right. Some
contacts in my phone are black or mixed-race guys. I thought I people accepted it. Some never will. In my own mind, I know
had to call them and the response I got was: ‘You don’t need to I did wrong. But I also did what I thought was right to try and
phone us.’ They even offered to hire a coach and come down rectify it.”
and be character witnesses.”
The next day Salako and Rougier volunteered to come
forward. “Tony and John were brilliant. They said they would
back me up. I didn’t ask them. And they were senior pros, they
weren’t young kids bullied into a PR stunt. They knew it was
an angry comment made in the heat of the moment and wasn’t
intended as a racist comment. I’m sure if they really thought I
was a racist and a horrible person, they wouldn’t have set foot
in the room.”
Mackie never considered trying to claim that he was
innocent. “I could have denied it and it would have been up
to them to prove it,” he says. “I’m sure there would have been
witnesses but you could get found guilty and still say you never
said it. But I’ve always been brought up that if you do wrong,
you apologise for it. I did that and paid the price financially and
I also think I paid the price career-wise.
“I lost the captaincy, lost my place during the suspension
and, in the long run, when my contract came to an end, I think
it was probably an easy decision for the club to say: ‘See you
later.’”
He never received any disparaging comments from team-
mates, opponents, supporters or members of the public in the
days and weeks that followed his clash with Asaba, although
Mackie accepts that Suárez may well get a rough ride, in
particular from fans. “He’s a million times better player than
me. And with him, [opposition supporters are] going to want to
put him off anyway because he’s a danger man.”
Mackie is reluctant to talk about Suárez or Terry because
he is not in possession of the full facts. But what he does say
is that both players, because of their status at their clubs, are
in a completely different position to the one he found himself
in. Although he says that he got “a lot of support from a lot of
Reading fans”, he also sensed the relationship was never quite
the same.
“Terry is a god at Chelsea; he can’t do no wrong. Suárez is
the same really at Liverpool [http://tinyurl.com/42nq4e]. With
myself, in that season I was a bit-part player, so it wasn’t a case
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