IAN COLE’s weekly round-up of sport through the things they said includes Manchester United’s Ji-Sung Park, Michael Schumacher, the former F1 champion, drug cheat Dwain Chambers, and David Beckham
“I am a Manchester United fan and I support the club. I always will. I saw the scarf and just put it round my neck. It’s the old colours ” that’s all I know. It’s nothing to do with me how it’s run. I support the team” David Beckham after wearng a green-and-gold anti-Glazer “protest” scarf at the end of AC Milan’s defeat at Old Trafford.
“I saw him really suffering. In the changing room I hugged him and told him that if he wants he can join us next year, too” Adriano Galliani, the Milan vice-president, offers comfort as Beckham’s season, his World Cup and maybe even his career are ended by a ruptured Achilles tendon.
“There is progress and improvement and the core of a good team coming together. Confidence will come step by step with each game they play” Martin Johnson, the England rugby manager, after seeing his side draw with Scotland, a team that previously lost to Italy.
“Liverpool are in a mess. The owners, being American, don’t feel what we feel. We went to Anfield earlier this season and there’s no atmosphere, no heart. The supporters feel that and the players are starting to feel it” Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, buoyed by a 1-0 victory over the Merseysiders.
“I’d like to apologise to the Women’s Institute. I didn’t realise there was a rally going on. There were 50 to 100 women on a march across the Humber Bridge and the incident was unsavoury, it was unfortunate” Phil Brown accepts that the WI ladies might not have appreciated an impromptu scrap involving Nick Barmby and Jimmy Bullard during Hully City training. Yesterday, Hull sacked the manager that had taken thm into the Premiership and kept them there.
“It’s not going to be the Lewis Hamilton debut. I won’t lie to you, if we finish the race it will be a minor miracle. But those are the cards we have been dealt. Nobody is holding a gun to my head. This is what I choose to do” Karun Chandhok, an F1 novice, takes his untested Hispania car to the grid for the season’s opening race in Bahrain amid worries that he could be a menace to himself and his rivals. He didn’t finish.
“I spoke to him and asked him if he thought he was ever wrong. He said, ‘Not that I can remember’” David Coulthard on old adversary Michael Schumacher.
“Best catch ever off my bowling. I was overjoyed Cooky was off the field because there was no chance he’d have caught that” Graeme Swann, right, thanks 12th man James Tredwell, who took a stunning catch to dismiss Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim while captain Alastair Cook was off the field.
“Every time I play a game I put it behind me as soon as it’s finished. Sometimes it’s one of those days and today I put it right. I’m happy with my hat-trick but tomorrow we move on” Nicklas Bendtner, ridiculed for a series of misses for Arsenal against Burnley three days earlier, scores a hat-trick in the 5-0 Champions League win over Porto.
“I’ve lived that life and it didn’t work. I’ve been working on building relationships, trying to do things right, and get myself back into the fold of being an athlete” Dwain Chambers, at the world indoor championships, accepts he will never be allowed back into the Olympic or Commonwealth Games. Chambers, who tested positive for banned drugs in 2003, won the 60m world title.
“In South Korea my reputation is high and everyone chases me around. Here I can walk about without a cap or sunglasses and concentrate on my football. I don’t like to be considered famous. I can deal with it but it feels uncomfortable” Ji-Sung Park has been noticeable for his performances on the field for Manchester United this season.
SJA dates for your diaries
Mon Apr 12: SJA Spring Golf Day , to be staged at Surbiton GC. To book, contact Paul Trow (07973 862747).
Thu Apr 15: SJA 2010 Annual Meeting , at offices of UK Sport
Mon Apr 19: SJA/LOCOG guided tour of Olympic Park, 2pm For booking details, click here.
Sun Apr 25: SJA Cricket Day. Enjoy corporate hospitality with friends and colleagues, and bring along your partner, as Lancashire take on Surrey. Tickets £65 each. Click here for booking details.
Mon Sep 13: SJA Autumn Golf Day, Muswell Hill GC. To book, contact Paul Trow (07973 862747).
Click here for more recent articles on journalism, sport and sports journalism
Join the SJA today – click here for details and membership application form