Just when you thought the Roy Keane-Jack Warner war of words would win the 2008 Verbal Warfare award, there is a new battle brewing. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson slammed FIFA president Sepp Blatter, questioning whether Blatter’s penchant for controversial remarks is a sign that he might be too old for his job.
Ferguson went after Blatter in a new issue of GQ magazine, where he questions Blatter’s competency amidst the myriad of unique comments the 72-year-old FIFA president has made in the past year.
“I think Sepp Blatter is in danger or has reached a point now where he is being mocked within the game,” Ferguson said of Blatter. “Whether he is getting too old I don’t know but these things can happen to people in power. Look at some of the despots in Africa."
Yes, he went there.
We can only hope that Blatter will have a sharp comeback similiar to Jack Warner’s response to Roy Keane’s jabs back in September.
Here are some other soccer stories to get your day started:
Portsmouth names Adams new manager
In of the more predictable stories to come away from the weekend, Portsmouth has named Tony Adams as the club’s new manager afterthe sudden departure of former manager Harry Redknapp to Tottenham.
Adams, 42, has spent the past two years as Redknapp’s assistant and while his coaching resume is think, he does provide the leadership that came with stints as captain for Arsenal and the English national team.
Gilardino banned for two matches for handball goal
Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino has been issued a two-match ban for intentionally scoring a goal with his hand in Fiorentina’s 3-1 win vs. Palermo.
If you haven’t seen the play yet, here is a good look:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liiB7d653qI&hl=en&fs=1]
Gilardino’s defense is that if the goal shouldn’t have counted then he should have been awarded a penalty on the same play because he was pushed down in the penalty area. Serie A officials weren’t buying that explanation and gave Gilardino a two-match ban to think about his actions.
What do you think of the above stories? Did Ferguson’s comments about Blatter make you laugh? Think Tony Adams will help Portsmouth find sucess? Was a two-game ban too harsh a suspension for Gilardino’s handball?
Share your thoughs below.