SA Blog Number 2 - A Prepubescent Debut In Bolivia
15th August 2009
Events in South America over the past six weeks have been pretty normal, run-of-the-mill, conventional even - sound boring? No chance!
In that time frame, we´ve witnessed a prepubescent debut in Bolivia; a high profile arrest; a 60 day ban for one of the continent’s star players; an appearance from President Obama; an incredible climax to the Argentine Apertura and last but not least, the postponement of all domestic football in Argentina. I think that is it..........oh yeah, a player killed a fan for calling him rubbish.
South America welcomed a couple of legends back to the continent over the last few weeks; former Arsenal midfielder Edu signed for Corinthians and veteran midfielder Emerson joined Santos. However, with a tear in our eye, we waved goodbye to another- Argentinian wingback Juan Pablo Sorin, sadly, retired due to injury.
As many fans of South American football can testify, just when you think that you´ve seen it all - they take it up a notch! And Julio Cesar Baldivieso really cranked it up this time. Four weeks ago, the Aurora manager played his 12-year-old son in the Bolivian top flight. Who said nepotism was dead? Mauricio, brought on as a substitute, had a tough introduction to the game when a tackle from La Paz hardman, and big bully, Henry Alaca, led to him being stretchered off. However, credit to the little nipper who dusted himself down and returned a few minutes later to a hero’s reception. Baldivieso resigned a few days later when the club suggested that playing the schoolboy on a regular basis was not a good idea. Baldivieso fumed: "I´m not going to be told whether I play someone from my family or not."
Doing his bit for football in the American continent, US chief Barack Obama met Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and accepted a signed Brazilian shirt. Following that painful 3-2 defeat to the Selecao in the Confederations Cup, Yank soccer fans can rest easy as Obama promised they "will not lose a two-point lead again."
Former Pompey legend Andres ‘Bighead’ D’Alessandro was banned for 60 days by the Brazilian FA for his part in the fisticuffs between Internacional and Corinthians. We’re used to proper dust ups over here, and this one was hardly even a squabble. Here’s the footage of the “offence”, which was basically no more than the little fella chasing giant Corinthians defender William around for a bit.
Even at 43, Brazilian legend Romario is still making the headlines on and off the field. In the past month he has been arrested for failing to pay around £15,000 in child benefits; been forced to sell his Rio apartment due to financial problems and, in typical Romario fashion, made another return to football. This time the legendary striker will play two matches for Rio de Janeiro-based football club America, the team his father supported. Will he add another few to his famous ´1000´ goal tally?
If you are ever in Colombia, avoid Javier Florez of Atletico Juniors as the midfielder doesn´t take criticism well. Following defeat in a local championship game, Atletico fan Israel Castillo approached the player to show his anger and was shot by Florez. Castillo later died in hospital.
The Argentine season reached a sensational climax at both ends of the table last month. To say the deciding game in the Apertura between Velez Sarsfield and Huracan was mental would be an understatement. The clash lasted nearly three hours and had everything from mass brawls and hailstones the size of golf balls to dodgy refereeing and geriatric cheerleaders. If you prefer your excitement to come from the actual football itself, then El Promocion produced the most exciting footballing spectacle in recent years. Gimnasia, trailing 3-0 from the first-leg, somehow maintained their top-flight status thanks to an injury time goal from Franco Niell.
Just as we had recovered from all that excitement and started looking forward to next season, news broke two weeks ago that all domestic competition in Argentina was to be postponed! It all stems from poor financial management that has seen the clubs rack up a collective debt of around £50 Million, resulting in a number of players failing to receive their wages. Mr Grondona has long been miffed by the amount of money made (by others) through betting on Argentinian Competition, July was, allegedly, lobbying the government to make changes to gambling laws that would see the AFA earn a percentage on all bets made on Argentinian Competition - which was amitious, to say the least. Thankfully the situation has now been resolved. The Argentine government will take full control of the tv deal, giving the domestic clubs a large financial boost, and the season will begin on August 21st.
SAF Quotes Of The Month
´I’ll tell you one thing, guys: the other day there was a free kick in a training session and Messi took it. I moved to the side, the ball rebounded off the wall and it came to me...I take it on my left foot, it was so nice. The player came out of me. I said: I´ll nail it. Someone would have noticed because my eyes opened.´ - Diego Maradona
´It is easier to talk to [President] Obama than to Leo [Messi]´ - Diego Maradona
´Maradona is doing good things, he removes the illusion of the Argentinian players and that is very good. Right now, they are better, and given time, they will be marvellous.´ - Ariel Ortega
´I want to return to the Corinthians to play one more season.´ - Carlos Tevez
´I want to clarify that I did not cry when I was fouled. Some people said that I cried, but that´s a lie and they´re just jealous.´ - Mauricio Baldivieso
´I don´t want to speak so I don´t say anything stupid.´ - Andres D´Alessandro
´I had opportunities to play in La Liga and Serie A, but QPR was my choice´ - Alejandro Damián Faurlin
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Neville Bamshoot
:::2009-08-15 14:32:16
Great idea in teaming up with these guys. Now I can get my footy banter and South American football updates in the same place.
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