Flog - Short memory, Rio?

Yesterday, one of football’s most outspoken idiots, Rio Ferdinand, took exception to one of football’s run-of-the-mill idiots, Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli, celebrating in front of the Manchester United fans as the final whistle was blown on the first FA Cup semi-final of the weekend. City, having won 1-0 and thus ending any chance of another United treble, were obviously ecstatic as any team would be after victory over your neighbours, particularly in a knock-out cup competition.



Anderson dives in for a cuddle

  I actually love Balotelli. I think he’s essential- stock, even- of any successful football side. Discussing a theory before the start of this season with a friend of mine that ‘every team needs ‘a bit of a crazy’’, we referred to recent examples (Roy Keane, Martin Keown, Wayne Rooney, Jens Lehmann, Didier Drogba et al) and concluded that a) we are football geniuses and b) it holds water. A predictable dressing room doesn’t necessarily mean a happy or indeed successful one.

Balotelli’s act of showing his badge to the United supporters isn’t inciting trouble. I’ve been to Wembley and any slight action a player performed on that pitch could only realistically be seen by about 2% of the crowd, and that’s of those who remained in the stadium until the final whistle. Ferdinand, perhaps a little tired after the birth of his daughter- and no doubt the setting up of her Twitter account all night- started shoving Balotelli, along with other United players who looked somewhat confused but thought it was better to join in berating the Italian than to just walk off the pitch, gracious in defeat.

Here is what Rio actually said regarding the incident, via Twitter (what else?):

‘If u score a goal+give a bit to opposing fans I kind of accept that but at the final whistle go to your own fans+enjoy it not opposing fans’.

Well Rio, here is my response: just because Gary Neville has retired, it doesn’t mean he never existed. You remember Gary, don’t you Rio? He was the one who was as gobby as you, spent as much time in the injury room as you for the last couple of years, and owned an equally poor choice of facial hair? And so you remember that time he went completely mental when United scored against Liverpool a few years back, prompting a tirade of fist pumping, badge kissing and vein-throbbing screams at the Liverpool away supporters? Oh that’s right, I forgot. When you SCORE, it’s allowed, but not at the end of a game. Right, demz the rulez.