Kick It Out
‘THE Kick Racism Out Of Football campaign celebrated its 10th birthday the other day with most people agreeing that the atmosphere now is much better than it was in 1993.
|
| Scott Parker – part of Chelsea’s 12-man midfield |
Perhaps it is testament to its success that a single alleged incident in last Sundays FA Cup clash between Fulham and Everton makes the back page of both the Sun and the Mirror.
But it does indicate that Anoraks Kick Asterisks Out Of Newspapers campaign, launched the same day to slightly less fanfare (we couldnt afford David Mellor) has not had similar results.
The Sun reports that Fulhams Portuguese forward Luis Boa Morte claims he was called a black **** by an Everton player during the 1-1 draw.
And his club are preparing to call in the FA to investigate the incident, possibly even lodging an official complaint later today.
The Mirror is less reticent both about the identity of the Everton player (Duncan Ferguson) and about the exact nature of the alleged abuse.
But even it cant bring itself to utter the word in full, preferring instead to mask its identity with the use of two asterisks, as in black c**t.
How many Mirror readers, we wonder, are this minute consulting their crossword dictionaries to see just how many words fit the bill.
Colt? Cent? Cart? Or could it possibly have been that old Middle English word (of Germanic orgin), cunt?
We suspect the latter because the Mirror says Boa Morte is furious at what he claims was an unprovoked attack, which it says took place because Ferguson was upset at being beaten by pace by the Fulham striker.
Given the relative speeds of the two players, it is a bit like the tortoise calling the hare a floppy-eared cunt as he sped past.
But Duncan is not the only Ferguson in trouble the row over Sir Alexs position as Manchester United manager rumbles on on the back page of the Mail and Express.
Lawyers acting for Cubic Expression, the company owned by John Magnier and JP McManus and the clubs major shareholder, has sent a list of 99 questions it wants the Old Trafford board to answer.
Most of the questions focus on the clubs transfer dealings and use of agents.
And, says the Mail, even the unconditional worship that Ferguson enjoys from the United fans, and the full support of the board, might not be enough to secure his future at Old Trafford.
While United are riven by internecine strife, Chelsea are once again trying to buy success with the Express suggesting that, having just signed Charltons Scott Parker for £10m, the Blues are after seven more players.
Someone should explain to Claudio Ranieri that, however many players you buy, only 11 are allowed on the pitch at any one time.’
Posted: 30th, January 2004 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
