theredpanda asked: How do you feel about John Terry staying on as the England captain considering his affair?
Also does the Sports Minister hassling the FA constitute the same interference that got Togo banned for two African Nations tournaments?
I think the John Terry situation is quite funny, really, but also really troubling in a freedom of the press situation. I write enough on my usual blog about the chilling effects of injunctions and the like, so I’ll leave that side of things for that blog.
As much as I detest Chelsea, I have to admit that Terry is a born leader, and that he is the most natural person to take on the captaincy role for England. He’s an absolute shoe-in to start every game, and there’s not too many other players we can say that about.
And the other potential England captains each have their own transgressions to deal with: Gerrard’s assault trial; Rooney’s temper and inclination to get sent off; Lampard’s playboy nature; Ashley Cole’s money-grabbing cunt-like personality. Would you prefer any of those? And nobody else is really a definite in the team every week, so you can’t pick them.
I really don’t give a crap about his alleged affair and infidelity with Wayne Bridge’s bird, in relation to his performance and status as England captain. If he’s a leader on the pitch, and commands respect from his teammates, that will do for me.
Bearing in mind that past England captains include Beckham (adulterer, corporate sell-out, got sent off in a huge match), Adams (convicted drunk-driver, spent time in prison), Shearer (elbow-tastic, dirty player), and so on, Terry’s not the worst.
On the second question, it should be noted that we don’t have a Sports Minister, per se. He’s actually the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, which always struck me as an odd combination.
The only time that sport ever seems to cross his lips is when there’s some media headlines and column inches to be made. He’s not even in charge of the Olympics! We have a separate minister for that…
And it’s not as if he’s making an original statement. He’s merely parroting whatever it is that Middle England wants to hear, in an effort to score political points.
Believe it or not, but the government has no say over who is England captain, or in fact who represents any of the home countries at whatever sport, be it professional or amateur. These sports run themselves, and have their own rules for everything from grass roots up to the national teams, and by and large they operate pretty effectively.
The government can merely attempt to influence this from the outside, looking in. They are merely a voice, and as I said above, it’s a politically-loaded voice at that. We can safely ignore it.
On the Togo issue, that’s a fucking disgraceful decision. They’re punishing the team for being the victim of an attack. How does that work?!
Yes, the team should’ve followed the organisers’ rules regarding flying to games, but surely an African football body should realise that costs are often at a premium nowadays. Many countries simply can’t afford that kind of outlay, and to ban them for the next two tournaments is a ridiculous decision.
