Archive for the “sport” Category

Not really a lot more to say than the title of this post.

During an interview last night on Triple M Phil Gould was incredibly disrespectful to NRL chief David Gallop, shouting at him and scoffing at Gallop’s responses and constantly interrupting. At one point he went off on a rant for a whole minute.

It’s fascinating, in a way. But mostly very cringeworthy.

And you can listen to it right now! Click here if you want to experience the crazy for yourself.

[Update]

Channel Nine chief executive David Gyngell is claiming Gould was never scheduled to appear on The Footy Show Wednesday night.

Gould also claims not to have a problem with Gallop. Strange, that’s not how it came across at all.

Matthew Hayden’s characterisation of serial racist Harbhajan Singh as an “obnoxious weed” has clarified once and for all the real difference between the Australian and Indian cricketing teams.

Both sides are guilty of indulging in sledging. Of that there is no doubt. It’s something that probably shouldn’t be in the game, but for whatever reason it seems to have become standard practice for sides all round the world. Whether the Indians or the Australians are more offensive when they do it is probably not something you could gauge, without secretly recording them throughout a game.

If you simply make everyone wear a microphone, very little will be said of any consequence.

But where does the real difference between the sides come in, then?

When an Indian cricketer is accused of making a vile, racist, taunt, in full hearing of a number of players, he can expect the full support of his cricketing association in fighting the charge. This support can include lawyers and even threatening to withdraw from any further matches involving the victim’s team.

When an Australian cricketer gives a frank, honest, but scathing review of an Indian player’s character, he is immediately required to front up to a hearing with his association and may face fines and/or a suspension.

This is on top of behaviour like Ishant Sharma’s abuse of Andrew Symonds, wicketkeeper MS Dhoni’s use of illegal gloves and the constant refusal of certain Indian players to walk when given out throughout the recent Test series and in some of the One Day matches this summer.

India love to make a big deal about playing “in the spirit of the game”. I fear the day when everyone plays the game in the same “spirit” India has shown us.