Maple Lions

Polish-born Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has been cautioned by police for trying to provoke and taunt Rangers supporters - allegedly by crossing himself:

Celtic have asked for a meeting with police after goalkeeper Artur Boruc was cautioned for a breach of the peace during an Old Firm game at Ibrox.

Boruc was accused of making gestures during a game with Rangers in February.

The Crown Office said the procurator fiscal had issued the caution as an alternative to prosecution.

A spokesman explained that Boruc’s actions “included a combination of behaviour before a crowd in the charged atmosphere of an Old Firm match”.

The Polish goalkeeper’s behaviour had “provoked alarm and crowd trouble”.

Criticism, led by the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, which claimed that Boruc had been cautioned for the act of blessing himself, has been directed at the police response.

Somewhere out there, most likely at a bar, Paul Gascoigne is wondering whether he can sue for royalties or something.

Damian P.

Update: Christianity Today says Boruc was cautioned for making “come on!” gestures to the crowd, not for making the sign of the cross.

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Henry Winter explains why an England-hosted World Cup in 2018 may never come to be. Surprisingly, none of the reasons include hoolies, lousy food or dodgy pitches.

Paul Canniff

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So Owen Hargreaves will continue to languish in the dark euro-ridden recesses of Bayern Munich, never to see the sun-drenched vales of Lancashire — well, at least not until 2010.

Has the Ashley Cole debacle taught players and agents nothing about the fundamentals of contract law? Putting on  a public pout is of little use when there is no prospect of negotiation in play.

Kudos to Hargreaves for his performance at the World Cup but one hopes he would do better in picking his career counsel.

Paul Canniff

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The August 2006 edition of Shoot Monthly reports that Steven Gerrard led the England squad in calories burned up in season competition at 91,000, the equivalent of running 32 marathons. Coming in behind were Frank Lampard and John Terry. The results came from a study commissioned by McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes, an official supplier of snacks to the national team.

No word yet on research by Ronaldo’s sponsor, PowerSauce Bars. Give credit where it’s due: he still broke Gerd Muller’s scoring record while apparently fuelled with old apple cores and shredded Chinese newspapers.

Paul Canniff

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Quick thoughts after the 2-0 Blues win over Blackburn:

1. With Cech back, the difference is twofold: a better keeper and one who is in real command of the back line.
2. Sixteen members of the Chelsea squad were on World Cup duty: lots of talent but a good deal of it in recovery and trying to mesh in a revamped squad. The corner may have been turned but the real test will be the CL fixture against Barça next month.
3. The Makelele-Savage clash could have gone either way in carding; in truth, it was a bit of a grifters’ convention in mid-field.
4. As the second goal demonstrated, there is real dogged talent beneath Droghba’s irritating field persona.
5. Give Blackburn due credit: they have built a reputation as giant-killers in the EPL and we have not seen the last of them this season. While Rovers did not make a lot of their possession, the big guns should never take that for granted.

Paul Canniff

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The Scion Kop at Anfield is not England’s only kop, but it certainly is *The* Kop.  So, here’s a Maple Lions cheer for The Kop’s 100th anniversary.

I know Paul and Damian have attended a match at Anfield, so I’ll invite them and anyone else to comment on the stand, its life and legacy.

Mike C.

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It seemed to me that Spurs would have been better off if Kevin Kilbane had not been sent off in the 33rd minute of today’s match at White Hart Lane. Lee seemed to have his number and probably would have penetrated from the right side all day long. As it was, I wasn’t overly pleased with the Kilbane start. However, as one of the tv announcer’s mentioned, something happens sometimes to ten-man squads and, whatever it was, it happened to Everton today. They made it to half time with a nil-nil draw, but, still, it didn’t look hopeful for Moyes’ men. Chances were that Tottenham would break them down as the game went on.

But Andrew Johnson started to find his groove in the second half and did some nice work to set up the first goal from an Arteta free kick into the box. A glancing header from the other Everton newcomer, Joleon Lescott, went into the net off of Spurs defender Davenport, but I believe it was Joseph Yobo who was waiting at the far post and probably would have had it. 1-Nil! Could it be?

Some great mid-field work from Leon Osman brought the ball forward on the right to Phil Neville and it was one Steve McLaren call-up to another with a tremendous cross from Neville and a beautiful finish by Andy Johnson. 2-Nil! Unbelieveable!

Tim Howard didn’t need to do much, but did what he had to do when he had to do it. I won’t comment on Martin Jol’s stategy, although the tv commentators certainly had lots of questions; it was a good performance in that respect from Moyes himself.

It took Everton until NOVEMBER 27th to score 5 goals last season and hadn’t hit the 7 points mark until November 6th when a victory brought them to 9 points. Lots of positive things happening in Toffeeland these days. Are Evertonians excited about a better-than-11th-place-finish for 2006-07? You’re frakking right we are! Twenty-one years to the day from their last win at White Hart Lane, Everton goes home with the win.

Mike C.

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British teams in capitals; seeds in bold

Levadia Tallinn v NEWCASTLE
Molde FK v RANGERS
Sparta Prague v HEARTS*
FC Salzburg v BLACKBURN
WEST HAM v Palermo
Slavia Prague v TOTTENHAM

Full details here.

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Toronto FC, which will play in the MLS next season, has named veteran Scottish player Mo Johnston as its first head coach.

Though Johnston had a less than stellar record upon departing as head coach of New York Red Bulls, he does bring a considerable amount of playing and managerial experience to the touchline.

Today’s hardcopy edition of The Globe and Mail reports that Canadian international and former Southampton player Jim Brennan may be Toronto FC’s first signing.

Paul Canniff

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With Roy Keane due to take over as gaffer at the Stadium of Light, is the scenario going to be more like I Spit on Your Grave, as Saint Roy delivers the historical death blow to World Cup nemesis Mick McCarthy, or will it be something along these lines?

McCarthy: “I’ve done far worse than kill you, Roy. I’ve hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me: marooned for all eternity at the head of a dead team, buried alive. Buried alive.”
Keane: “MIIIICK!!!”
[echo]
Keane: “MIIIICK!!!”

Paul Canniff

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