Well-grounded Robinho Knows He Deserves A Good Dressing-up

Sun Herald

Sunday January 18, 2009

Matthew Hall

MANCHESTER CITY'S millionaire star Robinho made news last year for taking a bus to a shopping mall. He's kicked off this year in similar, grounded fashion after being refused entry to a Leeds nightclub for wearing a tracksuit. The Brazilian, who earns almost $400,000 a week, failed to throw a tantrum and instead went back to his hotel, changed and returned to the club to try again. This time, recognised by bouncers, Robinho shared champagne with all comers and left his waiter a $1000 tip. He turns 25 this Saturday - let's hope he dresses up if he goes out to celebrate.

Diego's no bright spark

Last time Parrot stayed at a Manchester hotel before a big game, a drunken Irishman passed out in a room with a cigarette in hand, sparked a fire and forced a 2am evacuation. Last Sunday morning, Chelsea players met the same fate when Diego Maradona, staying at the same hotel as the Premier League team, fired up an early morning cigar. Cue fire alarms and evacuation. Pity the sight of John Terry and Didier Drogba shivering in the street in their pajamas.

Mourinho back on deck

How much does English football miss Jose Mourinho? The Inter coach was in Manchester to see United beat his former team, Chelsea, and dropped in to share a vino with Alex Ferguson before next month's Champions League clash between the two teams. "We spoke for half an hour," Mourinho said drily. "I told him how Inter will play against United and he named his 11 players for the game." Of course, they didn't discuss that at all.

Bruce avoids hairdryer

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez appears to enjoy picking fights with Manchester United counterpart Alex Ferguson. But Steve Bruce, Wigan manager and a former Man U player under Ferguson, has a different approach to having run-ins with his former boss: "You don't." Ferguson, apparently, regularly texts fellow coaches "advising" them it's better to be a United ally than an enemy.

No joy for Japanese

Japan coach Takeshi Okada is serious about the 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers and the World Cup qualifier against Australia next month. He has banned three players from attending a traditional coming-of-age ceremony - an event marked with a national holiday in Japan for people turning 20. "There's no need for them to go," Okada said. "I'm not going either."

Big Phil's mantra

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari: "If I lose my job, I will have another job. Maybe tomorrow, maybe after one year or two. I've worked for 25 years. I like Chelsea. I like Cobham, where I live, I like the school my son is at, I like my job here and the people. It's not [a] problem for me. I like every day in London. But if I go back to Brazil, I will like Brazil the same. When I was in Kuwait, I loved Kuwait. I had three fantastic years in Saudi Arabia. I love life and I work hard every day. If I lose or do not lose my job, I will be the same. I am the same."

DANNING DREAM

Just how much must Sydney coach John Kosmina love Kofi Danning after the young gun stole the show with his dream winner against Wellington Phoenix last weekend? Danning hogged headlines during the week, shifting the spotlight away from other issues, like why Kosmina and his million-dollar outcast striker John Aloisi don't talk. Come on, guys. Hug it out!

SNOW JOB

Boo to Spain's Football Federation for fining Atletico Madrid after fans threw snowballs at Athletic Bilbao's goalkeeper during the opening minutes of their clash. After five minutes of frosty fan fun, the referee stopped the game to demand an end to the barrage. Atletico were fined EUR600 ($1175).

A BUG IN SYSTEM

Best prank ever! An internet joker last year reported the existence of 16-year-old Masal Bugduv, an apparent football sensation from Moldova. Further fake stories appeared online citing "interest" from Arsenal, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Liverpool, all with supporting "quotes" from an agent. This week, The Times rated Bugduv, who does not exist, at No.30 in a list of football's top 50 rising stars. Clunk. As John Kosmina said of the new media revolution, the lunatics have taken over the asylum. Hooray! Reports that Sydney FC have signed Bugduv on loan for the remainder of the A-League season could not be confirmed but, with their recent recruitment policy, could be believed.