The Times July 08, 2006
Young, gifted, blacklisted - Ronaldo pays price for theatrics
From George Caulkin, in Berlin
Germany's Polish striker Lukas Podolski wins the Best Young Player Award
Ronaldo's antics ruined his chance of getting the award.
AFTER a miserable World Cup, there was a rare excuse for English vindication yesterday when the country’s latest scapegoat was denied a place in the tournament’s pantheon of heroes. Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney’s nemesis — otherwise known as the Portuguese winker — lost the Best Young Player Award because of his dubious sportsmanship.
Ronaldo, the Manchester United winger, played a pivotal role in his team’s run to the last four and, on talent alone, he represented a worthy candidate for individual honours. Yet he incensed England supporters with his provocative role in Rooney’s sending-off.
The 21-year-old ran to the referee to protest at Rooney’s stamp on Ricardo Carvalho and winked conspiratorially at the Portugal bench when his Old Trafford team-mate was shown the red card.
It is no compensation for fans dismayed by another summer of underachievement (John Terry was the only England player to be selected for the 23-man all-star squad), but Fifa’s Technical Study Group (TSG) at least heeded the proverb about cheats not prospering.
In announcing Lukas Podolski, the Germany striker, as the winner, the governing body conceded that Ronaldo’s theatrics had been a factor. “Players should be role models and fair play is a consideration,” Holger Osieck, head of the TSG, said. “We want decent behaviour.”
Lothar Matthäus, the former Germany player and patron of the award, was critical of Ronaldo, although he did make a plea for tolerance. “You will never have 100 per cent fair play,” he said. “Looking at Cristiano Ronaldo, he was obviously doing something. It’s not nice and it’s not just. It’s not only among players, but also on the bench among coaches.
“He may have accumulated minus points due to the gesture with Rooney, but sometimes you forget the laws in the heat of the fight. Give the young player a break. Remember that Diego Maradona scored a goal with the ‘Hand of God’ (which was also against England). That was not fair play and there are many other examples.”
TERRY HONOUR
JOHN TERRY is the only England player to be named in the 23-man World Cup squad of the tournament. The Chelsea defender, who was chosen by Fifa’s technical study group, is joined by seven players from Italy and four from France. Zé Roberto is the only Brazil player named.
GOALKEEPERS: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Jens Lehmann (Germany), Ricardo (Portugal).
DEFENDERS: Roberto Ayala (Argentina), John Terry (England), Lilian Thuram (France), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal).
MIDFIELD PLAYERS: Zé Roberto (Brazil), Patrick Vieira (France), Zinédine Zidane (France), Michael Ballack (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), Luis Figo (Portugal), Maniche (Portugal).
FORWARDS: Hernán Crespo (Argentina), Thierry Henry (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Francesco Totti (Italy), Luca Toni (Italy).
thetimesonline.co.uk
Young, gifted, blacklisted - Ronaldo pays price for theatrics
From George Caulkin, in Berlin
Germany's Polish striker Lukas Podolski wins the Best Young Player Award
Ronaldo's antics ruined his chance of getting the award.
AFTER a miserable World Cup, there was a rare excuse for English vindication yesterday when the country’s latest scapegoat was denied a place in the tournament’s pantheon of heroes. Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney’s nemesis — otherwise known as the Portuguese winker — lost the Best Young Player Award because of his dubious sportsmanship.
Ronaldo, the Manchester United winger, played a pivotal role in his team’s run to the last four and, on talent alone, he represented a worthy candidate for individual honours. Yet he incensed England supporters with his provocative role in Rooney’s sending-off.
The 21-year-old ran to the referee to protest at Rooney’s stamp on Ricardo Carvalho and winked conspiratorially at the Portugal bench when his Old Trafford team-mate was shown the red card.
It is no compensation for fans dismayed by another summer of underachievement (John Terry was the only England player to be selected for the 23-man all-star squad), but Fifa’s Technical Study Group (TSG) at least heeded the proverb about cheats not prospering.
In announcing Lukas Podolski, the Germany striker, as the winner, the governing body conceded that Ronaldo’s theatrics had been a factor. “Players should be role models and fair play is a consideration,” Holger Osieck, head of the TSG, said. “We want decent behaviour.”
Lothar Matthäus, the former Germany player and patron of the award, was critical of Ronaldo, although he did make a plea for tolerance. “You will never have 100 per cent fair play,” he said. “Looking at Cristiano Ronaldo, he was obviously doing something. It’s not nice and it’s not just. It’s not only among players, but also on the bench among coaches.
“He may have accumulated minus points due to the gesture with Rooney, but sometimes you forget the laws in the heat of the fight. Give the young player a break. Remember that Diego Maradona scored a goal with the ‘Hand of God’ (which was also against England). That was not fair play and there are many other examples.”
TERRY HONOUR
JOHN TERRY is the only England player to be named in the 23-man World Cup squad of the tournament. The Chelsea defender, who was chosen by Fifa’s technical study group, is joined by seven players from Italy and four from France. Zé Roberto is the only Brazil player named.
GOALKEEPERS: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Jens Lehmann (Germany), Ricardo (Portugal).
DEFENDERS: Roberto Ayala (Argentina), John Terry (England), Lilian Thuram (France), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal).
MIDFIELD PLAYERS: Zé Roberto (Brazil), Patrick Vieira (France), Zinédine Zidane (France), Michael Ballack (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), Luis Figo (Portugal), Maniche (Portugal).
FORWARDS: Hernán Crespo (Argentina), Thierry Henry (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Francesco Totti (Italy), Luca Toni (Italy).
thetimesonline.co.uk
