Football Diary
by Patrick O’Connor

WITH parts of the country still smouldering from the wreckage of the havoc caused by rioters and looters, it was sad to witness the opening day of the Premier League spoilt by a nasty squabble between two footballers whose priority should have been to set a example of good behaviour to the watching millions.

The actions of these over-pampered prima donnas impacts on impressionable youth but instead of inspiration we got Newcastle’s Joey Barton and Arsenal’s Gervinho in an ugly spat during the 0-0 draw.

Sports Diary
by Patrick O’Connor

CRICKET has sometimes been called the ‘gentlemen’s game’, an indication that sportsmanship and fair play are vitally important.

Hence the phrase ‘it’s just not cricket’ used to describe something that is underhanded or unfair behaviour.

Sports Diary
by Patrick O’Connor

YOU might think that British Members of Parliament have enough on their plate at the moment dealing with the phone hacking scandal that has engulfed the country but far from it, some of them want to sort out football.

The House of Commons culture, media and sport committee has suggested that the Football Association tackles financial instability and debt in the game.

Sports Diary
by Patrick O’Connor

WELL you have to ask don’t you?

Tiny Scottish non-league side Largs Thistle couldn’t believe their luck when locals Colin and Chris Weir were announced as Britain’s biggest ever lottery winners.

Sports Diary
by Patrick O’Connor

DO you know the rules of football?

Have you any idea how and when they were first established?

Sports Diary
by Patrick O’Connor

THE gift of the gab has always been a vital component in sport and never has this been more evident than over the last few days.

Just listen to British heavyweight boxer Dave Haye, talking after losing his title fight to Wladimir Klitschko on points in Hamburg.