Matt Stevens starts 2yr Drug Ban

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/bath/7915732.stm; http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jan/22/matt-stevens-bath-england-suspension;  

Matt Stevens (England prop) has received a two-year drugs ban until January 18^th 2011, after testing positive for a prohibited substance (though to be cocaine) during a routine urine sample, last December. The ban covers all aspects of rugby (playing / coaching / even promoting the sport). Stevens has opted not to appeal and instead accepts “full responsibility” for his actions.

 

He is quitting his club rugby side, Bath, to spare them any further embarrassment, and instead will focus attention on opening a new cafe (Jika Jika) this summer in Bath.

 

Martin Johnson (England Rugby Manager) has commented that: “Matt has admitted that he has a problem and is seeking help. We support him in that but all rugby players must understand that they are responsible for their actions, and that includes lifestyle choices.”

 

As Cocaine is also a Class A recreational drug, Stevens is lucky that he is not facing imprisonment or criminal charges. Lets just hope that the new cafe is not like the ones that you can find in Amsterdam!

 

See the Sky Sports Interview here: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Matt-Stevens-England-Rugby-Player-Admits-Taking-Drugs-And-Faces-Two-Year-Ban/Video/200901315207503?lid=VIDEO_15207503_MattStevensEnglandRugbyPlayerAdmitsTakingDrugsAndFacesTwoYearBan&lpos=searchresults

UEFA Riot Appeal

The names of 29 men suspected of being involved in rioting at last year’s Uefa Cup final have been given to police.  It comes after images of 49 men were posted on the internet and released through the BBC’s Crimewatch programme. Disorder began before kick-off between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester last May. The resulting violence saw officers and supporters clash in the streets, resulting in a number of injuries and criminal damage (Rangers eventually lost the match 2-0).

After studying hours of CCTV footage, pictures of 49 people police want to trace were placed on the force’s website on Tuesday. The suspects posted on the internet were all involved in violent disorder, with some responsible for assault, criminal damage, looting and a variety of other offences.

Source:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7855228.stm

The images of the unidentified rioters can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/7854173.stm

Tevez’s Bentley seized

The 25-year-old Manchester United and Argentina international was stopped by traffic officers close to Junction 7 on the M60 near Stretford, Greater Manchester . His car has been impounded.

A Police Spokesman confirmed that: “The officers were concerned certain windows were illegally tinted. They were tested and found to be too dark so a prohibition notice was issued to the driver. When asked to provide his documentation, it was discovered the driver did not have a full UK driving licence and was advised to arrange removal of the car. As he could not arrange this, the car was removed under Section 165 of Road Traffic Act 1988.”

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7876308.stm

Poll suggests that Canadians are against fighting in the NHL

On a similar vein, a recent poll conducted by Harris-Decima, suggested that 54% of canadian respondents oppose fighting in the NHL. If this is indeed true, this survey seems to go against much of the conventional thinking that audiences flock to the sport because of, and not in spite of, the fighting on the ice.

“Fighting in hockey has resurfaced as a hot-button issue in recent weeks because Don Sanderson, an Ontario senior men’s league player, died recently after a fight in which his head hit the ice. Another player suffered a seizure after a fight in the AHL.”

The NHL says the topic will be addressed at this season’s general managers meeting in March., so watch this space….

Source: http://sports.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/abc/News/ContentPosting.aspx?isfa=1&feedname=CBC-SPORTS-V3&showbyline=True&date=true&newsitemid=fighting-survey090127

‘Barbarity’ rules NHL

Jon Heshka has written another commentary on the state of the NHL in the Canadian newspaper – The Province. The article discusses the current lack of respect sweeping through the game

“Despite denouncements by the league and rules against such conduct, players are hitting one another harder (into the boards or open-ice checks), hitting higher (in the head) and hitting with a weapon (a hockey stick) more than ever before. Lost is a respect for the game and a willingness to “cross the line” with late hits and cheap shots.”

You can read the full article here: http://www.theprovince.com/Sports/Barbarity+rules/1221208/story.html

Prison football

Former Plymouth Argyll goalkeeper, Luke McCormick (who was recently jailed after killing two young boys in a crash while drunk behind the wheel) has been signed up to for the Channings Wood Prison football team. Apparently, prison team officials have now sent a registration form to the South Devon League requesting McCormick be allowed to play for their Division Two side.

League secretary Lisa Buley told Sky News Online: “I think it’s poor taste him getting permission to play, but our hands have been tied by the FA. Personally, as a mother-of-two, I don’t think he should be allowed to because those two little boys he killed will not play football again, but we can’t bring our personal views into it.

The final say now rests with the prison’s governor Jeannine Hendrick, who is understood to be backtracking on McCormick’s league registration. The prison refused to discuss the matter when contacted by Sky. A spokeswoman would only say: “We do not comment on individual prisoners.”

Source: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Luke-McCormick-Causes-Storm-After-Being-Signed-Up-To-Play-For-Prison-Football-Team/Article/200901415210692?f=rss

Coin throwing incident

“The man who appeared in court in Birmingham today charged with throwing a coin at an assistant referee during this season’s Villa Park encounter between Aston Villa and Portsmouth is a company director, it has been revealed. 43-year-old John Billington threw the coin into the crowd as a an act of frustration at the 0-0 draw he was witnessing. The 50 pence piece unfortunately connected with linesman Phil Sharp’s forehead, leaving the official with a 1.5cm cut and knocking him off his feet. A police inquiry was launched into the incident immediately, and the police were able to use CCTV footage to establish from which row of seats the object had been thrown.

Mr. Billington, the managing director of an engineering firm and the father of two daughters aged six and ten, was “profoundly ashamed” according to his defence lawyer, gave himself up soon afterwards and today in court admitted the offence. The judge adjourned sentencing until February 5, but Mr. Billington was told to expect a football banning order of at least three years in addition to a community punishment.”

Source: http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1445/aston-villa/2009/01/15/1062923/when-coin-throwing-fan-turns-a-managing-director

‘From Fights to Bites’

Jon Heshka has recently published a passionate commentary on Ice Hockey violence within the National Hockey League (NHL) in Canada. Definitely worth a read as it illustrates the downward spiral of excessive violence currently plaguing the sport.

Source: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/from_fights_to_bites.html

Gerrard arrested

UPDATE: Steven Gerrard appeared in Southport Magistrate’s court with two other defendants (Ian Smith & John Doran). All three have been granted bail and are due to return to court on March 20th. Gerrrard pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and affray.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jan/23/steven-gerrard-assault-charge

 

Steven Gerrard MBE was arrested on Monday December 29th following a fight at the Lounge Inn, Southport. He had gone there on Sunday evening with friends following Liverpool’s win at Newcastle. Allegedly McGee (the victim) had been in charge of the bar’s music system and had refused to let Gerrard select a song. According to witnesses, Gerrard then pushed past McGee catching him with his elbow. Mr McGee then retaliated and swore at Gerrard, at which point one of Gerrard’s friends allegedly smashed a beer bottle over McGee’s head. McGee was taken to hospital where he received four stitches to his forehead and treatment on a cut nose, swollen eye and dislodged tooth. Police have arrested Gerrard and five other men in relation to the incident. All are charged with Affray and Assualt occasioning Actual Bodily Harm and are due to appear before magistrates on January 23rd.

Source: Daily Mail, The Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article5412689.ece, BBC Online: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7802932.stm