Le Roy’s ‘play football’ sounds like ‘fuck you’ for Macala

"In my life I have a rule – I never say one bad word to anybody," Oman coach Claude Le Roy he said.

"The Bahrain coach (Macala) says that I said, 'fuck you'. I never say that in my life.

"Everything I say in the match is registered. I said these two words: 'play football'. (read full story)

By the way, what could be the French way of saying “fuck you”? Finally, thank god, ROP didn’t book a case against Le Roy for uttering derogatory word in public. I love these off-field action, makes my day. Thank you, Macala and Le Roy. I feel sad not because Bahrain couldn’t make it to the semis, but because Macala isn’t around anymore. Omani journalists (Arabic press) just hate him and it is no secret that a few editorials against Macala in the largest selling Arabic daily in Oman cost him his job after the last GCC Cup in Abu Dhabi a couple of year ago.

Bader Al-Maymani ripped off his top to reveal a t-shirt bearing the words 'Our hearts with Gaza' in Arabic in a show of solidarity with Palestinians caught in the ongoing Israel offensive. He then bowed his head to referee Bernard Link as the inevitable booking for removing his shirt came his way.

Cool, Bader got a chance and he displayed his support for the Palestinian cause. What about other 9 players (minus Fawzi Basheer) who were clad in t-shirts carrying a variety of messages and were waiting in wings to show case their graffiti. No goals, no t-shirt display, oops. Hope they will get lucky in semis.

Still on Bader’s t-shirt, I wonder what would happen if his t-shirt got mixed up in the laundry section of Al Bustan Palace Hotel. It is 4pm and the team management is asking Bader to get ready in a jiffy. He pulls over his jersey along with the t-shit in a hurry to catch the team bus. After three hours, he scores a goal, and pompously lifts his jersey to show his Gaza t-shirt. Alas, that isn’t going well with the fans who jeer him. Perturbed, Bader checks his t-shirt…and is shocked to see Pamela Anderson smiling at him!

PS: Moral brigade, please don’t read between lines. I love the Omani soccer team as much as you do.