British we are and British we stay... but I love my Barça

"British we are and British we stay... but I love my Barça"!

That's the phrase I once saw on a banner hanging out of a balcony on one of Gibraltar's many often flag draped apartment blocks... on the eve of another big football night, such as the one we have tonight... with the UEFA Champions League final between Spain's Barcelona v the UK's Red Devils of Manchester United.

Gibraltar is a place full of passions. Gibraltarians are particularly passionate (mostly) over our politics, when it concerns Spain and our sovereignty. Historically, one of the very few places in the old British Empire... who never said "Brits OUT"... in fact quite the reverse... we've always said (and voted) that Gibraltar will be "British Forever"! We've shouted it from the rooftops... and from our balconies and windows.

On any given day, Union Jack flags can still be seen, side by side with Gibraltar's red and white flag, hanging from windows on residential buildings. Now and then, in times of heightened crisis with our neighbour Spain... these become a wall of red, white and blue!

Yes... Gibraltarians are very passionately, sometimes blindingly and stubbornly so... about being British! Long may it last I say!

Which all brings me to think, that the peculiar passion that a significantly large group of Gibraltarians feel... for their Barça... FC Barcelona, is all the more incongruous!

You see, in Gibraltar, despite our very strong anti-Spanish feelings (a strange and mixed up melange of sentiments to be explored another time but mostly aimed at the politics and government of Spain and not its people, traditions or culture particularly), but in Gibraltar, there exists a large group of people, including a supporter's club that support FC Barcelona!

This is something that I have always found very odd. There are those who go further, calling these supporters of Barça traitors! These, it has to be said, are in a minority and it is a more extreme view... but many of us do get a little irritated by this support for a Spanish team, that's for sure... and remain a touch confused by it!

When asked... or challenged for their support of Barça, their explanation is that they don't see Barça as a 'Spanish' team. They argue, somewhat illogically to my mind, that Barcelona is Catalan and not Spanish.

Of course, Barcelona IS the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, a region in the north east Spain... but it still remains and is the second largest city of Spain.

Gibraltar's Barça supporters argue that Barcelona sets itself apart from Spain, with its long tradition of rebellious autonomy. In the days of the Franco regime the Catalan culture was very much repressed throughout the duration of his dictatorship. Gibraltarians also relate to the fact that Catalans are widely bilingual, much as we are, speaking Spanish and Catalan.

So, in short, the fact is that many in Gibraltar support Barcelona FC... strange but there you have it. Personally, while it's not for me... I like the idea, that even when we, as Gibraltarians, can feel such strong passions for our British sovereignty, when it comes to football, some of us can, rather quirkily, find it in our hearts to support a Spanish team. There's something very healthy and sane in that concept!

As for the game tonight... I very much hope we will enjoy a great spectacle and good fair football... with the eventual result of a good win... for the British 'Red Devils'!

In the event that Barça do win... Gibraltar can expect the usual noisy celebrations, with cars full of loud Barça supporters honking their way round town to congregate at the 'Fuente del Capullo', the roundabout at the bottom of Watergardens, for rowdy goings on which will no doubt go on... long into the night... or as long as the beer at the nearby petrol stations lasts!

C'mon you British Reeeeedds!!


More news and info here: BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Barcelona v Man Utd

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Date: Wed, 27 May Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: Live on ITV1 and Sky Sports 1, BBC Radio Five Live, BBC Radio Manchester; BBC Sport website.

Chelsea robbed in Champions League semi final

I'm no Chelsea supporter, though as the English team, I would have loved to have seen them win tonight... especially to naff off Michelle haw hee haw Platini, and have an all English Champions League Final.

But... it wasn't to be!

Due to some amazing blind refereeing, ten man Barcelona, in the 93rd minute, equalised and won the night on the away goal rule!

I've just sat through watching the replays. If I was a Chelsea supporter... I would be VERY VERY annoyed to say the least.

Chelsea were quite simply robbed by the Referee... and by the linesmen! There were at least three clear instances when a penalty should have been given! One would have thought they would have been awarded AT LEAST one of them!!

I can't recall every feeling sorry for them before but tonight... my commiserations go out to all Chelsea supporters!

To my mind, there should be some inquiry over the quality of the refereeing tonight. At best, it was appalling... at worse... well, I wouldn't want to say on the grounds that I fear my comment would be libelous! Disgraceful refereeing!

All I can say is... C'Mon you Reddddddsssss in the Final!!

I take my hat off to... Frank Lampard... for standing up for himself!

The Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard angrily phoned a London Radio station to round on a DJ who said he was "scum" for splitting up with the mother of his two children!

Lampard said the LBC 97.3 DJ James O'Brien was an "idiot" for upsetting his family on the first anniversary of his mother's death.

He also rejected suggestions that he'd treated his former partner badly since they split.... and I take my hat off to him for having the courage to stand up for himself in the face of this type of unacceptable intrusion by broadcasters into a footballer's private life!

I'm no Chelsea supporter... but I've long been an admirer of Frank Lampard... an exceptional footballer, a great role model and example to all... of a consumate professional.

Like Ballack, his playing colleague at Chelsea, I can't believe Lampard missed the shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association's player of the year award.

Lampard has played a key role in Chelsea's recent run of only one defeat in their last 13 matches.

He set up both goals as Chelsea beat Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final, and put in an inspirational performance in last week's dramatic 4-4 draw with Liverpool that saw Chelsea progress to the Champions League semi-finals.

Ballack, who plays alongside Lampard and Michael Essien in Chelsea's midfield, remains adamant the England international should have made the final six.

"It is easy to play with Frank because he is such a good player," Ballack explained.

"He knows what myself and Michael have to do and whether we should be in an offensive or defensive position.

I play a little bit behind him but I don't have to tell him what to do. He always does the right thing, depending on where myself and Essien are.

Frank is one of the best players in the world for sure and I don't think there are many players in the Premier League like him."

I couldn't agree more... and I take my hat off to him... Good on yer Frankie!

You can hear Lampard's phone call to LBC here:

Smithy tells England footie stars... what we always wanted to say

This was one of the best sketches on 'Red Nose Day' on the Beeb on Friday night.

Gavin and Stacey's 'Smithy' (James Corden) stumbled upon members of the England football squad whilst working on a plumbing job at their team hotel.

The charismatic handyman quickly takes the opportunity to deliver a unique team talk in order to inspire the players.

The England team players, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham, David James, Peter Crouch, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick... all benefit from Smithy's undoubted wisdom... and tells them what we all probably would have loved to scream at them on many occasions!

Watch out for Beckham... who can't contain his laughter!

If you missed it on the day... you can still make a donation to Red Nose Day!

Mourinho 'assault' investigated

The BBC NEWS website is reporting today that the Greater Manchester Police are apparently investigating an allegation of common assault made against Jose Mourinho, following last night's Champions League tie.

It has been alleged the Inter Milan manager punched a supporter as he left Old Trafford stadium after his team's defeat by Manchester United.

Police have contacted United to request CCTV footage of the area and have confirmed a complaint has been made.

A spokesman for Manchester United confirmed they are aware of the allegation but made no further comment.

The fan is alleged to have chanted, "You're going home, you're going home" to the former Chelsea manager.

The man later went into Stretford police station, close to Old Trafford, to report the alleged attack.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said:

"Just before midnight on Wednesday 11 March 2009 a man reported he'd been punched in the face outside Old Trafford.

"Police are investigating this common assault allegation. Inquiries are ongoing."

The allegation came after Mourinho watched his team crash out of the Champions League after Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo scored for United at the start of each half.

Mourinho has come under attack from the Italian media for his failure to get Inter through to the last eight teams in the competition.

The plane taking the Inter party back to Milan left Manchester at 0025 GMT.

The fan, who is not from the Greater Manchester area, did not report any injuries to police after the alleged attack and did not need treatment.

I must say I am surprised to hear of the possibility that the 'special one' is capable of such an act... if this allegation is true of course.

I am particularly surprised that it wasn't the other way round! Whilst I would never condone this type of violence (there is at times a good case for other types)... how many of us can say we have never experienced the urge to give the 'special one' a good slap for his extreme displays of arrogance and conceit?? I know I have felt it!

Before any of you lay into me... I will add that I do respect the guy... in many other ways, for his skill in manipulating other managers and the press... and of course, not least his undoubted skills and success as a football manager... but I'd still like to slap him at times! lol

Will football commentators ever get foreign names right...

I watched the Spain v England game tonight... shame about the result. (Spain 2 v England 0 - England were well beaten by a very sharp side playing some excellent football... he said through gritted teeth!)

Anyhow... whilst I watched the game on ITV... I listenend to the match build-up and half time round up and assessments on BBC Radio's 5 Live.

Tonight, they had the admirable Roberto Martinez, presently enjoying great success as Swansea City manager, summarising and offering his country's view on the game. All very good... and he was excellent, eloquent and informed in his commentary. So... what's the problem?

The problem is that none of the 5 Live crew could get his name right! Neither the other commentators or presenter managed to pronounce Martinez properly... making listening, at least for me (and I imagine any other hispanic speaker also listening), highly irritating!

These sports commentators are supposed to be professionals, after all! You'd think they would just make a little effort to make sure they know how to pronounce names properly. One might wonder why Roberto Martinez didn't correct them. I expect he's probably too nice... and maybe is so used to it, he can't be bothered any more.

Not that I imagine they'll ever read this... but for the benefit of any other Brit wanting to know... the correct pronunciation for the name 'Martinez', phonetically, is : mar-TEE-ness. This doesn't work too well when it's written... so here is a great site for pronounciations where you can listen to it being pronounced properly: Inogolo - 'English Pronunciation Guide to the Names of People, Places, and Stuff'.

Will British sports commentators ever get hispanic names right? I doubt it! Exasperating!