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Wayne Rooney |
(WAToday) - England striker Wayne Rooney was blocked from discussing his religious beliefs by a Football Association official at the World Cup.
Rooney had offered an insight into his Catholic faith by explaining why he wears a prominent cross and rosary beads around his neck when he's not playing.
He said: "I've been wearing them for about four years now and you don't usually watch training (to see them.) I obviously can't wear them in games. It's my religion."
That prompted a further question.
But Mark Whittle, the FA's head of media relations, interrupted Rooney in the off-camera briefing by saying: "We don't do religion."
Whittle's comment was reminiscent of a brusque "We don't do God" remark made to a reporter by Alastair Campbell as he intervened during an interview during his time as director of strategy and communications to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Beckenbauer blast
Returning to matters on the field, Rooney was scathing about Franz Beckenbauer's criticism of England's performance in a 1-1 draw with the United States.
Germany legend Beckenbeuer said watching England was a step back to the dark ages of "kick and rush" football.
"That is his opinion and he is entitled to it," Rooney said. "But we don't listen to what he has to say. We certainly don't play kick and rush and we don't take any notice of his comments."
Rooney also rejected suggestions emanating from the American camp that England had been paralysed by fear in their opening match.
"What did they have? Two or three shots on goal from distance and one good chance? I don't think there was any fear for them. We didn't get the win but we took the game to them and certainly didn't play with fear.
"We started the game really well and overall I think we deserved to win. Unfortunately we didn't but now we look forward to the second game on Friday (against Algeria) and I'm sure we will take three points.
"We wanted a win but a draw was not the worst result and it gives us something to move on from."
Capello shock
England manager Fabio Capello said he was surprised by Beckenbauer's comments.
"When you speak about another team you should always respect them," he told BBC radio.
"It is easy to speak about a team when you sit in the stand. But you have to see the game live.
"We didn't play the long ball. We played a lot of passes and had chances to score.
"For this reason, I don't understand what Beckenbauer said."
Capello is equally unhappy with the controversial Jabulani ball, produced by manufacturers specifically for this tournament.
"This is the worst ball that I have seen in my life," he said.
"It is terrible for the players.
"It is terrible for the keepers because it is impossible to follow the trajectory.
"When you try to switch the ball with long passes it is really difficult to understand where it is going to go.
"But the really big problem is that sometimes this ball is impossible to control."
My popadija was just saying this afternoon as we were watching the Brazil game that soccer players are probably the most religious of athletes - we keep seeing players cross themselves Serbian, Brazil, etc. Basketball players, on the other hand, seem to be more and more tattooed; football, well there's Troy Polamalu who crosses himself after every play.
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Troy is the exception. I'd say it has to do with the high count of Protestants in the sport. They do pray before and after games, but certainly not many people crossing themselves. As for basketball... very true.
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