While Australians can sympathise with the frustrations experienced during the recent World Cup campaign, no one saw the ensuing ‘cat-fight’ between former team mates Robbie Slater and Harry Kewell coming.
The infamous article with Slater’s by-line attached to it enraged Aussie football fans and even prompted Kewell to get on the phone to Slater from his home in Turkey to have it out with him on air.
With Simon Hill acting as the mediator, the debate almost boiled over when Kewell started accusing Slater of being a ‘liar’ and ‘jealous’ of him.
Irrelevant questions about if Harry was fit and dredging up how many minutes he had played in the lead up to the World Cup also cropped up, leading the discussion in an awkward direction.
Now in the aftermath, the rest of the Australian football public are left to question: who is to blame for all of this?
With bloggers claiming that Slater should take full responsibility for his actions and name the mystery player accused of telling Kewell to ‘f… off,’ the more appropriate thing to ask is: is there any point?
The damage has already been done, to not only the relationship of former teammates, but to the credibility of Robbie Slater’s reputation as a panellist on Fox Sports.
Furthermore, angry fans are accusing Fox Sports for playing a part in a conversation that should have taken place between Robbie and Harry privately.
From an outsiders perspective, watching what Kewell has so appropriately called a ‘circus’, one can imagine it’s only going to get worse as this continues to unfold.
Media bounty hunters like the Daily Telegraph have offered a list of potential culprits that are said to have been present at the night in question.
Those implicated include Tim Cahill, Scott Chipperfield, Lucas Neil and Craig Moore, none of which have confirmed or denied the claims.
SBS blogger Jesse Fink has also alluded to the fact that he, too, knows the identity of the phantom player, but like Slater, refuses to reveal it.
Additionally, the FFA has declined to intervene, saying they have more pressing issues to confront and it “does not intend to become involved in the matter.”
Throughout it all, what is obvious is that Slater chose to protect the identity of one player and not the other and any further investigation into the matter is only going to damage the image of Australian football.
We already have a poor reputation for attacking our own through the media and at a time when our lads need it the most, we verbally open fire and in effect, belittle everything they have done for this country.
Slater openly came out and said he is entitled to an opinion and that Kewell was ‘overreacting’ but how much of it is opinion and how much of it just bad manners?
Slater has said he will stand by his words and believes that his opinion was bizarrely “balanced.”
He continued to say he hopes he and Kewell can “move on” from this but the only thing that needs moving on from here on out are ‘journalists’ like Slater.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Yup, Art. I distinctly remember this incident and was surprised b/c, from all I've observed of Bresc, he is an absolute gentleman - on & off the field - so I wondered what would have made him act in this way. Now I know. Seems like the whole National Team hates Arnold and this caused the conflict. I don't reckon there is any disharmony within the team. Whenever you see the lads training (I was lucky to see them live) there is genuine laughter and jokes that cannot be contrived. I reckon the problems with Arnie goes all the way back to the 2007 Asia Cup. After the loss to Iraq, in a FoxSports post-match interview, Arnold immediately bagged the players and insinuated some "weren't trying", which is the worst thing anyone can say about a professional sportsman. I've never ever heard a coach show such public dilooyalty - in any sport. A few minutes later, the interviewer spoke to Viduka (who was captain) and mentioned Arnie's remarks and the Duke was noticeable shocked but, ever the diplomat, he didn't bag Arnie. Interestingly, Viduka retired from the National Team after that tournament and could never be coaxed back - even to captain the National Team at a World Cup. Now, I'm left to wonder if Viduka would have played in Sth Africa if Arnie were not on the coaching staff? I've sen guys like Arnie in various work environments over the years. They succeed by mastering the "art of deflection". Nothing is ever their fault (Aussie Football fans are still waiting for Arnie to explain the poor Olyroos performance in 2008) and they will back-stab and spread rumours, if it means it progresses their own career. The sad thing, I really had a high regard for Arnie during his playing days. I was so proud that we had an Aussie playing in the Dutch league. Now, I can't wait for CCM to come to AAMI Park. The MVFC lads will unequivocally tell Arnie for real what Arnie claims Harry was told at dinner!
Football Fan
Guest
Paddy, I suggest your read your initial remark RE Slater and Journalism. In your anger you are losing yourself. All I'm asking is that people look at this rationally. I do tend to agree with something Kewell said during the discussion - that the media tend to make these things much more overblown incidents than they actually are. I believe he referred to it as a 'circus' and I tend to agree. Instead of sound analysis of the facts or the intention of Slater's article, we get hysterical overreactions from people who are not in any way connected to the article or the larger story. Sadly and unfortunately, this kind of rubbish only seems to happen in Australian football.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Hey Mid, how does it feel being a CCM supporter at the moment after this weeks shenanigans?
Paddy
Guest
Football fan - whether or not Slater has labelled himself as a 'serious journalist' is irrelevant. He stepped over the line with this attempt. Who honestly believes that Kewell deserves to be retired from the Socceroos because he has had a horror injury run. If the manager decides not to pick him for a game/tournament for reasons of form or because he is injured and can't play then fair enough. But to retire him on that basis is a ridiculous call. And lets not even get into the discussion of the depth of quality of players that Australia has. It's not so much about questioning a sacred cow, more about hearing a donkey trying to make himself heard.
Midfielder
Guest
This is why Harry still rates high he just has something most don't have...
Football fan
Guest
Paddy - if there are other folks out there who can do it then let them raise their head and have a go instead of taking cheap shots. Slater's article was about Kewell and his worth to the socceroos so of course it is prudent to use a Kewell-based example. You'll see from the many blogs and Q&A sessions Slater does on Fox Sports that he has not once ever claimed to be a serious journalist. As a comparison - is James Hird or Tom Harley considered to be a serious journalist when they pass comment during the AFL or tell stories from other camps? Similarly Gordon Tallis or Laurie Daley on an NRL show? The only thing Slater has done wrong here is dare to question a sacred cow - and look at what is happening.
Paddy
Guest
Football fan - I can't believe you've got it so wrong. I don't even know where to start. First of all this is an attempt by Robbie Slater to style himself as a serious journalist with a major story. Unfortunately for him he has misstepped badly and just produced a cheap shot. To have a go at Harry and yet take a stand to protect the privacy of the 'player' that allegedly had a go at Harry is weak to say the very least. Slater has had his time and I think we're all sick of his overly simplistic football analysis and commentary. Surely there are better 'former players' out there that can step up.
Football fan
Guest
I don't understand why everyone is ripping Slater - all he has done is present the story as he understands it. Sure, he may have been a bit clumsy in how he got it across but it's important to remind ourselves that he's not a journalist in any definition of the role - he is a former player who is paid to provide opinion and analysis on football - that is what he was doing. Robbie Slater has done more hard yards for football in our country than a lot of other folk who are happy to pot him from the sidelines when something like this happens.
apaway
Guest
Lucy, the tone of your article seems to suggest that the person who allegedly told Harry Kewell to f... off, and Robbie Slater's informant, are the same person. However, Slater's article suggested that this was not the case, and Bernie Mandic named Graham Arnold as the source. Whether it was Arnold or not, Slater is protecting the identity of 2 people - his source, and the player his source named. In effect, he has written an article based on third party information, which is as irresponsible as any "journalist" could be.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Its time for a Friday funny, betty b. This one stars G. Arnold :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DekpfPxNOZQ Someone should get there hands on Bresh's World Cup diary ;)
betty b
Guest
oh yesh! Harry's the man. Shame on anyone forever doubting him. Thanks Art. And as for who's to blame - the more I read the more it turns to G. Arnold. Slater seems to be trying to earn a reputation for himself - bad one mainly.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Thanks, Art! That second assist was pure Harry MAGIC! That's the type of player that gets football fans through the turnstiles. As far as I'm concerned the name H Kewell should be the 1st name picked for our National Team - even before Schwarzer. We have many extremely good replacements for Schwarzer but, as far as I'm concerned there will always be only ONE HARRY KEWELL!
Art Sapphire
Guest
Harry's still got - this morning he single-handedly saved Galatasaray's blushes in their Europa cup qualifier with 2 assists. Thanks Robbie for firing him up :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDlbsJNEeJQ&feature=related
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Yup, in sport intra-squad disharmony happens. 1. Netherlands * 2010 WC, the Dutch were a "Cassilas big-toe" away from winning the trophy, but earlier their coach had to admit not all his players get along. Van Marwick, told the media: "Being friendly with each other is not important so it doesn’t concern me. Yes, there are some situations. That is the way of it. Some players don’t like each other; it is not important. It doesn’t concern me and it doesn’t concern them.” http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/dutch-thrive-on-disharmonic-convergence--fbintl_ro-dutch063010.html 2. England * During the era of Beckham, the Neville Brothers and Scholes it was an "open secret" that players from Man United and players from Liverpool hated each other and little cliques would form. 3. Sweden * in the days leading up to the 2002 WC, Olof Mellberg & Freddie Ljungberg had a fight at training that was beamed around the world http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On4t0ZKi3F4 4. And, closer to home, in the AFL Mrs Edwards and Mrs Mrs McLeod caused permanent damage to the relationship between former best friends Adelaide players Tyson Edwards & Andy McLeod. And this conflict was (apparently)caused by the relationship break-up of tennis players Leyton Hewitt & Kym Clijsters! http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/sunday-heraldsun/twists-in-the-tale-of-a-bitter-family-feud/story-e6frf92f-1111112361571 Is it the media, or do we all just love being voyeurs?
Rob of Perth
Guest
My sources tell me that on of the fox sports FC panel member told Robbie Slacker to " Eff off"
rovers2011
Guest
i prefer to see this playing out in public as well. People closer to the game will have been aware of much of this with past squads, but for us chump fans its nice to have a bit of extra insight to whats going on. Happens with most national teams around the world, with the frictions between players from different clubs and background. Expect to see more of it as our NT players become more home-based. Will increase the tension but that can be a positive if managed.
Macs.football
Roar Rookie
Who's to blame? Robbie Slater, and fox sports and the daly telegraph for employing such an inept football pundit.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Nice column, Lucy and I particularly agree with your closing sentence .... let's hope Robbie reads it! Whilst I hated reading Slater's inflammatory article, the fact that this issue is getting so much attention is also an indication of how far Australian football has entered the minds of the wider community. 40 years ago, only football's true believers would have been aware of this stoush since Robbie's original article would never have appeared in the mainstream press. But, let's face it - in fighting occurs in sport as it occurs in every workplace (and family) around the world. Who can forget the way the French team imploded at this year's WC - heck, even the French Government got involved in this stoush! In AFL this year, past players Gary Lyon and Dermot Brereton launched a very personal attack on the current captain of the Hawthorn club, Sam Mitchell and I'd be surprised if Brereton can repair his relationship with Mitchell or the Hawthorn coach (Alistair Clarkson). The nature of life is that not everyone will get on with each other, so we shouldn't really be surprised when there's conflict.
mahony
Guest
Who cares. The whole thing ia a 'yawn fest'.....
Terry Henry
Guest
Nice one Lucy! Only Bozza can make them kiss and make up now.