ONTD FOOTBALL

Edit: Okay, about whether the interview is legit. First I'd like to say if it were just random quote I came across online, I wouldn't have bothered to post it, let alone to translate it, for its dubious credibility. Now, I can't say every line in this interview is exactly how it's originally said (the "original" is a translation itself, after all) or that the reporter didn't change or twist something when he was happily transcribing. But the magazine is a pretty serious one. It's a member of the European Sports Magazines and partners to Frace Football, Don Balon etc...I know I know, it doesn't mean they don't write bullshit at all, and I have to say it can be biased or ill-informed in its commentaries as every other sports paper/mag. But as far as interviews go they're quite decent. They have reporters working in Europe to conduct the interviews personally. That's why I believe they at least didn't make the whole interview up. I'll just add the pics that come with it (sorry for the crappy quality, that's what happens when you don't have a scanner) - I'm willing to believe they're taken at this particular interview, but if someone know otherwise please tell me. Then I can delete this whole post because god knows I'd be GLAD if Busquets and Pedro didn't say this whole bunch of rubbish after all.

And for those who doubt if European players do interviews with Asian media - yes they do. I know a Japanese mag ran a column to which a few RM players took turn to contribute - probably written by their PR people, but still a Japanese fan said they were fun to read, as there were usually some anecdotes that weren't seen elsewhere, and it read like the players were talking a little more freely than they do to the local press.

Edit II: In response to some of the comments - just because it's a "random Chinese magazine" doesn't automatically makes it a big fat unscrupulous liar. And I repeat: yes European players do give interviews to the Asian press. But no, there's no proof in the form of audio or video or whatever of whether the interview is legit or not. The most I can tell you about this magazine is as I've said above. It's up to you to decide.

***

I'm so getting over the clasicos already, but then there's this interview in a newly released issue of a football magazine, which is...well, let's just say it's a terrific read when you're really bored, coz it makes you laugh, yell, swear, face palm, tear at your hair, have an urge to throw something out of the window and stab at your pillow all at the same time.

In this exclusive interview with Football Weekly, two lovely souls that are senor Sergio Busquets and senor Pedro Rodriguez have something very insightful to say on the criticisms against them after the clasicos, Real Madrid and their NT teammates...

*Original in Chinese, translated by moi
**This is not the full translation of the interview, as 1) I'm to lazy to do so and 2) there're things that are irrelevant to the clasico topic. But to each question the answers are translated fully. So nothing is taken out of context.



 

 





Q: The four clasicos are over, but the controversies aren't. And people talk most about you being actors.

SB: Those people have an agenda. They want to make it look as if only Madrid players were playing football. I think it's a shameless thing to do. Even those who don't understand football can tell which side was playing and which side simply didn't allow their opponents to play. My question is, what is acting and what isn't? To run into people and push and shove them? Or to have your leg broken, bleed and pass out? I don't understand.

PR: When people say "theatre" and "actors", I don't take them as insults. Camp Nou itself is a theatre that can contain 100,000 people. People come here to watch a show of football, and the players are the actors. So I really don't care that some people say we're acting. The fact is, we give our audience the best football show every match.

Q: Another heated topic is that refs favoured Barca.

SB: This will create an unhealthy trend: when you win, you are helped by refs. When you lose, you're the victim of unfair officiating. If this goes on we won't be able to play any more. What baffles me more is that, usually only small clubs make such complaints. But now it's Madrid that did this. Like I said, it baffles. me.

PR: I feel the same. I'm neither from Madrid nor Barcelona. Perhaps due to historical factors, there are lots of Madrid fans on Islas Canarias. The club has hardly ever disappointed them, and has always been gracious in victory and defeat. But the Madrid as it is now baffles me. As "the best club of the century" as named by FIFA, how come they suddenly see FIFA and UEFA as their persecutors? But I believe not every madridistas think that way. I have lots of madridista friends myself, and none of them balme their loss on me or the refs.

Q: The official broadcaster of Real Madrid repeatedly showed the footage of Busquets falling to the ground. What do you think about this?

SB: My lawyer asked me if I wanted to sue them [seriously? For what?], but I said no. It's too tedious. Why don't they just set up a new rule and say it's okay to kick and hit people, but not okay to fall down?

PR: They also showed footage of me falling down again and again. I was livid, but what could I do? Show them medical proofs? Or tell them some injuries may last but some only hurt a bit and for a while? What hurts me most is, Madrid is such a powerful club, and yet there're still so many people speaking for them, saying all Barca players are divers, and when Madrid players go down, they are genuinely fouled. [Did anyone actually say that? I for one never read or heard of anything like this.]

Q: Did the four clasicos become the face-off between La Roja players from the two sides?

SB: Nothing as serious as that. We play for different clubs, and tempers may run high on field. But once it's over, everything cools down.

PR: I must admit that there were indeed some complaints after the four games. I for one was upset with Arbeloa. He clearly knocked me over but didn't say anything about it afterwards. The whole world said I dove, and he didn't speak up for me. But now that I've calmed down, I can see there's nothing he could have said. He's a Madrid player, it's impossible for him to defend me. I believe as time goes on, everyone will cool down, and everything will be forgotten when we return to the NT.

Q: Even Casillas, who's captain and usually doesn't complain, was not his usual self.

SB: I think Casillas was the most important player that helped Madrid won Copa del Rey. Without him, we would have won them by a wide margin [really?]. I'm proud to have him as a teammate in the NT. As for what he said after the matches, we can understand. He had wanted to win so badly.

PR: I don't agree with what Casillas said. As the captain of La Roja, he should have some respect for all NT players in the Barca camp. I believe when we return to the NT, Casillas will give an explanation [again, seriously?].