Will Sardines Be Thrown Into The Sea?!
June 2005
Behrou G.

Few fans remember Eric Cantona's encryptive response to reporters at a post match conference in January 1995. But most have not forgotten the incident that involved Football's bad boy, earlier that day. After being ejected by the referee in an away match to Crystal Palace, the Manchester United star assaulted one of the fans with a Kung-Fu style kick as he was walking off the pitch.

His puzzling response to reporters in the post match conference was "When the seagulls... follow the trawler... it's because they think... sardines will be thrown... into the sea." His punishment for the assault was 120 hours of community service and a ban from professional football until October of the following year by The Football Association.

Another football star left reporters and fans just as bewildered earlier this week, when he was involved in a similar incident. Iran's national team captain and the top international goal scorer of all time, Ali Daei, assaulted a fan prior to his team's away match in Anzali's Takhti stadium. In a surprise move, the stadium's security forces removed and arrested the fan and contrary to Article 68 of FIFA's Disciplinary Code which states "anyone who provokes the general public during a match will be suspended for 2 matches and sanctioned with a minimum fine of CHF 5,000," captain Daei went on to start the match!

But the drama did not end there. Daei argued with a Malavan player and exchanged words with his own goalie during the match. In minute 66, being dismayed by an offside decision from the match official, the Captain led his team off the field - a rare display in professional football!

As if these two incidents were not already a slap in the face for FIFA regulations, the team was persuaded by team officials to return to the field and the match was allowed to continue - contrary to Article 69 of FIFA's Disciplinary Code relating to match abandonment. No punishment has been handed out to Daei or Saba Battery by the Iranian Football Federation (IFF).

In lieu of these events, many football fans in Iran have been left with a nagging question: "Why should Daei be treated any differently than other footballers in the world?" A question, which gains more validity, considering Mr. Daei's hefty supply contract with the IFF for clothing and equipment. Drawing parallels with the Cantona incident, one can not help but wonder, if there are some Seagulls at the IFF who are following the Captain because they think Sardines will be thrown into the sea!


(Author's note: This article was submitted to ISP in June 2005, published for a few hours and removed permanantly after objections from undisclosed persons.)

Thanks Behroo

YouTube - Eric Cantona Post-Kung Fu Kick Press Conference

I loved the part where he took a sip of his water during his speach, smooth operator.

PS. I think this down memory lane part should be repeated every weak/month, bringing back a moment in footbal 2/5/10/15 etc years ago. Not persé with an article written by our members, but just a (important) moment in time be it National or International football. And also I think something like quote of the day/weak would be good too, if people had time to search.

That's a good article Behrou.

No wonder why Daie and others in power in Iran feel they are above the law. There is no accountability in that place what so ever, from IFF all the way down to AN. :hammer:

Very nice one Behrou jan. Enjoyed reading it. You had sent this one to ISP and they didn't post it?

Wow Kasra, how do you even find this stuff so fast?! I had never seen the actual interview, only read about it. Thank God, there was no paraphrasing in my article! ;)

Hamid... The worst part is that it was considered Taboo even writing this type of article and shedding light on the behind-the-scenes issues in Iranian Football. 4 years later and for the exact reason of tucking things under the rug, Daei has cost us two world-cups. I think organizations that embark on this type of self censorship and satisfying the satus quo, share as much blame as people like Daei and the IFF.

Pedram... ^^ They posted it, but it was removed right away due to objection from higher-up, whatever that means! ;)

I'm glad you guys likes it though. :)

That's unbelievable to remove an article that is based on facts just because someone did not like it!!!!

Anyway, did this incident get any exposure within Iranian media?

Nice article.
I have always held my own opinion on footballers and the abuse they get from fans but it's controversial. I will write a general piece on this when I get a chance.

Anyway, did this incident get any exposure within Iranian media?

It got some coverage Hamid jaan, but for most parts it was tucked under the carpet in the good old Iranian fashion., When there's so much slef-censorship even outside the country, how much can we expect from organizations inside the country? And this wasn't even a political piece.