good news first.
Pepe Reina was the makeshift translator in his efforts to persuade Austrian referee Konrad Plautz to give David Villa the match ball, a tradition after a player scores a hat trick.
It is an unspoken rule that was born in British football, indicating that anyone who scores three goals has the right to take the match ball, which he gets his teammates to sign afterward.
Plautz, who manages a machinery company and directs at an amateur theatre, did not understand this, when Villa made his way over in search of the ball after the Spain-Russia match, in which he scored three of his side's four goals. [...]
When he could not make the referee understand, el Guaje turned first to midfielder Xabi Alonso, who tried to explain the situation to him in English. [...]
There was no way, Plautz said, as he made his way off the pitch with the ball. But on his way to the showers he encountered Reina, who convinced him, after going over the issue once again, to give Villa his deserved prize.
GIVE ME THE BALL. NO, IT'S MINE. NO, BUT I EARNED IT!!!! NO, BUT I'M THE REF. ... GUYS, HELP??? Too funny for words.
Julio Grondona, the president of the AFA, confirmed Tuesday that defender Martin Demichelis will not be released by Bayern Munich to take part in the Olympic Games, due to the fact that his manager, Karl Rummenigge, "is very regimented and nothing can oblige him."
"The problem that we have with Demichelis is unsolvable because Bayern Munich has Rummenigge for a president, a very regimented type, very serious on this topic, and not very flexible. The club has no obligation to yield him, and has to try to protect him. It's different with Javier Mascherano. It is possible to sort out his situation."
Argh. Part of me loves the idea of Masche going back to the Olympics to defend his gold, but I also don't want him to miss or otherwise get injured for the beginning of Liverpool's season, especially with CL qualifiers. Bawwwwww, cry moar.