Merson On Chelsea Star and Bonser on Racism
By Neil Ravenscroft
October 21 2004
It's a case of congratulations all round for the club today - well there are for Manager Paul Merson and, for a change, Jeff Bonser and Roy Whalley.
October 21 2004
It's a case of congratulations all round for the club today - well there are for Manager Paul Merson and, for a change, Jeff Bonser and Roy Whalley.
Paul Merson has given a long interview to the press sympathising with the plight of Chelsea star Adrian Mutu, who has now admitted cocaine abuse. Merson himself admitted the use of the drug during his playing career at Arsenal and received help from the club, the FA and the Professional Footballer's Association to help him over his problems. He ended up spending six weeks in a rehabilitation clinic in November 1994 and escaped a ban completely.
Chelsea have a reputation for dealing severely with these matters in the past, as witnessed by them tearng up the contract of Mark Bosnich when he was caught, but Merson has put in a plea for help for the Romanian International.
"People should help Mutu rather than throw the book at him - I don't think that is the way of doing it.
Chelsea could sack him, that would be up to them, but they paid £15 million for him so I think that would be a bad call. He is only 25, he can come back from this but he needs help. That's my opinion.
It is a recreational drug, it's not a performance-enhancing drug but, if he has a problem, I think he definitely needs help with this."
He went on to say that the problem is not one of the money that players are paid:-
"There are loads and loads of players on big money but they don't do drugs. Look at Ryan Giggs, he is a top player, he plays for the biggest club and gets big money but he's never done it."
Mutu is presently reported to have been given psychiatric help to try to solve his problems.
In the meantime, there has been criticism in the past that the club has not made enough of the "Let's Kick Racism Out Of Football" week, but that seems to have changed with a high profile statement on the club web site from the Chairman today. Jeff Bonser says:-
"I am looking for our supporters to demonstrate that the only thing that interests them is to come along to Bescot Stadium and support the team. I have emphasised, and Paul Merson totally supports the view, that Walsall Football Club represents the entire community. The doors at Bescot Stadium are open, and we welcome support, involvement and participation, at every level, from all sections of the community regardless of race, creed, colour or religion.
We want to play our part in creating racial harmony in Walsall and anyone not prepared to show tolerance and respect to fellow supporters is not welcome at Bescot Stadium."
Well said, Jeff, let's hope we can make the day go with a bang on Saturday.
Chelsea have a reputation for dealing severely with these matters in the past, as witnessed by them tearng up the contract of Mark Bosnich when he was caught, but Merson has put in a plea for help for the Romanian International.
"People should help Mutu rather than throw the book at him - I don't think that is the way of doing it.
Chelsea could sack him, that would be up to them, but they paid £15 million for him so I think that would be a bad call. He is only 25, he can come back from this but he needs help. That's my opinion.
It is a recreational drug, it's not a performance-enhancing drug but, if he has a problem, I think he definitely needs help with this."
He went on to say that the problem is not one of the money that players are paid:-
"There are loads and loads of players on big money but they don't do drugs. Look at Ryan Giggs, he is a top player, he plays for the biggest club and gets big money but he's never done it."
Mutu is presently reported to have been given psychiatric help to try to solve his problems.
In the meantime, there has been criticism in the past that the club has not made enough of the "Let's Kick Racism Out Of Football" week, but that seems to have changed with a high profile statement on the club web site from the Chairman today. Jeff Bonser says:-
"I am looking for our supporters to demonstrate that the only thing that interests them is to come along to Bescot Stadium and support the team. I have emphasised, and Paul Merson totally supports the view, that Walsall Football Club represents the entire community. The doors at Bescot Stadium are open, and we welcome support, involvement and participation, at every level, from all sections of the community regardless of race, creed, colour or religion.
We want to play our part in creating racial harmony in Walsall and anyone not prepared to show tolerance and respect to fellow supporters is not welcome at Bescot Stadium."
Well said, Jeff, let's hope we can make the day go with a bang on Saturday.
View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon