Quote of the week Gianni Infantino – revealing what first attracted him to a new $6.5bn-valued 48-team World Cup format which guarantees $5m grants for all 211 Fifa voting members: “It was a football decision.” Stand of the week Slaven Bilic – “let down and angry” with Dimitri Payet trying to leave West Ham: “He’s our best player and that’s why we gave him a long contract. We gave him everything, we were always there for him. I expect him to show commitment.” (March 1997 – Harry Redknapp reveals he’s “bitter and angry “ with Slaven Bilic trying to leave West Ham: “He’s on a fantastic contract, the highest paid player in the club’s history. He signed it … Now he wants a move and feels Everton are a big club, so there’s nothing we can do. West Ham are a big club in our eyes, but he feels otherwise.” Bilic: “I had to do this. We are professionals – all players know, if anyone gets the chance of a big club, he must take it.”) • Payet’s view on contract loyalty: Feb 2016, signing his new five-year £125k-a-week West Ham deal. “For me it’s a big step, an enormous show of faith from the chairman and from the manager. I thank them for that. I’m proud and I’m happy to prolong my adventure with West Ham… All is well. The love affair continues.” Diego Costa: “unavailable” for Chelsea two weeks after his New Year message to fans: “I’m very happy, very content here... It’s good for us to have a manager who is not just a boss but a person we can talk to, someone whose support we can count on. We love him more all the time.” • Antonio Conte’s view on 3 Jan: “Last summer Diego told me: ‘I stay, I stay, I want to fight for this club, for my team-mates, for this shirt,’ and now he’s showing great passion in the right way, in every moment. We’re happy for this: me, the club, the team-mates, because he’s completely focused. It’s very important, this.” Zamparini latest Italy, 6 Sep: Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini hires coach Roberto de Zerbi. 28 Nov: Denies planning to sack him. “I am keeping De Zerbi, that is my decision.” 30 Nov: Sacks him for being “pitiful”, hires Eugenio Corini instead. 10 Jan: Loses faith in Corini and tries to rehire De Zerbi; De Zerbi says no. Corini: “Every day here is like an atomic bomb, it’s like Hiroshima.” Zamparini: “It’s not easy to be president.” Best vote of confidence France: Montpellier owner Louis “Loulou” Nicollin on his coach Frédéric Hantz: “I’m angry with him. His team plays sad, sad football – I’m starting to be fed up to back teeth. But Hantz is not in danger. We can’t afford to fire him.” Best clarification Italy: Sampdoria chairman Massimo Ferrero, clarifying what he meant by telling the press after a defeat to Napoli: “The referee stole it, incredible, the FA must expel him. I am truly pissed off, send these officials away. It is a robbery. In Italy robbery is a crime.” Two days later: “I don’t blame the referee and I have always defended referees. I have nothing against them.” • Ferrero’s reflection on the incident: “When I am beside myself, I make trouble. It is my nature. He who is born round cannot die square.” Credit to the Gruniard once more.
Garth Crooks: Football's football, if that weren't the case it wouldn't be the game that it is Mistakes will be made, make no mistake Michael Owen will get double figures this season - or at least 10, possibly more
"Welcome to Stamford Bridge where Chelsea have scored after 30 seconds - completely against the run of play"
Ian Holloway on Ronaldo - “He’s six foot something, fit as a flea, good looking – he’s got to have something wrong with him. Hopefully he’s hung like a hamster – That would make us all feel better. Having said that, me missus has got a pet hamster at home, and his cock’s massive.” All his best ones here: http://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/crystal-palace/ian-holloways-top-20-funniest-quotes
The master David Coleman "If that had gone in, it would have been a goal", “Don’t tell those coming in the final result of that fantastic match, but let’s just have another look at Italy’s winning goal.”
