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Balloons and Birthday Cakes; footballers’ infamous headlines

By on April 16, 2015

Why would Raheem Sterling and Yaya Toure both fit in at a birthday party? There would be enough balloons and birthday cakes to satisfy both their appetites! Toure has a thing for birthday cakes, or lack thereof, while more recent headlines have been dominated by Raheem Sterling’s actions. Not surprisingly, then, the two of them have something else in common: they could be heading out of their current clubs this summer. Manchester City midfielder Toure has been linked with a move to Inter Milan, where he would link up with former City manager Roberto Mancini, and Raheem Sterling has been linked with several clubs since turning down a new contract offer from current club Liverpool. In light of the recent events, Richard Lewis takes a look at some outrageous headlines about English footballers in the papers for the wrong reasons.

No Laughing Matter!
Admittedly, Sterling committed a more serious offense than Toure, with video emerging go him exhaling ‘laughing gas.’ Perhaps because the Ivorian is much more experienced than 20-year-old, who evidently has much to learn about a footballer’s lifestyle considering footage of him smoking has also emerged over the past week. The Professional Footballers’ Association has come out to defend the young starlet by stating he is only ‘human,’ and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will indeed advise Sterling about his lifestyle choices. Rodgers will hope to keep fellow Reds youngster Jordon Ibe out of trouble as well.

Although defenders claimed Sterling’s actions were technically legal, one can be pretty sure they’re in a tough spot when that is their best argument. Especially as a professional athlete, there is never any good to come from going near any form of substances and Sterling’s actions have reignited the debate over footballers as a role model. Like Yaya Toure may suggest, Sterling should just have his cake and eat it in terms of his contract!

It’s a Knockout!
Sterling isn’t the only England star to have recently appeared in an unconscious state in a home made video, as Three Lions’ captain Wayne Rooney was reportedly knocked unconscious by Stoke City defender Phil Bardsley in a home-made video just days before a high-profile Premier League game for Manchester United. Rooney faced the controversy in his kitchen but swiftly swept aside rumors by responding with a goal and comedic celebration against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.

Ster Crazy!
On the other end of the Liverpool dressing room, there’s Mario Balotelli, presumably letting off fireworks or something of the like. Some of his gaffes include setting his house on fire, being arrested, swearing on live television, throwing darts at youth players, and most famously, struggling to put on a pinny. In fact, Balotelli ironically came as a replacement for Luis Suarez, who can hardly keep himself out of the headlines, either. And don’t forget there is also Kolo Toure still in the Liverpool squad as well —he got in a little bit of trouble a few years ago for taking some of his wife’s supplements.

Photo credit: Stiendy on Wikipedia Commons

About Richard Lewis

Richard Lewis can relate almost anything to football and quite often does! You may have seen Richard's previous ideas and work in the BBC Match of the Day Magazine, from 2011 to present. He is a Manchester United and England fan, but has gone to see Leyton Orient play with his O's season ticket in the 2013/14 campaign. Aside from football, Richard has written articles on Doctor Who and studies English Language and Linguistics at the University of Westminster. Aspiring sports journalist.