Fuming Redknapp vows to act

Tottenham players face 'severe' party punishment

Last updated: 18th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fuming Redknapp vows to act

Redknapp: Angry

It was wrong and it will be dealt with. Severely.

Harry Redknapp.
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Furious Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has vowed to 'severely' punish the Spurs stars who held an unauthorised Christmas party against his wishes.

The White Hart Lane manager had explicitly told his players that there would be no festive celebrations this year as he wanted their minds fully focused on challenging for a place in the top four.

And Redknapp has clearly been left fuming by reports which emerged on Friday morning of 16 members of his squad travelling to Dublin behind his back prior to their shock home defeat by Wolves.

Captain Robbie Keane, whose future with the North London side has already been called into question, is said to have organised the event, with his manager not mincing his words when asked about possible sanctions.

The Spurs boss will wait until after this weekend's Premier League trip to Blackburn before deciding what action to take against his errant squad.

Sort them out

Redknapp said: "It was wrong and it will be dealt with. Severely. It will be dealt with.

"It's being dealt with internally and we'll keep it in-house. I will be dealing with it after the weekend.

"We've got a game to concentrate on - we'll sort the game out, then I'll sort them out. Believe you me, it will get sorted out.

"I'm not happy, I'd be lying if I said I was happy.

"I didn't know anything about the trip at all if I'm perfectly truthful but it's done now and will be dealt with on Monday morning."

Redknapp, who has taken a strong anti-alcohol stance, insists the timing of the Dublin shindig had no impact on their display against Wolves.

"It was the Tuesday and didn't affect the result against Wolves, we worked our socks off, but it doesn't make it right," he added.

"They are more trouble than they are worth and it happens at every football club unfortunately. Every club has had problems with it."

Injury news

The news of the party has overshadowed the way Spurs bounced back from defeat to Wolves with their performance against Manchester City, which Redknapp rated as their finest of the season.

Redknapp has also been boosted by Ledley King returning to training after a freak accident during a practice match that saw him injure his knee.

"He's a great player," Redknapp said. "We need him back and fit playing and he could play one game over Christmas."

Luka Modric, however, has suffered a setback in his recovery from a fractured fibula and has needed treatment on an ankle complaint, ruling him out of the Blackburn trip.

Redknapp is hoping to maintain Spurs' hopes of breaking into the Champions League.

He added: "Everyone has thrown silly points away. Had we not thrown away home games that we were not expected to lose, we could have been sitting there a couple of points off the top. It is that open.

"But Blackburn is not an easy game. They should have beaten Liverpool recently, I went to the game. Sam Allardyce is a good manager and they know what they are doing for sure."

Comments (34)

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Jerald Sand (AFC Wimbledon fan) says...

Enough with the 'footballers should have gratitude' theory. Yes, people around the world are struggling to find ways to make more money, yes footballers make a shiteload of cash, but that is the world we have created and live in. I don't think a boycott on footie will stop it from happening. Perhaps anyone who is discontent with the gap between an athletes wages and their own shoulds start training....

Posted 15:07 19th December 2009

Michael Mcallister (Liverpool fan) says...

well done harry for showing the passion that some managers severely lack! and whoever "fraser" is who was asking the questions to harry on the video he is a pathetic creature all he was doing was asking harry the same questions over and over to try and get some sort of rise out of him he had no interest in football whatsoever the pathetic slug of an individual

Posted 14:57 19th December 2009

Tony Smith (Chelsea fan) says...

another example of the shameful behaviour of footballers who earn too much money, have little respect for their club, manager, supporters, the game and most importantly themselves. Kick them out, regardless of who they are or what club they play for this is not the behaviour of a true sportsman. In it for the money and lifestyle rather than the love of football and the club. Its time footballers learnt to respect the game and the people who pay money to watch them each week.

Posted 14:31 19th December 2009

Daniel Mccann (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Bah, it's Christmas! If the fixture list wasn't so congested over christmas it would give players a chance to celebrate a bit with there club mates. At least it shows there is a bit of team spirit and comradery between the players, which was sadly lacking under a few other managers recently. My initial thoughts were the Wolves result was affected, but as pointed out, it was the Tuesday before, so whomever organized the "event" was at least taking that into consideration. It's a shame Robbie is getting so much stick, guess because it was in Dublin, it's assumed he is was the ring leader. I for one was deeply saddened when he left the club, and equally jubilant when he returned and I would like to see him stay and get back to the kind of form he had under Martin Jol. Lets put the Wolves result behind us, gloat over the city result and duff Blackburn today, and then hopefully Harry deals with this in the right context. Yes, strong stance against alcholism is good, and I respect Harry for it, but it's Christmas, and our guys are human beings and want to celebrate the holidays like the rest of us.

Posted 14:25 19th December 2009

Lee Wildman (West Bromwich Albion fan) says...

Get over it ! grown men in their prime living the dream....fair play to ya lads and merry christmas PS: have you left me one in ?

Posted 12:39 19th December 2009

Bob Pendry (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

When a team at this level plays, it has a number of things it should be doing. The first is to honour their commitment to the supporters as they do provide the revenue stream that pays their wages either by turning up every game of by paying their sky subscriptions very week. The conduit to the supporters is the manager, arguably the most important person in a club. If the team want to win trophies and the manager can show by the performances week in week out that it is possible then they should respect his wishes in all aspects of their lives. How many teams win anything? Not many. In a game of very small margins anything that gets in the way of that winning mentality should be adhered to. In the Ireland case I think what has upset Harry, is he had total respect for the squad of players. Now it is up to those relevant members of that squad of players to show their support, earn back that respect to Harry and hence the supporters and move on. As a point of note I think Robbie Keane could be on his way out!

Posted 11:37 19th December 2009

Colm Browne (Manchester United fan) says...

Robbie Keane is a great man ! Give him a break first the game against France and now this !!

Posted 11:26 19th December 2009

Laurence B (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Fair play to them. Everyone deserves to relax a bit at Christmas even if the Board doesn't believe in it. Why shouldn't footballers have a break. Redknapp wants to get a grip rather than acting like Scrooge. What sort of manager doesn't know what his players are doing anyway.

Posted 11:19 19th December 2009

Gdgcd Tjhbd (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Spurs have a good chance to get a champions league spot and they should get it if they keep up the way they're performing

Posted 11:17 19th December 2009

Steve Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I can't believe the stupiddity of some, so called, top flight players. Harry Redknapp reiterated that he didn't like the booze/party culture of some players after hearing about 'Woodgate & Crouch' going on the lash & being splashed all over the tabloids. Do you see Man Utd players splashed over the papers?....No!.....that's because they're focused on doing the job they're paid to do! This seasons turning out to be a serious attempt to crack the so called top 4, & if players who are payed very generously, can't support the gaffers wishes to abstain from partying, then they must be severly punished. I'm sure Harry will have serious words with the whole squad & drum in to them the importance of staying focused until the seasons over.

Posted 10:23 19th December 2009

Lee Steadman (Everton fan) says...

Why is he such a scrooge? It's Christmas!

Posted 10:21 19th December 2009

Simon Lees says...

Wherever Harry goes, things change from bad to good. Portsmouth fist time, Southampton, Portsmouth second time, Tottenham. His superb influence affects the team, the town/city, the pay in the players pockets. That his current players could be so ignorant, so arrogant and so dismissive of their talisman and mentors wishes is unfathomable. They should be properly ashamed. Come back to the south coast Harry, we love and respect you.

Posted 10:18 19th December 2009

Thom Hill (Aston Villa fan) says...

Oh be quiet Paul. Don't start bringing the problems into the economy into this. Footballers are normal people that are stupid and overpaid. No doubt, i agree that the players should have respected their managers wishes and acted like professionals. But come on, this isn't crime of the century, if Harry wanted to keep moral high he should have just let them have a party and encouraged camaraderie. Instead he now has a battle on his hands. He's been in the game a long time and he should know how immature footballers can be. My company are not having a Christmas party this year as they are a terrible company. But let me assure you that won't stop the staff organizing their own event. You've also got to remember that most of these guys are still in their mid twenties and most normal people in the mid twenties are still out enjoying themselves. So, i really, really hate to use this phrase but I'm afraid to say that boys will be boys. Fine them a few weeks wages, it's not as if that will hurt them all too much, then get on with trying to break the top four. If this gets too blown out of proportion it could be spurs' version of Phil Browns center circle antics last season.

Posted 10:17 19th December 2009

Andy Gilchrist says...

Although i am a long tie admirer of harry "HOW ON EARTH" does he think he has the right totell them they cant celebrate,my manager would not tell me what to do in my spare time isnt it funny when a team are doing well the manager suddenly thrusts himself into the limelight.HARRY, shut up ,do what you do best man manage your team and as usual for you harry ,cause you are a human being and not some jumped up individual you will come up trumps.good luck to you your team and staff and say hello to jamie (i cook for him quite a lot on sky match days)ANDY.G

Posted 10:08 19th December 2009

K Moss (Birmingham City fan) says...

'Severely punish' a group of employees for having an unauthorised Christmas party on their own time? For some reason that just doesn't come off right to me; but perhaps it's only because I've recently re-watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There's just a part of me that can't help but feel outraged that your employer (no matter what the job) can possibly enforce decrees such as 'there'll be no alcohol consumed by any of you, ever', and 'there will be no festive celebrations for you either!' What would be the difference if the 16 players involved simply had gone to 16 separate Christmas parties where they would do the exact thing they've done together, but with family and/or mates not associated with football instead? Would the consequences still be 'severe'?

Posted 09:49 19th December 2009

Mikey G (Manchester United fan) says...

Too much money, too much time on their hands, to little committment, too little respect and too many big egos. No shame, no dedication, no loyaly, no values, no discipline and no good. Ungrateful, unthinking and unbelievable. Direspectful, disloyal, disingenuous and disgusting. Apply that to 90% of the players in the Premier League if you like - several of teh words will fit. This why Spurs will not be in the top four this season. But that won't worry these sort of players - they'll just get millions to move on to another club because they are the worst kind of mercenaries imaginable. I'm beginning to understand why Keane was never accepted at Liverpool - Rafa you have jsu gone up a notch.

Posted 09:28 19th December 2009

Matt Hollis (Scunthorpe United fan) says...

No I have to disagree with you there Paul. Christmas is a time for fun and a laugh and Redknapp was harsh not to allow them to do this. I have a lot of respect for him as a manager, but there was always going to be something going on and many people in England do go out drinking with mates at Christmas regardless of whether they can afford it, and as footballers can easily afford to do so, why shouldn't they?

Posted 08:31 19th December 2009

Swampy Smith (Manchester United fan) says...

It's hardly like they're gonna end up like George Best for Christs sake... but... the boss hath spoken so the boss better follow up with some actions otherwise he'll look like a fecking dolt.

Posted 08:22 19th December 2009

Nicolas Murray (Burnley fan) says...

Whats the problem? As long as you don't do it the night before a game then you should be perfectly alright. If your boss at work asked you not to drink alcohol or have a party, you'd tell him where to go.

Posted 08:00 19th December 2009

Paul Hazeltine (spurs fan) says...

I completely agree with Harry, He has turned our club around since ariving at the Lane and given us new belief that we can be the great club we all know we can be. Proffesional footballers get paid astronomical amounts of money to do something they love to do, if only we could all be so lucky. And when specifically told by your boss, when earning the type of money they are, to forego you Christmas booze up and concentrate on the job in hand I think it shows massive disrespect to our manager, loyal supporters and the club in general to carry on regardless. With the financial climate the way it is Footballers are lucky to earn in a week more than joe public can hope to earn in a year, yes they are amazingly talented, and yes they entertain us imensly, but be proffesional, get the job done and we will all celebrate at the end of the season and wash away the memories of last term. Have a think lads, get your heads round it and get it done, we all know you can. !

Posted 05:40 19th December 2009
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