Arshavin - Press will ruin WC

Gunners star says media threaten England's chances of glory

By James Riach   Last updated: 13th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Arshavin - Press will ruin WC

Arshavin: England warning

Give it a few more weeks and they will put a camera in a footballer's pants in order to get a story

Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Arsenal and Russia forward Andrey Arshavin has warned the British press that they risk ruining England's chances in the World Cup.

The 28-year-old, whose national team will not be taking part in this summer's South Africa tournament, says the level of media intrusion will have an adverse impact on the Three Lions.

During the 2006 World Cup in Germany there was a lot of focus on the off-field activities of Sven Goran Eriksson's squad, including the players' wives and girlfriends.

And with controversy already rearing its head in the form of the John Terry/Wayne Bridge fall-out, Arshavin believes further press attention will scupper England's chances of glory.

"Of course, it's normal that people are interested, but in England you are killing the national team with the level of intrusion," he said in The Times.

"You are doing this to the team. Everyone wants England to become world champions, but you are destroying them at the same time.

"Give it a few more weeks and they will put a camera in a footballer's pants in order to get a story. I think you should leave your stars alone and give them the freedom to be human."

Values

The diminutive playmaker also says that while footballers have a responsibility as role models to youngsters, that they are also entitled to live the way they see fit.

He added: "All through my career I have heard people say, 'You must set an example. Don't smoke, don't drink, don't swear, otherwise the children will copy you.'

"They want you to be like a monk. But this is impossible. Everybody has a right to live in the way they want to. That is what it is to be human.

"Of course, I understand we have responsibilities. But it is no good doing something because you are scared of what people will say.

"You should do it because that is what you want to do.

"The problem is not fame and money, because if you have a good education and good parents, these things will not corrupt you. It is about having the right values."

Comments (8)

  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Kim Williams (Barcelona fan) says...

Well said son...we live in a real world not imaginary as the press wants to put it

Posted 17:26 13th March 2010

Larry Ola (Arsenal fan) says...

Very well said, football players are not robots, they have their lives to live and are responsible for whatever they do.

Posted 16:45 13th March 2010

Milo Hendrix (Manchester United fan) says...

Wise words from the Russian. British press is the worst in the world and in my opinion is partly responsible for no glory since '66

Posted 16:41 13th March 2010

Triston Niles (Arsenal fan) says...

I personally think England wont win the world cup distracted or not distracted, theres four teams i would say have a better chance. France, Brazil ,Argentina, Spain

Posted 16:07 13th March 2010

Ronnie Way (Charlton Athletic fan) says...

Well said Andre! The press will be the first to jump on the players at any sign of trouble, playing or otherwise. The media has become less about reporting actual news & more of a vehicle for scandal. Never really looking towards the positives, but anything that will sell. A shame really, as if Englands focus was on the footbal, then we could be primed for success, but unfortunately, the focus will be on most things but the game.

Posted 15:09 13th March 2010

Basher Michel (Manchester United fan) says...

Completely agree with Arshavin. For a decade now the press just wants to make a buck no matter whether the stories are made up or not. They do not care. The penalties they pay years after in court for reporting false claims are not high enough to dissuade newspapers going to print on it. They sell too many papers. So as the world cup is a high profile event, the newspapers zoom in and do what they want to make stories sensational. Even if it means telling lies and making mountains out of molehills. Trouble is the british public believe their crap. For one world cup can they not just report on the matches and players stats. They will sell more papers if we win it, believe me. Everyone will want to keep a copy of the newspaper the day after England won the World Cup.

Posted 15:09 13th March 2010

Colin Mallia (Liverpool fan) says...

Well said Andrey, England have a great squad and a good chance to lift the World Cup. British Media have a habit of being so intrusive in players lives. Give them a break.

Posted 14:56 13th March 2010

Nikhil Baskaran (Arsenal fan) says...

This has to be one of the smartest comments by a footballer..What Arshavin said is absolutely true..The press have to do their best to incourage the team nd not look for scandals...Saying that I feel the players know that the press are always on the lookout for a story should be extra carefull with regards to their behavior...Its great to see a foreign player support the country he works in...

Posted 13:29 13th March 2010
  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private