A week in which Tom Hicks Jr redefined PR disaster was overshadowed by tragic events in Angola.
Who's been saying what in a sporting week of verbal sparring
In the face of persistent criticism it takes a big man to remain dignified so it can only be presumed Tom Hicks Jr resembles Ronnie Corbett, albeit with Bernard Manning's somewhat blue sensibilities. The Liverpool chief's potty-mouthed outburst leads this week's somewhat sombre Quotes of the Week, with the tragic events that unfolded in Angola putting everything into perspective.
"Idiot."
Tom Hicks Jr gives a considered response to Liverpool fan Stephen Horner's entirely reasonable question about the club's finance.
"Blow me f***face."
Junior redefines the definition of PR disaster. Be careful what you wish for Tom...
All's well that ends well: "Liverpool Football Club today announces that Thomas Hicks Jr has resigned as a Director of both the Club and its parent company Kop Holdings."
"These stories have as much relation to the truth as an egg to a chestnut." Racing Santander president
Francisco Pernia dismisses talk of starlet Sergio Canales being sold to Real Madrid.
"I think everyone knows the job we are doing here and we are trying to continue that."
Owen Coyle reiterates his commitment to Burnley.
He really loves it at Turf Moor, you know: "I love being at this football club and have shown that. I feel very privileged to be manager of a wonderful football club here."
"I've always said I enjoy being at the football club, I enjoy my work and coming through the door every morning." Looks like Bolton will have to look elsewhere...
"I fully expected when Owen did move from here he would go upwards from Burnley, not sideways to a team we are fighting a relegation scrap with." Clarets chairman
Barry Kilby a couple of days later.
"I believe results are about people and not about cash. That's my personal opinion." Burnley vice-captain
Graham Alexander gets his claws out.
Coyle's defence: "I have never been driven by money - if it was finance I would have taken the job at Celtic in the summer."
"I am more than happy and I am afraid the chairman will need a hell of a tub of cream to get rid of me - I'm like a bad rash and not easily curable."
Ian Holloway, as only he can, rejects talk of leaving Blackpool for Burnley.
"People want money, people want goals, they want me to stay, but I'm missing my home. The smile on my face, disguises the case, I bury the truth deep down in my soul."
Darius Vassell goes all Morrissey as his Turkish sojourn at Ankaragucu sours somewhat.
"The cold London air reminds me to wear my scarf as I travel back to Turkey. As I tie my yellow and blue Ankaragucu scarf around my neck I realise it's too tight a fit, and contemplate whether this is a metaphor or am I just being too cynical." Let's just hope the Samaritans has a Turkish branch.
"I've been told by the club that they'll sit down with me and explain where it's all gone. They also said we'd get paid on time."
David James grows exasperated by smoke and mirrors on the South Coast.
"I was with Patrick in Milan and I talked to him before Christmas and he was ready to call it a day, to be honest with you."
Tony Adams reassures Man City fans that Patrick Vieira still has that fire in his belly.
Talking of strange transfers....
"He's (Arsene Wenger) not stupid - he wouldn't have taken me back if he didn't like what he has seen, and I have worked and worked. I do believe I can contribute."
Sol Campbell rejoins Arsenal.
"I am going to get drunk tonight because I have not had a good drink all week."
Dave Chisnall dispels the unjust stereotype so often attributed to darts players.
"I've not seen a softer sending-off for a long time. It's absolutely ridiculous, really." Sir
Alex Ferguson keeps up his 100 per cent record of post-match moaning about referees this season.
"I've been watching Mark Clattenburg this season. He did the Arsenal-Tottenham game - you had to have someone hit with an axe before he'd book anyone in that game, and he sends a player off here." Anyone else conjuring up images of Fergie in a mac, holding binoculars, outside Clattenburg's house?
"If I was guilty of anything, it was just laziness in not bending down to pick up the ball."
Stuart Broad offers the lamest of lame excuses for his alleged ball tampering.
Kevin Keegan on Micah Richards: "I had him when he was 16. He was a man then, I don't know what he is now. Probably just a bigger man."
"One of my friends, one of the few I have at the moment, said to me, 'you are like Rocky'. I am full of punches and blood but I say to my opponent, I am not hurt, punch harder because you are not hurting me. There is nothing that could knock me down, my mother punched harder." Juventus boss
Ciro Ferrara prepares to fight Apollo Creed.
"It is no good at all. Emotionally it is very difficult, but it is part of life,"
Emmanuel Adebayor reflects on tragic events in Angola that cost three of the Togo party their lives. "This was one of the bad moments in my life. To be honest emotionally, it is very difficult to explain, very difficult to talk about."
Aston Villa's
Moustapha Salifou gives a vivid eyewitness account of the attack: "It was only 15 minutes after we crossed into Angola that the coach came under heavy fire from rebels. The driver of the coach was shot almost immediately and died instantly, so we were just stopped on the road with nowhere to go. Our security people saved us. They were in two separate cars, about 10 of them in total and they returned fire. The shooting lasted for half an hour and I could hear the bullets whistling past me. It was like a movie. I know I am really lucky. I was in the back of the coach with Emmanuel Adebayor and one of the goalkeepers. A defender who was sat in front of me took two shots in the back. The goalkeeper, Obilale Dodo, one of my best friends, was shot in the chest and stomach area and he was flown to South Africa to undergo an operation to save his life. It was horrific. Everybody was crying. I couldn't stay in control myself and I cried when I saw the injuries to my friend."
"We came here to play not to die."
Seydou Keita calls for the African Cup of Nations to be cancelled.
"I am appalled. This throws a question mark against next summer's World Cup. You simply cannot put the safety of players, officials and fans at the slightest risk. That is totally unacceptable."
Phil Brown misses the point that Cabinda, where the attack took place, is approximately 1,000 miles away from Johannesburg.
