Yaya, 'Arry and a gun-toting footballer

Day -584. WorldCup2018

Notes from Malta.

Yaya Toure, the Manchester City player who is not playing for City right now because he only just apologised for having a bit of a sulk at the way the club and manager treated him and because his agent still won't apologise to the club for his comments about the club and manager that made Yaya sulk, is thinking about the future of his family. He went out shopping, with €650,000 in his wallet and bought himself Maltese citizenship. Or at least he has applied for it. One would think an upstanding professional, model citizen of Ivory Coast and happily accepted resident of England would be a shoo-in to have his application accepted. But he may not match the type of individual the Maltese government seems happy to welcome - shady tycoons from ex-Russian republics, China or the Middle East. All poor Yaya wanted was to buy a future in Europe for his children seeing as the Brexit vote will now make their British citizenship useless. Unfortunately, until Fifa changes it's rules yet again Yaya will not be allowed to sulk because of the way the Maltese FA treats him when he is left out of the Malta team, for sulking.

Harry Redknapp was in Malta for a gaming seminar last week. Asked whether he was still interested in the England manager's job (seriously?) he replied that he had to give up on that now (phew) but he loves Malta so much that he would manage their team if that job was available. But of course not while the current manager is still the manager, he added diplomatically. 'Arry Redknapp, manager of Malta. It would be entertaining.

Daniel Bogdanovic was a pretty successful footballer in his prime. The Maltese international was a bit temperamental, mixing moments of genius with others of seemingly disinterested laziness. A Maltese Matt Le Tissier, if you wish. He was good enough to play in England for Barnsley and Sheffield United. These days, 36 and at the tail end of his playing career he turns out for Xewkija Tigers in Gozo, Malta's smaller island. Last Saturday evening he was arrested outside his house for threatening his wife and carrying a gun. Into jail with him and especially away from his wife, would be what was expected. Well, according to the Malta Today newspaper, this couldn't happen because Xewkija had an important match on Sunday. It is alleged that on receiving a call from somebody within the government the police released Bogdanovic in time for Sunday's match. When one considers that the Minister for Gozo was a guarantor for a bank loan that the club applied for and that the team's coach works within a government ministry, this has all the makings of a classic small village on a Mediterranean island story of political favours for the local team. A bit like Pablo Escobar's relationship with members of the Colombian government and Colombian footballers. On a smaller scale. Amongst the hoopla of accusations and denials I hope somebody remembers the possibly physically abused woman involved. Being Malta there is probably going to be more concern about political reputations and points to be scored.