5 infamous comments in the game of football

#3 Sir Alex Ferguson on referee Alan Wiley

Former Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson

Talking about Manchester United, here is an insult on a referee by Alex Ferguson.

Alan Wiley was a referee in a match between Sunderland and The Red Devils. Ferguson commented on his performance,

“The referee was not fit enough. The game demanded a referee who was fit. He’s not fit. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher’s dogs. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player then having a rest. Ridiculous”

Wiley was so distressed that he considered quitting immediately. Ultimately he retired in 2010.

---

#2 Giovanni Trapattoni on Paolo Di Canio

Giovanni Trapattoni

This one is certainly a below-the-belt remark. Paolo Di Canio was an Italian forward known for his dribbling skills. Trapattoni was the manager for the Italian World Cup team in 2002.

When asked whether Di Canio would be added in the World Cup squad, he responded by saying,

"Only if there's an outbreak of bubonic plague"

Di Canio did not make it into the World Cup squad, despite giving a decent performance prior.

---

#1 Freddy Shepherd on Alan Shearer

Shepherd later apologised for his insensitive comment

Freddy Shepherd, former Newcastle United chairman, was once asked of his views on Alan Shearer. He said,

“Alan Shearer is boring; we call him Mary Poppins"

Shepherd later apologised for his insensitive comment. Shearer forgave him, and they forged a beautiful friendship which lasted till Shepherd died in 2017.