John Barnes watches match rather than being at baby’s birth

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John Barnes watches match rather than being at baby’s birth Football commentator John Barnes knows where his priorities belong.  While telecasting events at the eagerly awaited Premiership match between Chelsea and Liverpool, he decided to wait out the game, rather than rush to the side of his wife, as she gave birth to his seventh child, Alexander.

Perhaps he wasn’t quite sure how he should handle his obligations as a broadcaster, since he had been booked as a special guest to do commentary during the game.  He made a decision to remain on the air even after he was notified that his wife was in labour.

Even after that, when the birth was announced on air and the former England and Liverpool striker was questioned if he wished to leave, he chose to stay with the match. At the final whistle, announcing partner Richard Keyes told the audience that Barnes had gone ahead to the hospital to join his wife and new son.

Teaching footballers about nutrition vital

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Nutritionists need to become better communicators in order to ‘sell’ their advice to athletes more effectively, according to a Premiership sports nutritionist.

Mayur Ranchordas, senior lecturer in sports nutrition at Sheffield Hallam University, has been working with Bolton Wanderers Football Club since they started pre-season training in August. He believes that sport scientists need to use their communication skills to overcome footballers’ resistance to dietary advice.

Mayur said: “In football, you tend to have four different types of responses to nutrition advice: those who do everything in order to improve as much as possible, those who take on board some of the advice, those who ignore the advice and do nothing, and those who are indifferent but will do it if they’re forced to. Part of the problem is how we as sports nutrition practitioners communicate, how we sell the message.”

“If you tell a footballer that drinking beetroot juice will allow him to work harder, beat his opponent to the ball, enhance his fitness test results, and therefore his match performance, he’s more likely to take that advice. It’s about translating our knowledge into practical results for them.”

According to Mayur, sport science is becoming a highly valued part of football, but there is still a clash between sport science and the culture among footballers.

He said: “Very few clubs outside of Manchester United and Chelsea have got a real suite of sport science services. They all have sports massage and physiotherapy specialists, but not necessarily things like a nutritionist, physiologist, chiropractor and acupuncturist, for example.  Ten years ago there were no dedicated nutritionists in professional football, it was left to the manager or the catering staff. Now it’s a key part of the support team.”

“Additionally, the move away from chemicals and supplements in nutrition to natural, food-based products means that players are often more receptive.”

Beckham considering becoming a Yank

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Beckham considering becoming a Yank David Beckham is stressing that he will always stay true to his British heritage even though he would consider making a bid for U.S. citizenship. He said that even though he considers himself, first and foremost, an Englishman, it might be nice to achieve U.S. citizen status.  The L.A. Galaxy footballer says he most strongly identifies with being English born.

He has said that he, his wife Victoria and their sons Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz all plan to remain in America in the future.

Beckham says that as long as his family remains happy in the United States, they will stay.  Beckham can become an American citizen without having to give up his English citizenship, as England allows one to have both.

Police prepare for Liverpool and Napoli violence

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Police prepare for Liverpool and Napoli violence Police are preparing for possible violence at the rematch between Liverpool and Napoli coming up shortly.  The previous match, at Naples, resulted in the stabbing of several Liverpool fans and word has spread that Liverpool may be looking for revenge at their home game.

Extra security measures will be taken, with authorities going so far as to have officers from UK Border Agency awaiting the arrival of the Naples fans at John Lennon Airport.

Police report that the match will be handled like any other, but with special attention given as to what happen among fans last time the two teams clashed.

Spectators are encouraged to arrive early and carry as little as possible with them so they can quickly be checked through by security.  Any troublemakers, from either side, will be dealt with swiftly and unruliness will not be allowed to take hold.

The assaults on the Liverpool fans were made by a group known as the Ultras who, the Naples Police said, were definitely looking for trouble at the Italian venue.  In Liverpool, Ultras will no doubt be identified and any in attendance will be kept under a watchful eye.

Merseyside Police will have a special operation in effect with the cooperation of the Liverpool Football Club, it was recently acknowledged.

The club has been encouraging Reds fans not to look for revenge at the upcoming match, but to allow the players their own sort by beating the team from Italy without interference from the crowd. Everyone expects an exciting match and hopes for no repeat violence.

Blackpool boss wants cameras to back up ref’s

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Blackpool boss wants cameras to back up ref’s Football authorities are being encouraged to use video in an effort to eliminate highly disputable refereeing.  The call for video is being led by Ian Holloway, the Blackpool boss. Holloway feels that Blackpool has been dealt dirty this year by refereeing decisions.

The latest debate sprang up during Manchester United’s match versus Tottenham, when referee Mark Clattenburg decided not to award a free kick on an obvious handball by Nani.

The problem came when Spurs’ keeper Heorelho Gomes set the ball down, assuming a free kick, and Nani tapped it into the net instead.

Blackpool’s Holloway feels as though these things do not always balance themselves in the season; even though he would have to say that equilibrium was achieved for Blackpool during their recent win against West Brom.