Cesc press conference
14 October 2008
Cesc participated in a press conference in Brussels this morning along with team-mates, Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres. I have posted photos.
The recent controversy involving the England FA’s refusal to play a friendly against Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid because of concerns about racism, was raised.
The FA has requested that the friendly which is scheduled for February 11, be played at another ground because England players suffered racial abuse when they played at the Bernabeu in 2004.
Cesc tried to play down the controversy and said: -
“I don’t know if racism is the word, I had not yet broken into the Spanish team for that game four years ago, but a friend of mine, played with England and he felt hurt.
“The players may have returned to England annoyed, but I do not think we have got to the point where Spaniards are viewed as racists. I don’t think we are – it is a bit extreme.
“It is necessary to reduce the importance of this charge because in football the fans are always going to support the team and be behind us.”
He also commented on the poor state of the pitch at the King Baudouin stadium:
“Spain does not have to look for excuses of any kind. We are a team that has shown we can play good football on any pitch and that is what we have to do tomorrow. We aren’t thinking of the pitch but only of how to play our game.”
On world cup qualification:
“We want to qualify as soon as possible. We know that next summer we have an important competition and if we can win the maximum number of points now then it will be very positive for the future. It is a long road and it is important to earn three points tomorrow”
On Spain’s continued success:
“One of the most important things about this team is humility, good companionship and solidarity.”
Cesc was surprised to hear there will be 11,000 spanish fans in attendance at tomorrow’s game and said:
“Wherever we go in Europe and the world we are backed either by students or people who live there who support the team. We appreciate the support we receive through all the places we go. We will try to win for them.”
Vieira says
Patrick Vieira former Arsenal captain, legend and all round good bloke, had these words of praise for Cesc, this morning,
“The best midfielder [in the world] I would say is Steven Gerrard. I really rate him as a player and as a man,†stated the Inter star.
“Cesc Fabregas has the potential to be the best. I think he is learning every year. Now he is a top quality player, he is one of the best. In the years to come he can be at the top.”
Vieira when asked if Cesc could fufil his potential at Arsenal replied, “Of course (he can achieve everything he wants at Arsenal). I think if the club matches the same desire as the player, then why not?”
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I’m wrong and you’re right? In your dreams baby in your dreams! lol It is not idealistic to think that we should try to be the better versions of ourselves.
George those d**kheads at skysport are saying he said “They see us as racists, but I don’t think we are, it’s a bit extreme” Man, Cesc actually was being really diplomatic and said that he thought that “England did NOT see the spanish as racists” -”Inglaterra no ven a los españoles como racistas”
My spanish sucks and I can work that out how can Sky get it so freaking wrong? Journalists have replaced lawyers as the new scum sucking pond dwellers of the universe.
Rosie, I won’t argue with you, you are wrong
but you are an idealist and I respect that
I understand that racism should be punished but singling out the Bernabeu isnt right. There are racist fans in every stadium throughout the world so putting the spotlight on spain is’nt correct. Instead of creating alot of controversy over this matter, UEFA should try to think of a way round – a different type of punishment (e.g deduction of points).
Arsenal.4.Lyf x
Well, I don’t know about that Rose, I mean football has a long history of fan problems and it seems to me there is a lot of inconsistency about how it’s handled.
A lot of things bad enough to warrant some sort of sanction just fly under the radar.
I’m not saying the monkey chanting was ok but is it actually worse than a lot of the racism and violence that has gone unpunished?
Maybe they should play with a warning in advance that if there are any issues this time then they’ll lose their rights to host friendlies?
Although it might be too late now, it might be best to just shelve the whole thing as it might all go pear-shaped if the friendly goes ahead anywhere, like Sambo said.
Bit of a hospital pass this racism issue. I just saw on skysports they are saying Cesc has denied that spanish fans are racist. Did he actually say that? It’s a big country, they have their racist fans, as does every country under the sun. They have plenty of fans who aren’t racist too of course. It seems this whole thing could get ugly. I hope hes not caught in the middle.
No offense to any of our spanish visitors but I think the FA have a point, sorry. I think you can only build a house a brick at a time. No it’s not a perfect world and no one is without sin or is in any position to cast the first stone. However, the FA must act to protect it’s own players, it can only deal with each case of racism as it happens. There was an entirely unacceptable level of racist abuse against England’s players the last time they played a friendly at the Bernabeu, as a direct consequence they do not want to play at that venue again.
There has been no program, no efforts, nothing done by the RFEF since the 2005 incident to try and change crowd behaviour. The FA actually has little choice but to do this, otherwise they would be seen as weak on the issue and roundly criticized and condemned were there to be a repeat of the 2005 problems at the same venue in 2009.
The spanish media, have incorrectly reacted as if this action is a slight against Spain as a whole, but it’s not. The FA is all too familiar with dealing with problems arising from their own fans behaviour. This action is firstly about protecting black players from an unacceptable level of abuse, secondly, to be blunt, about covering the FA’s butt and thirdly about sending a message that the actions of certain fan elements will result in the loss of privileges, such as the right to host friendlies. That is fair.
It doesn’t mean anyone with half a brain is going to make assumptions about whole countries, or even the majority of fans in a country, it doesn’t make one country more or less racist than another country. It is purely a reaction to one specific event and shouldn’t be viewed as meaning more than it does. imho.
PS. Hi Jimmy
I agree with you I think it is such a senstive area and people react to debates about topics like racism with such pure emotion that it would be much better if players were not put in the “firing line.”
Thanks cescikernando_xx
great fotos!! cool site gracias!
Tanx 4 da gr8 pix!!
seems a lose lose situation for Cesc. If he says that the bernabeu boycott is ok then spanish fans are angry!! if he says the FA is wrong then some fans in england and usa will call him racist. I think the players should not be asked to speak about this not fair to them.
HAHAH Thanks for the piccies! Cesc and Iker are da best!!
That was the best press conference ever. All that hotness in one room! Talk about global warming… I think when Nando, Iker and Cesc are all together in a line like that, we lose a polar ice-cap or two at least! Someone phone Al Gore!
I agree with you up to a point Sam but then I guess this sends a message to fans that if they carry on like stupid $%#@$% then there will be consequences…
I think singling out the Bernabeu is a bit absurd. I mean I know the Bernabeu has a section where the Ultra sur sit and their are definitely going to be racist elements in attendance BUT you could get that in any ground.
It’s hard to know if something like this will help or hurt… you could easily see a bunch of clueless fans who think they’ve been insulted, turn up at a different venue and go all out on the monkey chants just to make a point.
I think they should have it at the Bernabeu and have one of those pre-match 2 minute anti-racism speeches from the captains. If Casillas tells them to pull their necks in that should go some way to doing the trick. Isn’t Casillas basically considered the ‘second coming’ in Madrid? If ‘Jesus’ can’t make them behave then no one can!
Nice words from Paddy!