Sports fretting over Twitter

Saying that sportsmen and women aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer isn’t the most unbelievable statement that you’ll hear today. It was only a matter of time until this manifested itself onto the social networks and it’s been going on for some time. Even Wayne Rooney worked out how to use Twitter, meaning that Michael Owen’s bore-fest of an account is the least of anyone’s worries.

This time next year when the London Olympics are taking place, many will be on their guard making sure social networking doesn’t take over. Australian chef de mission Nick Green is no different, and commented, “I hope dearly that my time as chef de mission is not around putting out spot fires (caused) by what people say on their Facebook.

“History will tell us I probably will. But hopefully with the right education the athletes will use Facebook and Twitter and social media responsibly.”

Green’s educative approach may bear fruit eventually but much like when the sports people were originally at school there’s always a chance they won’t listen. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy’s approach to the site is all the more drastic – and very amusing at the same time.

McCarthy’s rant contained a warning over “twits who tweet” and came after a transfer deal was last year scuppered by one of his charges. He said, “Players are going to get themselves into trouble over Twitter, I can tell. I can’t ban it and I’m not going to try. But, they have to be careful what they say on it about the club and its policies. If they put a team selection up, which I’m sure some disgruntled numpty will at some stage, they will be in trouble. Then I think they can get fined. It is forbidden and I think it’s unforgivable anyway [to] make it known just because they are not in the team.

In order to combat the wrongdoing he said, “We are in the process of educating them, having a media law firm come in and speak to the players about it. Having pictures of yourself misbehaving as a 16-year-old is OK until you become a famous footballer and that picture is still there and is there forever.”

Big Mick was already understandably pissed. It got worse. The gaffer was alerted to the presence of a fake Twitter account claiming to be him and the dialogue was as follows, “Someone said to me: ‘I’m a contact of yours on Twitter.’ I said: ‘You aren’t, mate, because I’m not on Twitter.’ He said: ‘Are you not, I’ve been talking to you for the past two years!’ I said: ‘Well, you are cock like the bloke who is doing it.’ Dear oh dear. I think cock is appropriate for someone who impersonates me on Twitter.”

The humour is quite obviously lost on Mick. Speaking of crazy happenings in the world of Twitter, make sure you follow the CalvinAyre.com team.

CalvinAyre – @CalvinAyre
Anthony Dohm – @AnthonyDohm
Bill Beatty – @Mistabill
Jamie Hinks – @siberiankiss86
Rebecca Liggero – @RebeccaLiggero

If you have any further information related to this story that you would like to share with us privately please click here.

Can't get enough CalvinAyre.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, then you'll never miss out on the latest gaming industry news.

Tags: Article, Twitter

Related Posts

Paris Hilton hits the Strip, wins 30k for 31st birthday
Lee Bell
February 21, 2012

Three times as many developers opt for Apple; Brick-and-mortar App Store; Sheen tweets number
Eric Bianchi
December 13, 2011

Weekly Poll Results
Lee Bell
November 18, 2011

1 in 6 Americans have jobs thanks to social media
Lee Bell
November 17, 2011