Britain’s Sunday newspapers blasted Robert Green for the goalkeeping blunder that cost England a victory in the opening World Cup game against the United States.
The front pages of the News of the World and the Sunday Mirror both reading “Hand of Clod.”
Any England goalkeeper guilty of a clanger is given merciless treatment by the national newspapers, with international careers usually then brought to a shuddering halt. David Seaman, David James, Paul Robinson and Scott Carson can all testify to that.
Green was not spared.
“Cock-up keeper Green wrecks dream start,” said the News of the World, adding: “Stars and tripe.”
“It’s back to the drawing board after this, with Capello forced to reconsider his options after Green’s mistake.” “Tainted Glove,” said the Sunday Mirror.
The Sunday Express meanwhile said of Green that “for all our sakes, he’s got to go — now.”
The Sunday Times referenced the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, saying Green’s error was “one disastrous spill the Yanks won’t complain about.”
It was a “howler that will haunt him for the rest of his career.” The paper compared Green to a “pub cricketer misfielding on the boundary.”
“A scrappy, uncomfortable draw against the second-ranked side in Group C may not stop Capello’s men topping it but it is hard to see England going too far in the knockout rounds if they fail to improve,” it said.
— AFP