Andorran Coach Insults Israel During Euro Qualifier
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Andorra's national soccer coach made disparaging remarks about the Jewish state to star Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun during a Euro 2008 qualification match Wednesday night in Holland. According to Benayoun, coach David Rodrigo said to him during the game, "Your country is a nation of killers and all the time there are only wars there." The Jerusalem Post reported that when Benayoun confronted Rodrigo, the latter told him to "shut up! We are going go break you and break your legs." In response, Benayoun mocked Rodrigo when Israel took a 2-0 lead before halftime by flashing two fingers at the coach. The referee saw the gesture and booked Benayoun for a penalty. At the conclusion of the game he apologized, telling Benayoun, "I am sorry for booking you. It pains me to hear things like that from an international coach." The Israeli star said Andorran midfielder Juli Fernandez also approached him to apologize for Rodrigo's comments. An Andorran government official told the Post that his country's sports minister sent instructions to the president of the Andorran Soccer Federation to fully investigate the matter and take any necessary disciplinary action against Rodrigo. The tiny mountain nation's foreign minister also expressed regret over the incident. "The government of Andorra totally disassociates itself from this, and |
