David Nalbandian, the Argentine tennis player, disqualified from the AEBOG championship at London’s Queen’s Club, joins a not unimpressive list of Argentine icons made legendary by their ‘unsportsmanlike behavior’- only they happen to be footballers.
Back in 1966, Argentine captain Antonio Rattin was sent off in the England World quarter finals match against England for his alleged ‘violent tongue.’ Rattin did not leave gracefully but rather bid a defiant farewell, taking his time to leave the stadium, and wrinkling a British pennant before finally departing. Twenty years later Diego Maradona scored his first goal against the English in the quarter finals of the Mexico World Cup with his hand, knowing full well he had cheated, and for years, subsequently, celebrated the fact that he got away with it.
That England’s own Wayne Rooney is only belatedly entering Euro 2012 tomorrow-as a result of previous match bans for unruly behavior – serves as a reminder that the Argentines do not have a monopoly of rough stuff . However Nalbandian’s violence and graceless attitude subsequently makes the temper tantrums of a young John McEnroe seem rather tame by comparison. Just goes to show that as sportsmen get richer, they don’t necessary learn manners, even if Argentines-like Italians- like to blame conspiracies.
