World Gone Crazy, Part II
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Last week, at the FIFA 2006 Mondial in Germany, Ghana beat the Czech 2-0. So far – not a big story, except for Soccer fans and the Ghanese.What made it qualify for this column is that fullback John Pantsil, who currently plays in regular season for an Israeli team (Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv (wiki)), has chosen to express his joy by running around the field with a small Israeli flag.One would think that would delight the Israelis, maybe tick off the Ghanese a tad…
But no….
Ghana HAD to apologize to the Arab League. Story here. Seriously. The Foriegn Minister of Ghana had to individually apologize to representative of the Palestinian Authority (are they a State?), Libya, Egypt (dont THEY have a peace agreement with Israel?), Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Algeria and Morocco (don’t they trade freely with Israel?)
Why did they have to? Because Libya summoned their ambassador to “clarify” the issue, because the newspapers in many an Arab capital called in anger against Ghana:Examples from:
- Egypt:
“The ignorant and stupid Paintsil, who spent 20 days in Egypt during the last African Nations Cup, plays for Hapoel,” sports commentator Alaa Sadek wrote in the daily Al-Akhbar
“Egyptians supported the Ghanaian team all the way until the 82nd minute, and regretted it after the Israeli flag,” a bold red headline in the daily Al-Masry Al-Youm.
-Arab satellite channel broadcasting all World Cup matches in the region abruptly cut short his trademark “Goooaaaaaaal” when Paintsil brought out the flag.“What are you doing, man?” the bewildered commentator said.
