Twitter Is Ablaze With Talk Of Frank Lampard, Too.

[Yankeedom]

Seriously, so He did something stupid 13 years ago. give the guy a break and support him hes a fantastic player one of the very best in EPL history and hes still plenty of gas left in his tank. its quite amazing we got him

So he deserves support because he's a "a fantastic player"? Sorry but there are plenty of footballers out there who have my support because of their personal CHARACTER and because they are fantastic players.

If you're old enough to get drunk and abuse American tourists regarding something as tragic as 9/11, hours after it happened, then you are old enough to deserve any ill will people will have toward you.

I will never respect him. If he issued an apology and made some sort of donation to a 9/11 charity, then I could forgive him but I will never support him; nor will I forget what he did. I can only imagine what might be going through the minds of those who were directly affected by 9/11, to have a man (and I use that term very hesitantly) like Lampard represent an NYC team.

 

[Kjbert]

Slot Mix in between them

 

[Brahma_B]

This is what I'm thinking as well. It seems more of a signing for marketing reasons. He would be a huge tool to get fans of other EPL teams to watch NYCFC.

He would certainly be a huge tool. But I suppose we could do worse. He has bags of experience at the very highest level.

 

[Scott McCarthy]

Seriously, so He did something stupid 13 years ago. give the guy a break and support him hes a fantastic player one of the very best in EPL history and hes still plenty of gas left in his tank. its quite amazing we got him

I am not taking his talent into question, and while ill advised and a hurtful action, if all he did was verbal it was nothing illegal, I can't comment fully until I know what was said and done...the fact that anything was said is bad enough, especially hours after.

We shall see, NY media being what it is, I am sure it will ne brought up. I just hope it does not becoming a major distraction in the first season.

 

[Slick Rick]

I am not taking his talent into question, and while ill advised and a hurtful action, if all he did was verbal it was nothing illegal, I can't comment fully until I know what was said and done...the fact that anything was said is bad enough, especially hours after.

We shall see, NY media being what it is, I am sure it will ne brought up. I just hope it does not becoming a major distraction in the first season.

The NY Post already mentioned it, as if there could be a better news outlet to start a shitstorm.

 

[Davo15]

What precisely did he say or do? I'm just wondering because I find a hard time judging whether I find it forgivable or not without out the details and I'm finding those somewhat scarce. For instance we know that SOME Celtic fans mocked Claudio Reyna with hand gestures of planes going into the towers which is to me clearly is not. (note the some as I'm not trying to get into any kind of Old firm debate here but those specific Celtic fans can't be defended for those actions IMO) did he do or say something in the same vein directly mocking the tragedy? Or he was he simply drunk and obnoxious in the presence of people in mourning the day after the attack? Because for me there is a huge difference between A and B.

 

[Yankeedom]

The links don't make mention of what was said but they do state Lampard was involved in the mocking of Americans.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/pi...-and-off-field-controversies-in-pictures.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1341356/Chelsea-four-fined-for-drunken-abuse.html

And this blurb from his wikipedia page (I know not always the most reliable source):

"On 23 September 2001, Lampard, along with three other Chelsea players was fined two weeks wages by the club for his behaviour whilst on a drinking binge on 12 September. Lampard and the others had abused American tourists at a Heathrow hotel, just 24 hours after the 11 September attacks. A hotel manager stated "they were utterly disgusting. They just didn't seem to care about what had happened"

 

[Midas Mulligan]

If this dirt bag is actually signed, it really pisses me off.

He better be down there sweeping the grounds at 1WTC EVERY DAMN DAY, after he publicly apologizes to every American for being a shitbag of highest order. Maybe then, and only then, will I consider supporting him.

Since he hasn't publicly apologized in 13 years, I won't be expecting one. So it's fair to say I'd honestly rather not have a DP than it be him. Same would go for his running buddy Terry. They are equally repulsive to me.

 

[Section1Guy]

Based on the lack of facts that I hear from that incident... It really sounds like they were wasted and rowdy at a bar with heartbroken Americans who were stuck in the airport because air travel was shut down. If that's what it was, then whatever. It sucks, but it is what it is.

If they were directing things at the Americans, then I have a problem. Either way... merits of his play, the signing is nice for the name. I don't know about the player much right now. I'm hoping in terms of effectiveness, he's DP 3 not 2.

 

[Falastur]

Based on the lack of facts that I hear from that incident... It really sounds like they were wasted and rowdy at a bar with heartbroken Americans who were stuck in the airport because air travel was shut down. If that's what it was, then whatever. It sucks, but it is what it is.

If they were directing things at the Americans, then I have a problem. Either way... merits of his play, the signing is nice for the name. I don't know about the player much right now. I'm hoping in terms of effectiveness, he's DP 3 not 2.

From what I can make out, he and a couple of other Chelsea players got very drunk (I mean, they ended up stripping naked in public) and were making jokes about other people in the Heathrow waiting room they were stuck in. There's no suggestion in any of the stories that anyone actually mentioned 9/11 at the time - they were likely so drunk they'd forgotten it had happened - so I'm guessing they were simply mocking American stereotypes.

I'll leave it up to you guys to decide if that changes anything.

 

[bluemanc]

I can't stand Chelsea, but Lampard has always come over as a decent and intelligent man.

 

[Across the Pond]

I don't remember the last time Lamp played a full 90 minutes so it should be interesting

Very good point, hopefully if paired with more energetic and young players, plus playing at a slower tempo in this league should suit him better at this age.

 

[Andy]

At that time Chelsea had a kind of brat pack getting involved in fights and whatever.. But nothing worse than what I did at his age, or to be honest, a lot less worse than what I did.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Here's what changes things: rumor is that Lampard will NOT get DP money.

I suddenly don't hate him nearly as much. He's a shit bag of the 3rd highest order now.

 

[ando]

If you don't want him just send him on a 10 game guest stint to Melbourne.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

If you don't want him just send him on a 10 game guest stint to Melbourne.

I will do what I can, good fellow, as I am certain Claudio and Kreis have seen and recognized my genius on this board and undoubtedly seek my cultured opinion.

Unfortunately for us, I'm honestly still waiting on my invite to front office meetings regarding player personnel. Can someone message me to see if PM is working properly?

 

[BxLio91]

If Frank comes here as a non DP, isn't that going to take a massive chunk out of our salary for role players?
Also I peep damn near any NYCFC mentions of twitter. Don't judge me

 

[BxLio91]

Sportscenter.

 

[zeven]

So he deserves support because he's a "a fantastic player"? Sorry but there are plenty of footballers out there who have my support because of their personal CHARACTER and because they are fantastic players.

If you're old enough to get drunk and abuse American tourists regarding something as tragic as 9/11, hours after it happened, then you are old enough to deserve any ill will people will have toward you.

I will never respect him. If he issued an apology and made some sort of donation to a 9/11 charity, then I could forgive him but I will never support him; nor will I forget what he did. I can only imagine what might be going through the minds of those who were directly affected by 9/11, to have a man (and I use that term very hesitantly) like Lampard represent an NYC team.

He deserves support because hes a NYCFC player, its that simple.

 

[twosips]

City fan here who's been browsing the forum for a bit but felt obliged to sign up cos of this debate.

Personally of the opinion that Lampard isn't a bad bloke. He might have made a drunken mistake when he was in his early twenties, yes, but I actually consider Lampard one of the brighter, more intelligent footballers. I'd go as far as to say I like him. He seems intelligent and articulate.

Gained a lot of respect for him when he rang a radio phone in show who had criticised him and how he'd dealt with his family. He comes across as quite an honourable man.

Yes, he may have been drunk and obnoxious on one very bleak day but he was very young and it was very unfortunate. If you can all honestly say that you've never done anything stupid (which is all it was) then fair enough. Don't hold one drunken debauched moment, which was most likely led by the scumbag that is John Terry too, as anything more than it was - it wasn't a personal direct attack on all things America i'm sure. It was just stupid.

Just be excited to have players such as David Villa and Lampard rocking up at your club. It's absolutely wonderful. I'm personally incredibly intrigued by the prospect. I presume Kries will take a few of the better city academy players too. Watching the likes of Thierry Ambrose, Brandon Barker and Seko Fofana (if any of them go) playing alongside established players like them and no doubt the pick of the MLS will be incredibly exciting.