LONDON: Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini has lashed out at the “drinking culture” of British football after a video of a boozy night out involving members of his squad appeared on the Internet.

Grainy footage showing City stars Adam Johnson, Gareth Barry, Joe Hart and Shay Given at a student house party appeared online shortly after the quartet went on a trip to Scotland earlier this week.

Mancini had recently warned his players to curb their drinking habits to prolong their careers, after separate newspaper reports showed England goalkeeper Hart dancing on a bar in the Spanish resort of Marbella.

Speaking about the latest revelations, Mancini declined to confirm whether any disciplinary action would be taken but admitted he was baffled by his players' activities.

“I have not seen this video but I told them my opinion about this situation 10 days ago,” Mancini said.

“I don't understand this. The video was on Monday, and Monday was a day off. Some players can do what they want, but I don't understand why.

“I am unhappy about this, but for them. We play every three days and it is difficult to recover.

“I think this problem is not only for us, it is for many players. For British players, it is part of the culture.” -AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Caught in between
Updated 13 Apr, 2025

Caught in between

In the absence of a trade agreement, under WTO rules, Pakistan cannot reduce duty rates for the US without doing the same for other countries.
Spirit of giving
13 Apr, 2025

Spirit of giving

THE recent declaration by ulema affirming that organ donation after death is not only permissible but an act of...
Targeting dissent
13 Apr, 2025

Targeting dissent

THE recent notice sent by the FIA to former senator Farhatullah Babar is deeply troubling — and revealing....
Stranded Afghans
Updated 12 Apr, 2025

Stranded Afghans

It is both unfair and dangerous that Afghan people’s immediate well-being has been left entirely to Pakistan to consider.
Peaceful protest
12 Apr, 2025

Peaceful protest

A CONCLAVE of local divines that had gathered in Islamabad on Thursday have made two important points: firstly, that...
Squash hopes
12 Apr, 2025

Squash hopes

IT was a monumental triumph: Noor Zaman came back from the brink to clinch the Under-23 World Squash Championships...