Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne Rooney too busy to worry, says Colin Montgomerie
Colin Montgomerie, another high-profile figure at the centre of controversy over his private life, believes it is easier for Wayne Rooney to forget his domestic problems playing 90 minutes of football than it is for sportsmen left with more time to think. [LNB]European Ryder Cup captain Monty, who has served a super injunction to prevent a former girlfriend publicising an incendiary kiss 'n' tell that has been the talk of golf since The Open, will understand better than most the mental turmoil facing Rooney before tonight's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in Basle. [LNB]But Monty, on his way through Heathrow to Holland yesterday to promote The Dutch, his golf course design near Utrecht which is competing to host the 2018 Ryder Cup, says the non-stop action of a football match means Rooney won't have time to dwell on his troubles at home. [LNB] Controversial: Wayne Rooney (left) and Colin Montgomerie (right)[LNB]In contrast, Monty picked out golf, tennis and snooker as sports where the natural breaks in play allow more opportunity for any off-field demons to affect the focus. [LNB]Montgomerie also used a football comparison regarding his surprise decision to pick struggling Padraig Harrington as a wildcard for Celtic Manor rather than world No 8 Paul Casey, saying it was similar to Fabio Capello not taking Theo Walcott to the World Cup. [LNB]But Monty remains confident Harrington will repay his faith in Wales. [LNB] More from Charles Sale... CHARLES SALE: England striker Wayne Rooney's assault on Press free speech05/09/10 CHARLES SALE: Tony McCoy has whip hand in BBC Sports Personality race03/09/10 CHARLES SALE: FA concern grows as BBC 2018 bid expos?athers pace02/09/10 Charles Sale: England sponsors? Watch this space...01/09/10 CHARLES SALE: FA age limit paves way for favourite David Dein to bag top job31/08/10 CHARLES SALE: Dealer tag makes Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp wheely mad30/08/10 CHARLES SALE: Poor presentation yet again at Lord's after Pakistan beaten by England29/08/10 CHARLES SALE: Nike fishing for a prime base for London 201227/08/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE The big UK gambling firms have distanced themselves from the spot-betting at the centre of the Pakistan storm. Yet William Hill were heavily promoting their offer of 10-1 on the opening delivery of the England innings being a no-ball before Sunday's first Twenty20 international in Cardiff. [LNB]BBC sports presenter Clare Balding showed a remarkably thin skin with her complete overreaction to a tweet from a Sports Journalists' Association spokesman. [LNB]He was replying to Balding telling the SJA the BBC were not screening the cross-country stage of the Burghley Horse Trials because of the 'falls and the unpredictability timewise'. [LNB]The smart alec SJA response pointed out sport is supposed to be unpredictable but failed to mention the 'timewise' element. This omission caused Balding, a former SJA committee member, to label them 'pathetic'.[LNB] Many might agree, although the spat shows neither side in a good light. [LNB]There is ongoing puzzlement at the top of the FA as to why their former compliance chief David Lampitt would leave to become chief executive of doomed Portsmouth. [LNB]The club face yet another critical moment on Thursday when the Football League board meet to discuss Pompey coming out of administration under the control of former owner Balram Chainrai. [LNB]There is major concern at the FA and Football League about Chainrai's alleged association with fugitive from justice Arkadi Gaydamak, father of another previous owner, Alexandre, but not enough evidence to block Chainrai. [LNB]Lampitt defends his unlikely job switch, saying it was his big opportunity to run a football club. [LNB]Gerrard leads the way [LNB]Wearing the armband: Steven Gerrard[LNB]Steven Gerrard is leading England by example on the pitch and is an increasingly assured spokesman for the team off it as well, even during the most difficult of times.[LNB] Imagine the potential carnage for the FA yesterday if Rio Ferdinand - who was with Wayne Rooney in the Manchester 235 Casino when he first met call girl Jennifer Thompson - had to front up to the media as England captain. [LNB]Gerrard now looks the best choice to be permanent skipper. [LNB]Dropping £50,000 on a rash wager can have its advantages. Balthazar Fabricius left Labrokes after Sports Agenda revealed he had lost a £500 bet with Zac Goldsmith at odds of 100-1 after Australia failed to take a first-innings lead in the final 2005 Ashes Test at The Oval. [LNB]After the honourable way Fabricius reacted to losing his job and his house deposit, Goldsmith and his brother Ben backed his start-up boutique betting firm Fitzdares and five years on Fabricius is reported to be worth £8million. [LNB]
