Big Sam & Wenger in King hope

30 October 2009 14:16
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Bosses Sam Allardyce and Arsene Wenger hope Marlon King's jail sentence does not tarnish the public image of the modern professional football.[LNB] The Premier League managers' pleas come after King was given an 18-month custodial sentence after being convicted of groping a young woman in a nightclub and then breaking her nose.[LNB]The Wigan striker is set to be sacked by his club for his actions after chairman Dave Whelan described the 29-year-old's conduct as 'upsetting'.[LNB]The King fall-out has illustrated the high-profile nature of the game in England in that the spotlight is constantly on footballers to handle themselves in the right manner and act as a positive role model.[LNB]And Allardyce has leapt to the defence of football players in general and suggested that King's actions were an isolated case.[LNB]Isolated caseAsked if he thought there was a problem with player behaviour in the UK, the Blackburn boss said: "Players make a huge contribution in this country.[LNB]"I think if you ask (Professional Footballers' Association chief executive) Gordon Taylor about how much charity work they do, it would answer your question.[LNB]"I spoke to him (Taylor) the other day and told him he really should put that out in the public domain, particularly at a time like this.[LNB]"We've got one isolated case which is very disappointing indeed, but overall, Premier League footballers and most of the footballers throughout the Football League, across the 92 clubs, do a huge amount for their communities and this country.[LNB]"(What has happened) doesn't help and it's a delicate situation, but he (King) has got what justice has served him."[LNB]WengerArsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes King should be allowed to return to the game after serving his sentence.[LNB]"I believe that you have justice and it's not my justice, it is the justice that England has decided to apply to his case," Wenger said.[LNB]"When he has paid his sentence, of course you would consider signing someone like that.[LNB]"Otherwise you would never forgive anybody anything. When he has paid his sentence, some clubs if they want, they will take him."[LNB]Wenger, like Allardyce, stressed King's situation should be considered "an isolated incident".[LNB]He said: "He is an individual and if you do what he has done, the fact that he has played football has nothing to do with it."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports