Movember 5s 2011

Group stage 1: Populus 1 – 3 Gorkana
Group stage 2: Gorkana 3 – 1 Blue Rubicon
Group stage 3: All Stars 1 – 0 Gorkana
Group stage 4: Gorkana 4 – 3 Bite Communications
Semi final: Gorkana 5 – 1 Freud Communciations
Final: Gorkana 2 – 4 Adidas

Dave Thompson’s managerial debut saw Gorkana FC finish as runner-ups at the Movember 5s Power League tournament.

Team Gorkana had arrived early, and after an highly energising lunch of nuts and Mars bars (later supplemented by several Danish pastries, Lucozade, coffees and teas), the team went out to warm up beneath the arch of Wembley Stadium in the cold November rain.

Confident of progressing beyond the group stages after watching our group opponents’ opener, and not to mention a motivational speech from Coach Thompson, Gorkana lined up its strongest team for the twelve minute game against Populus, and exercised control over possession and territory with Oli Bridge and Jeffrey Oshinyemi on the flanks. However, despite dominating proceedings, Gorkana fell behind to a goal against the run of play in the sixth minute with the opposition’s first shot of the game. The immediate introduction of Louis Cointepas was critical, as his goal and two assists rescued the game for the Blues, who eventually came home as 3-1 winners. Dave ‘Opta Joe’ Thompson’s post-match statistical analysis suggested the victory was deserved, with Gorkana forcing eight shots on the Populus goal and conceding two shots.

A similar pattern developed in the second game against Blue Rubicon, who cancelled out Gorkana’s first goal with almost their first attack despite a barrage of shots from the Blues’ forwards, led by Tim Brown. Notable heroics at 2-1 up from Jeffrey, playing in goal with a damaged wrist, to preserve the Blues’ lead.

Gorkana’s next challenge looked to be its toughest as the Allstars, something of an unknown quantity spearheaded by a ginger twenty or thirty-something wunderkind, had also accumulated six points from their first two games. A narrow contest ensued, and this match was settled by a single goal from the aforementioned despite the best efforts of some close marking from Tom Foley, and Gorkana were not able to find the breakthrough needed to level the game and ensure qualification from the group stages.

The Blues then had to wait until the next match against Bite Communications, recent opponents at Kennington Park, and eventually ran out winners with a nerve-jangling 4-3 victory. Previous statistical consistency disappeared entirely in this game as Ed Riley made several unbelievable saves, including tipping a shot onto the cross bar at full stretch. For their part, Gorkana also hammered in numerous shots on the opposition goal, protected by the (officially) coolest and busiest keeper of the tournament, to whom an illegal tapping up approach may or may not have been considered.

Gorkana adopted a different formation two forwards and two at the back for the semi-final clash vs Freud, also frequent visitors to at Kennington, and this approach paid dividends. This provided a solid defence and irresistible attack, and with Ed Rhodes at the heart of some magnificent passing and movement, Gorkana ran in five goals to set reach the final, where Adidas awaited.

Three early goals from the hard-hitting shoot-on sight Chelsea-clad players damaged Gorkana’s hopes, provoking a series of substitutions from the Blues. Gorkana’s fightback brought the score back to 4-2, and were there more time then perhaps the result would have been different, but the clock prevented it and they had to settle as finalists.

A splendid day out nevertheless: thanks to Ed Riley for organising!

Gorkana FC 8 – 0 TVC Group

A strong display by FC Gorkana saw the Blues accomplish an 8-0 demolition of The TVC Group on Wednesday night’s cold Kennington Park turf.

The Blues started with early attacking intent and created a number of decent shooting opportunities in quick succession, but a combination of excellent goalkeeping and slightly wayward shooting kept the scores level. Dominating in terms of possession and territory, Gorkana had firmly pinned the opposition into their own half with a few breakaways well tidied up by a solid defensive backline.

The first goal, fifteen minutes in, originated in this zone when Jeffrey Oshinyemi, after tidying up at the back, dribbled down the right wing and drilled a cross-come-shot into the path of Oli Bridge. The striker, making a long-anticipated return to the team, tucked the ball neatly into the corner with the keeper moving the other way.

A second goal followed shortly after as Louis Cointepas collected a throw in, held off the defender and curled the ball into the top right-hand corner, again wrong-footing the keeper. Advantage Gorkana, and the Blues were well worth their lead.

Two fine goals at this stage, but the third was better still. Louis’ lofted cross from the left wing gave new signing Baptiste Emblanc enough time and space in the centre to fire in a powerful volley fast the keeper for a beautiful goal.

Commanding goalkeeping from Mick Hay and some solid defending from Ben George and Tom Foley allowed Gorkana to maintain pressure high up the field and launch quick counter attacks. This ability to turn defence into attack at speed was proving pivotal, thanks to numerous incisive long range cross field passes from Brad Hay in particular, who provided a regular threat from the right channel and full back position. Chances were plentiful, and it seemed the floodgates were ready to open.

Baptiste’s secured his second goal of the night and Gorkana’s fourth mirroring his first, as Louis again found him unmarked at the far post to volley in powerfully from a narrower angle before two long range goals from Oli and Louis, both of whiFC Gorkana 8 – 0 TVC Groupch nicked the post on the way in, put the result beyond question. At 6-0, Gorkana did not take their foot off the gas and Oli’s mazy dribble and flick past the keeper capped off a fine hat-trick on his return to the team. Baptiste then matched the feat with the very last kick of the game, smashing home a rebound from the keeper’s parry.

This was a very competent display from Gorkana with pinpoint passing, great off the ball movement, and crucially sublime finishing with spectacular goals.

Man of the Match: hat-trick hero Baptiste Emblanc for his incisive running, never say die attitude and exquisite finishing. A terror for the TVC Group defenders!

Gorkana FC 6 – 1 Burston Marsteller

Gorkana returned to winning ways with a spectacular victory over Burston Marsteller last night.

The five Gorkanaites were supplemented by two ringers for the occasion, and this team gelled superbly to devastating effect.

Whilst Burston Marsteller were not a bad team as such, the precision passing and hardworking movement off the ball seemed to provide plenty of space and time for Gorkana, and every pass found a blue shirt in acres of room. The first of six goals was capped off by the outstanding Kris Mondal in a splendid move starting deep in Gorkana territory. A square ball from Tom Foley at right back to Ed

Worthington at left back was passed up field for James Liddell in the centre, typically calm and composed on the ball. His lay off to Oli Bridge on the left gave the pacy winger space to cross into the feet of Kris Mondal to smash the ball past the visiting keeper.

Gorkana, looking imminently dangerous from all over the pitch, doubled their tally shortly thereafter through Kris once again, before he grabbed an assist in another flowing move for the team’s third. Once Oli collected a pass from the left flank, his first touch with the outside of his right boot controlled the ball; his second curled it around the keeper into the right hand top corner. The 3-0 scoreline was bringing some much needed confidence to Gorkana’s game, and the hard luck of previous weeks was banished!

However, it was Burston who next managed to get on the scoresheet with a simple goal from a short corner when a green shirt took a pass to the edge of the box and shot hard across the face of goal.

Hope of a comeback was shortlived though, for that man Kris Mondal was at it again. Gorkana’s star performer was able manufactured himself some space on the edge of the box, turning to face the keeper. A cheeky dummy saw the keeper fooled and after he dived the wrong way, Kris free to lofted the ball into an empty net to secure his first half hat trick.

Burson Marsteller now adopted a cavalier all attack approach, but this ploy worked to Gorkana’s advantage. Solid in the tackle with Ed in particular taking no prisoners (only silky touches), the team were able to soak up the pressure and could break forward unchecked with several counter attacks which should arguably have further extended their lead.

That matter seemed only a question of time, and as was the case throughout the evening, the damage was done through Kris. A pass from the left flank perfectly dissected the defence and his sidefoot and spin off away from the box presented Ed, charging up from central midfield, with a one-on-one shot at the keeper to finish with consummate ease box and wrong foot his opponent in the process.

The final goal game from James Liddell, who waltzed his way around the right back, jinxed the centre back and blasted low across into the corner of the goal.

A fantastic display from the Gorkana, whose teamwork made great advantage of the space on the pitch and manmarked the Burston players out the game.

 

Man of the match: hat-trick hero and double-assistee, Kris Mondal, involved in (at least) 5 goals. Powerful!

Gorkana FC 2 – Cow PR 5

Kennington Park was last night invaded for the visit of Cow PR to Gorkana FC’s home turf.

The visiting team appeared a quirky bunch on first glance, and certainly did not disappoint. Their team featured, upon first glance, a female, a Viking, and a keeper emblazoned in a shirt so horrific, it could have graced any Premiership side of the early 1990s (Neil Sullivan would have been proud…), not to mention an entourage of a dozen travelling supporters equipped for the occasion with beer, cider, gin and tonic and banners.

The Gorkana team, whilst missing some of its usual suspects, was also well equipped for the occasion and welcomed back Oli Bridge and James Stanyer into the team alongside captain Ed Riley and James Liddell, a regular opponent of the Blues.

With Alex Baker running the left flank, Kris Mondal marshalling the midfield and Oli Bridge posing a threat just about everywhere, the early exchanges saw some nice movement from each team. Perhaps the increasing influence of Cow’s 8^th Man on the sidelines transferred onto the pitch partway through the first half, with every touch greeted to a chorus of either moos or boos. After the Cows early shots, which had not greatly tested keeper Ed Riley, solid in the net, the visitors were able to break through by flashing a shot into the corner from wide left. Minutes later they followed up by tucking in a second goal from a similar area, which the stand in custodian could do nothing to prevent.

Cue a tactical change from the Blues which heralded a recovery in the centre of the park, and Gorkana could re-instill their dangerous rhythm. Further shots were traded, with Gorkana looking the likelier to score at this stage.

Cow delivered a killer blow soon after half time when our female opponent, rumoured to be a former professional from the US league, who by this stage had skinned Tom Foley on several occasions, managed to find an unmarked winger with acres of space and time just outside the box with neat flick on, allowing him to shoot hard into the top left corner and give James Stanyer no chance in goal.

With Tom Foley and Alex Baker working hard at the back, Gorkana were able to press upfield and to good effect shortly after: James Liddell combined with Oli Bridge and Kris Mondal to rifle the ball past the keeper, before a further two breakaway goals made it 5-1 to the delight of the travelling contingent.

Gorkana were not finished however, and Kris Mondal played the pantomime villain to score once more, sliding in bravely to meet a cross from the right ahead of the onrushing keeper. Both sides seemed to throw caution to the wind in throwing players forward for the final few minutes, but the scoreline remained until the church bells tolled.

A match played in great spirit from both sides; good effort to Cow for supplying the highest attendance of the season, and a good effort from this writer in avoiding cow-related puns. It was tempting.

Gorkana FC 2 – 4 Grayling FC

Six Gorkana warriors plus one guest, kitted up in an assortment of blues, purple, olive green and other lined up, to go toe-to-toe against the red jerseys of Grayling FC. With a fairly even pre-match record between the two sides, this game was sure to be a close contest.

Unfortunately, it was the visitors who sprang out of the blocks quickest and raced into an early 2-0 lead thanks to some clinical finishing. The first blow was struck as a powerful shot from the edge of the box was drilled into the net. Shortly after an inch-perfect shot was lofted from the right hand side of the box into the top left hand corner, agonisingly beyond the glove of full stretch guest keeper Chris Bennett.

However, in true Mick Hay spirit, Gorkana dug deep and did not give up the ghost (his idioms clearly live on too). Oli Bridge’s mazy run was capped off with a fierce shot of trademark power and precision, nestling in the bottom left hand corner. The game suddenly became more open with Gorkana right back in the mix.

Although Grayling were able to re-establish their two goal lead, Gorkana were still creating chances, and when Tim Brown was felled in a dangerous area, Gorkana might have felt short-changed with merely the resultant free kick. James Stanyer’s neat interplay with Oli on the left also found him bearing through on goal, but the keeper was able to match his effort. Tom Foley then managed to cut in from the right to set up Eppo Heemstra for a shot that flashed narrowly wide as a series of shots from Tim and Oli raining in on the Grayling goal afforded them no complacency.

This particular journalist would like to vent his frustration at Grayling’s refusal to accept responsibility for booting the ball out of the park and the lengthy retrieval that ensued, and hopes with equal severity that the opposing player dropped his claim for their throw in.

A breakaway goal looked to have sealed the game for Gorkana as a lone attacker managed to squeeze the ball in off the post and past newly-rotated keeper Andy Robinson from an impossibly tight angle, but Gorkana hit back immediately with a sweeping move upfield. Tim, furrowing the perfect lone striker’s role at this stage, held up the ball nicely in the centre before laying it out to Chris, who struck home with a crisp finish.

Alas, no time for a continued comeback, but a performance Gorkana can be proud of against well-marshalled opposition.

Man of the match: Oli Bridge, for covering every inch of grass (sand) on the field (beach).

A Disastrous Season?

The 2008/09 season has been a disastrous season for Formula 1.

Before the season had even begun, it was shrouded in controversy and confusion as talk of financial restrictions reigned.

If it ain’t broke…

Firstly, the much maligned KERS (Kinetic Energy Reduction System) was introduced in an attempt to save on energy output by storing some of the car’s energy to use for a later power surge. However, fast-forward four races and all but two teams (Ferrari and McClaren) had abandoned the idea, somewhat ironically citing a lack of end product given the investment required. Consequentially, the Formula One Teams Association, FOTA has now agreed to scrap the idea entirely for the 2009/10 season, which will do little to silence those who criticise the sport’s sky high expenditures.

In the early stages of the season, there were rumblings from the F1 powers that be of a £40 million budget cap, which the teams strongly opposed. Economic crisis there may be, but for a Formula 1 outfit to run a global operation, develop cutting edge technology and transport its entire entourage across circuits in five different continents for half the transfer fee of one Cristiano Ronaldo is perhaps a little too ambitious.

FIA President Max Mosely refused to give way on the issue, and a bitter protest against such tight budget restrictions involved the teams threatening a breakaway league, spearheaded by Ferrari. The future of Formula 1 was plunged into chaos: surely it would not survive without its biggest name and star attraction, and I’m not talking about Mosely’s ego…

Mosely has riled FOTA on many an occasion, with some quarters accusing him of wanting too much control. Fortunately, a compromise has been agreed for next year: the budget cap will not be set so low, the president will stand down as previously agreed and the competition will continue in its current format.

Yet Mosely does have a point since the economic crisis has indeed taken its toll: Honda’s departure resulted in a miraculous rise from the ashes for the Brawn GP team, but Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld will be searching for new employers after BMW announced it would not pursue activities in Formula 1 next year. At the time of writing it appears that Kubica will succeed Ferrari-bound Fernando Alonso in the Renault hotseat, and Raikkonen will return to former employers McClaren.

Scarred by scandals

For McClaren, who were keen to get back into the FIA’s good books after being found guilty of spying, the season started catastrophically when Lewis Hamilton was penalised at the Australian Grand Prix for lying to race stewards. For the world champion to be caught and convicted in such dramatic fashion was a serious blemish on a sport not reputed for its moral and ethical values, and this would prove itself again.

Indeed, Formula 1 is a sport long associated with scandals. The figureheads at the top of Formula 1 have often caused public embarrassment and this year is no exception. Even after the well documented affair of Mosely’s Nazi-themed orgy, F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone unfortunately told The Times on July 4th that he admired Adolf Hitler for his ability to “get things done” and praised Mosley’s preference for authoritarianism when the 79 year old suggested he may renegade on his decision to stand down.

The season was not going well: teams in financial trouble, structural and political uncertainties and the traditional heavyweights and former world champions unusually languishing at the back of the grid. But the next revelation dwarfed any other and rocked Formula 1 to its very core.

Formula One’s “darkest hour”

When former Renault F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jnr alleged he was ordered by team boss Flavio Briatore and chief engineer Pat Symmonds to crash his car in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, the team quickly denied claims by saying they would launch a lawsuit against the “blackmail attempt”.

Then the FIA announced they would investigate the incident, of which Max Mosley claimed to have previous knowledge, and Flavio Briatore and Pat Symmonds both promptly stepped down. Some have denounced it the worst case of cheating in the motor-racing history, Formula 1’s “darkest hour”.

Renault received a lenient two year suspended sentence, while Briatore was handed a lifetime ban from all F1 events and Symmonds is excluded for 5 years. The ramifications of this verdict must be considered: the outcome seems much less harsh than McClaren’s sentence for taking information from its rivals, when it was immediately thrown out of the championship and fined a record £49 million. All Renault has to do is ensure that no such orders are followed again for 24 months.

Not only does the action of crashing a car contradict the spirit and essence of motor-racing, but it also puts its driver in danger and those of other drivers, so it surely merited a heavier punishment. Some may suggest that F1 could not afford to let another manufacturer leave and the duo took the bullet for the team. But as Renault’s stand-in chief Bob Bell concurred, it was certainly a lenient verdict.

And yet despite, such negative press, the upside is that it generates attention for perhaps the greatest show on earth. Formula 1 has rarely enjoyed such media prominence, even in such an exciting season. It has the whole world gripped on tenterhooks: can Button last out the fight to stave off his challengers after a decade of unfulfilled potential, could Michael Schumacher make a sensational return to race against the daring Lewis Hamilton, and just how will Renault cope with the shell shock impact of the race fixing allegation?

Compare the last two seasons to Schumacher’s years of domination. Remember Lewis Hamilton taking the title from Felipe Massa on the very last corner of Sao Paolo?. Formula 1 has undeniably become more interesting.

For the time being, France’s Magny Cours circuit has been replaced, as may be the case with Silverstone if Donnington can hurry its preparations, and global excitement was evident as the night time race made its debut in Singapore.

The new rules and regulations have also served their part. The key to success was who could adapt to the changes the quickest, hence Brawn’s flying start. In Ross Brawn and Red Bull, Formula 1 has a new avant-garde and it will be interesting to see how long it takes the traditional giants of Ferrari, McClaren and Renault to catch up.

Furthermore, no one driver is currently dominating and results are unpredictable. Winners could come from all over the field: Button, Barrichello, Alonso, Hamilton, Webber, Vettel, Raikkonen and Massa before his accident. This year six different drivers have won races and with three still to go, the championship is still a three way battle. That arguably makes for more interesting viewing than last year when, although the championship went right down to the wire, Hamilton and Massa shared 13 of 17 available victories.

Coupled with three new constructors (Lotus, Manor and Campos) taking to the grid next year, which will only serve to add to the competition, Formula 1 does not need to worry greatly about its future and very much has things going for it. I’ll certainly be there!

Renault revelations rock F1

Former Renault F1 driver Nelson Picquet Jnr has claimed that he was ordered by team boss Flavio Briatore and chief engineer Pat Symmonds to crash his car in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix so that the safety car would be deployed in order to benefit team mate Fernando Alonso.

Alonso did go on to win the Grand Prix and the F1 Championship, with Renault taking the constructors’ championship that year.

Some suspicions were raised following the race, but the dust settled and the issue was not again brought into question until Renault recently fired Picquet and replaced him with newcomer Romain Grosjean.

The Brazilian driver was irked at the decision by the Renault F1 team and threatened court action, citing unfair dismissal. This action was later followed up with the allegation that the crash was not unintentional, vehemently denied by Renault.

The F1A announced they would investigate the incident, about which Max Mosley claims to have previously known, and Flavio Briatore and Pat Symmonds both promptly stepped down.

Crucially, Renault did not back its two staff and wish to publicly distance themselves from the event. This move throws the team’s entire participation in the sport into jeopardy, and despite his swift departure in an attempt to “save the team”, Briatore suggests that others are implicated.

Nelson Picquet Junior’s full statement is available at the F1A website.

Adebayor’s feet working faster than his head

Despite shoring up their credentials as a serious Premier League contender with a convincing victory over Champions League rivals Arsenal on Saturday, the Manchester City headlines are once again focussed on off-pitch distractions.

An entertaining match marred by the provocations of Emmanuel Adebayor, the FA has subsequently declared it will carry out an investigation into the conduct of the Manchester City striker, a £25 million signing from the Gunners this summer, after his new team beat his old team 4-2 on Saturday.

If Arsenal fans were not overly disappointed to part with Adebayor after last season, any remnants of affection will surely have evaporated as he served as a catalyst in an emotion-charged affair at the Eastlands stadium.

The Togo captain first appeared to stamp on Robin van Persie before he riled Arsenal supporters with an exuberant goal celebration, for which he was booked, by charging across the field an away from his own team mates in order to celebrate in front of away supporters. If found guilty, he could miss up to six games, as each offence would merit a three game ban.

Adebayor told the Sun newspaper “I don’t know what I have done wrong to get banned”.

The 25 year old first incited opposition fans’ anger when his right boot made contact with van Persie, on the floor, after he had evaded the Dutchman’s wild sliding challenge.

Following the match, he protested his innocence to Sky Sports and claimed his actions were not meant maliciously.

“I was trying to kick the ball,” he said. “I see him tackling and I don’t have time to take my feet back because I’m trying to kick the ball. My feet touch his head. I feel sorry for him and even straight away, and at the end of the game, I said sorry.”

Van Persie, who suffered cuts to the face and needed considerable treatment from a physio, rejects this version of events and heavily criticised his former team mate.

“He set out to hurt me. I do feel lucky that I have not received a greater injury. I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.

“The contact was only centimetres from my eye. I have not received an apology from him, there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda today and that is bad for football. It’s bad for the game we all love. He has shown a real lack of class, to me and the fans.”

While Arsene Wenger refused to comment before seeing a replay, City boss Mark Hughes defended his player, citing a “tremendous amount of personal abuse from kick-off”.

“We expect high standards of behaviour from our players and it is easy in the cold light of day, when the adrenalin has died down, to talk about what players should and shouldn’t do in that situation. Ade again immediately apologised but we know the FA will be reviewing the matter.”

Adebayor’s second moment of controversy came courtesy of his goal celebration on 80 minutes, for which he apologised and said it was a spur of the moment reaction.

“The emotion took over me,” admitted Adebayor. “Now I just have to say sorry.

“It was silly to run up in front of the Arsenal fans but these people have been insulting me all game. Even in the warm-up they were insulting me. They were saying things that are not nice to hear, personal things.

“I didn’t plan it, not at all. I didn’t even know that I would score. The way things were going from the warm-up, at the end it came into my head.”

Adebayor may escape further punishment for the goal celebration, as he was booked at the time by referee Mark Clattenberg, but the FA stated that it will “take a close look” at both incidents, which have left them “unimpressed”. A verdict will be announced later this week.

Chelsea must learn from heavy sanction

The world football governing body FIFA has banned Chelsea FC from signing any players for the next two transfer windows, following a ruling that the club illegally approached Gael Kakuta to induce the player, now 18, to break his contract with Lens in 2007.

This means that the London side cannot register any new players “nationally or internationally” until January 2011 and must additionally pay the French side “training compensation” of €130,000

A brief Chelsea statement explained that they intend to “mount the strongest possible appeal” and believe the punishment does not merit the “alleged offence”.

Chelsea will make an appeal via the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), but added “We cannot comment further until we receive the full written rationale for this extraordinarily arbitrary decision.”

FIFA’s announcement explained:

“The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such breach.”

FIFA’s dispute resolution chamber also extended the punishment to Kakuta as an individual. The top scorer and player of the season in the Chelsea Academy last year despite a double ankle fracture in February 2009 must pay his former club compensation of €780,000 and cannot participate in any official matches for four months. He is yet to make an appearance for the Chelsea first team, but is returning to full fitness with the reserves this season.

Lens had made an official complaint to FIFA in 2007 when Kakuta, 16 at the time, decided to leave after Chelsea approached and President Gervais Martel declared his satisfaction with the verdict as it will discourage clubs.

“We expected this kind of decision. The player was under contract with us and they came and stole him away from us,” he said.

“Chelsea didn’t follow the rules. They contacted the player when he wasn’t even 16 and while he had been contracted to our training group from the age of eight.

“The financial sanction isn’t over the top given the nature of the infringement, but it’s really quite significant when it comes to not being able to recruit players.

“It’s an important message given that protecting up-and-coming youth players who are contracted to clubs is an issue being followed closely by Uefa president Michel Platini.”

This is not the first instance of Chelsea apparently tapping up the players, which may well have had an effect upon the ruling. The Premier League fined them £300,000 in 2005 following the capture of Arsenal defender Ashley Cole after a bitter transfer saga. However the severity of this punishment will be much harder felt than the small amount that will not have dented Roman Abramovitch’s pockets.

Manchester United have also recently been accused of tapping up a French youngster after signing Paul Pogba from Le Havre, who say the 16 year old had agreed to play for them this season, but a Manchester United spokesman rejected the suggestion: “It is complete nonsense. Everything has been done within Uefa (European governing body) guidelines.”

Clouds gather for Semenya storm

When an athletics-related story dominates media attention even ahead of a certain Usain Bolt, it is likely to be big news, and there is huge media spotlight on the new women’s 800m world champion Caster Semenya

Usually, allegations of cheating involve doping accusations, but for the second time in modern history, there is controversy over an athlete’s gender.

An enquiry will take place concerning the 18 year old South African, who won the 800m by a street in the World Championships in Berlin, as the International Association of Athletics Federation have asked her to take a gender test to determine whether she is actually male or female, which will be carried out at “special hospitals” in Berlin and South Africa.”

Having just burst onto the global athletics scene, Caster has gone from complete unknown to world champion in the blink of an eye, leading to the IAAF request for a gender test after her startling performance at the African junior championships in Mauritius at the end of July.

Doubts were raised after she improved her personal best by seven seconds in nine months, and Semenya destroyed the field on Wednesday with a time of 1 minute 55.45 seconds. Her unassailable lead of five metres coming into the final straight was never under threat from 2007 champion Janeth Jepkosgei, who finished 2.45 seconds behind (the biggest margin in the history of the Athletics World Championship), or bronze medallist Briton Jenny Meadows.

The sheer performance gains are not the only suspicious factor: coupled with Semenya’s muscular physique, traces of facial hair and muscular features, rumours started fast and two of the seven other finalists are convinced she should be disqualified.

Sixth-place finisher Elisa Cusma Piccione of Italy told Los Angeles Times journalists “There are people who shouldn’t compete with us,”

Russian Mariya Savinova, who took fifth, agreed. “She is not a woman, she is a man. We let people win medals, and they don’t deserve it.”

Since it takes several weeks to process the test, results will not be obtained before she is due to collect her medal on Thursday, the athlete now faces intense media scrutiny.

Caster was initially protected from media glare by the South African Athletics Federation, as IAAF Secretary General Pierre Weiss handled a press conference in her place, admitting that it was a complex issue.

“At this stage, it’s confusing,” he said. “Personally I have no clue what’s going on. I rely on and trust our doctors. We would have preferred not to have had a controversy.”

“If it is proved that she is not a female, she will be withdrawn and the medals revised. At the moment, the athlete must be given the benefit of the doubt.”

The athlete has since claimed that the attention does not faze her, telling reporters “I don’t give a damn about it.”

The South African athletics federation reacted angrily to the situation and stated it is entirely convinced of her eligibility. General manager Molatelo Malehop issued a statement that they “would not have entered her in the female competition if we had any doubts.”

It is the timing of the investigation that has attracted heavy criticism of the IAAF, who made the announcement public before she took part in the final. 

Denise Lewis slated the treatment of the 18 year old as “absolutely dreadful” and said she found it “awful she had to compete with this hanging over her head. It should have been sorted out much, much sooner than this.”

The South African Olympics president, Gideon Sam, concurred.

“We condemn the way she was linked with such media speculation and allegation, especially on a day she ran in the final of her first major world event. We have every faith in Athletics South Africa and the team they selected to attend the World Championships in Berlin.”

Semenya’s family has also waded into the row, with her mother, Dorcus, expressing confidence the issue will be resolved. “I am not even worried…because I know who and what my child is. Mokgadi is a girl and no one can change that.”

“If you go (to) my home village and ask any of my neighbours, they would tell you that Mokgadi is a girl. 

Semenya comes from a remote village in the province of Limpopo and has received sympathy from many South Africans, where Facebook support groups have rapidly sprung up. The creator of one such group, Thabiso Theffo, said he wanted to “to show support for the running sensation who has received unfair treatment”.

In 1936, German highjumper Dora Ratjen won gold at the Berlin Olympics, but was later discovered to be a man by the name of Hermann. He claimed he had been pressurized by the Nazi government who wanted to win medals for the glory of the Third Reich.