World Cup qual. - Ireland explains 'Grannygate'

Eurosport - Sat, 22 Nov 13:49:00 2008

Man City midfielder Stephen Ireland has revealed the full story behind the infamous 'Grannygate' affair.

FOOTBALL Stephen Ireland Manchester City 2008 - 0

Ireland has received hate mail after lying about a death in his family to be sent home from international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

He then pulled out of a subsequent squad to play Germany and Cyprus as he "would not do his country or himself justice" and has not played for his country since.

Ireland told the Daily Telegraph: "What I'm going to say now has never come out before.

"But I feel it is maybe time to say something because I'm getting a very bad press in Ireland, with hate mail being sent here to the training ground."

Ireland received a call from his distressed girlfriend last September just hours before the Republic's clash in Slovakia.

"She was crying like mad, saying she'd had a miscarriage," said Ireland, who kept the news to himself and scored in the 2-2 draw.

But the then Republic boss Steve Staunton had heard something else on his return to the dressing room.

The 22-year-old continued: "The boss said there'd been a death in my family. My girlfriend had rang Steve's secretary and told her that.

"She just wanted me home and she didn't want to tell a complete stranger that she'd had a miscarriage."

So Ireland flew home to find that media reports were saying that his grandma had died.

He added: "I thought 'Oh, no!' They'd dug a hole for me. A big hole. Steve said I should have just told him the truth. At the time, though, it was just chaos.

"My girlfriend was young. I was young. I didn't want to tell everyone my private business.

"Not only that, I couldn't turn around and say my girlfriend was lying. I had to stand by her."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. but that stil dont explain why u wont play for ireland­ animore...

    From ray, on Wed 26 Nov 11:51PM

  2. In this case,Stand By Your Woman ,put it behind you­ (the past national team games),then in future try to­ explain as best you can the situation,i'm sure most­ people would then understand - including Managers,as­ i'm sure you & your partner are still having to­ live with losing a child,your playing well now- so good­ luck in future (though i obviously don't mean good­ luck against my beloved Man U)

    From STEPHEN E, on Tue 25 Nov 11:32PM

  3. just get over it ireland are @#$% and he doesnt want to­ play for a small country its a waste of his time why­ bother...............................

    From johnpercival80, on Mon 24 Nov 1:35AM

  4. maybe rooney would be intrested in irelands granny

    From andyguy1962, on Sun 23 Nov 10:00PM

  5. If Ireland had wanted to get back to his girlfriend but­ not court publicity he should have explained the­ situation to Steve Staunton. Staunton could have said­ that Ireland had a tummy bug, wasn't fit to play­ and was going home so as not to infect the squad. Easy­ and no-one's the wiser.

    From quatt47, on Sun 23 Nov 1:29PM

  6. Tha lad (and the press) should put this behind him and­ give his country the sort of performances he is giving­ City.
    He is quite plainly the best player in the squad­ on a regular basis.
    Hope his GF is all right.

    From Andy, on Sun 23 Nov 9:21AM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    "bazpur" you are a @#$% and should shut your­ mouth

    From Omser, on Sat 22 Nov 8:50PM

  8. your better off in england son, the irish are being­ very petty and small minded. you get no thanks when you­ do play for them either. stick to club football and­ look after your family.

    From bazspur4, on Sat 22 Nov 2:01PM

  9. LOL WTF... i dont think lol has any place in your reply

    From james w, on Sat 22 Nov 1:59PM

  10. It's not about shame, it's about a right to­ have privacy and a personal life away from the game and­ away from the media spotlight.

    No one should have to­ have the media pry into their own personal and private­ tragedy.

    If they want to share it with the media and­ with the world, that's fine, but there is no­ automatic right for us to know everything about a­ sportsmans life.

    From Scottish C, on Sat 22 Nov 1:56PM

  11. Shame on those so quick to judge.

    I hope those who­ have sent hate mail are named and shamed, and any­ journalists who have been ready to criticise this lad­ are as forthcoming with their apologies.

    It is an­ amazing honour to be chosen to play for your country,­ but in matters of life, death & personal tragedy,­ then football is just not important at all!

    From Scottish C, on Sat 22 Nov 1:53PM

  12. lol it was a friendly who cares...miscarriages happen­ to everyone stevie, no shame there...

    From dustin, on Sat 22 Nov 1:50PM
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