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. "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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