A look at the week's best quotes from the world of sport.
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"Mourinho
is destroying Spanish football. There is talk about the Catalans, but the
problem is with Madrid. I think it's going too far. It cannot always end well.
In the end this will end very badly." Gerard Pique after Real
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho appeared to poke a Barcelona coach in the eye.
"We came here to play. What I'm about to
say is not a criticism, I'm just stating a fact: there were no ball-boys in the
second half, which is something typical of small teams when experiencing
difficulties. I'm not going to say we're happy because we didn't win the
Spanish Super Cup, that would be hypocritical of me. But we intended to play
like men and not fall on the ground at the slightest touch." A defiant
Jose Mourinho hits back.
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Joey Barton and
Jack Wilshere discuss the Newcastle player's scuffle with Arsenal forward
Gervinho on Twitter:
Wilshere: "I think @joey7barton was in the wrong today! He should not have got
invovled and assaulted Gerviniho like that #justsaying"
Barton: "@JackWilshere hardly assault??"
Wilshere: "@joey7barton that is a form of assault my
friend it should not happen on a football pitch!"
The pair should know - Wilshere received a police
caution for common assault in November 2010, while Barton was jailed in 2008
after admitting assault and affray.
"Bad
shirt, shoes and views from Shearer again. Sort it out slaphead..."
Quote machine Barton again, this time reacting to Alan Shearer's assessment
that the midfielder should have seen a red card for the Gervinho incident.
"There
are no facts, only interpretations." German philosopher Friedrich
Nietzsche, as retweeted by... Joey Barton.
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"I have
always wanted to come and play in MLS so it's the perfect combination for me
and a dream come true." Robbie Keane on signing for LA Galaxy.
Previously
from Keane:
"It has always
been my dream to play in the Premiership." After joining Coventry.
"It's
every kid's dream come true." After joining Inter Milan.
"I've
been a Liverpool fan all my life ... it's a dream come true." After
joining Liverpool.
"This is
a club that's dear to my heart." After joining Tottenham.
"I am a
Celtic fan ... I always wanted to play for Celtic." After joining
Celtic.
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"We are not
enamoured with the wallet Chelsea have got." Stoke manager Tony Pulis.
Does he really dislike their wallet, or does he mean 'endowed'?
"I know you all want to speak to the other bloke so I'll be off." Pulis understands his place in the media pecking order - behind Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas.
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"Despite
some funny rumours and stupid untruthful stories, I keep repeating myself that
you will have to see me in 2012, whether you like it or don't like it."
Michael Schumacher responds angrily to persistent rumours he will retire at the
end of the season.
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"I went on Jimmy Kimmel in my underwear,
so, of course I would do a soap opera. Hands down. When they told me I had the
opportunity and asked if I wanted to do a soap opera, I said, 'Of course, man.'
I'm not going to run away. When I was a kid, I wanted to be on TV. Why would I
run away from being on TV?" Los Angeles Lakers star Ron Artest
on his plans to play for British Basketball League side Cheshire Jets and star
in a soap opera - reportedly Coronation Street or Hollyoaks.
- - -
"But I do think it's stupid in tennis that I mean, in football if someone throws a helmet on the sideline, it's their helmet. We wonder where we lose our ratings battles to the WWE, Monday Night Raw. John McEnroe, the guy is still getting endorsements because he was allowed to throw s***." Andy Roddick is penalised a point during a defeat in Cincinnati, but turns philosopher come the post-match press conference.
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"Apart
from Ishant Sharma, this bowling attack has been like Leicestershire 2nd XI."
Geoffrey Boycott slams an Indian cricket team that arrived for their Test
series in England ranked one in the world.
- - -
"From
what I see, he's looking to turn (his game) around quicker by not playing much
golf, He may read that and say, 'Screw him.' I mean, he's my favourite player. But to get better, you've got to play."
Fred Couples aims a barb at Tiger Woods.
- - -
"The rebuilding of Leeds United is a bit like sex. In an age of instant gratification, Leeds United is having a long, drawn-out affair with plenty of foreplay and slow arousal." Ken Bates explains - and possibly induces nightmares - in the Leeds United club programme.
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"It's
not every day you get to date 25 women." By way of contrast to Bates, Welsh rugby
heartthrob Gavin Henson (pictured) speaks about starring in reality TV show 'The Bachelor'.