DL535: Joke Referees, Villanova’s Madness, Tressel’s Cheating & Tiki’s TV Failure

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

We have four topics today and while Jim Tressel is taking over every show in the world, we decided to start with actual sports first, then get into that whole cheating mess.

• First, Robin Van Persie called the referee that gave him a double yellow in Arsenal’s farewell Champions League match “a joke.” He actually said, “It’s just a joke. He’s been bad all evening. He’s been a joke all evening, whistling against us. I don’t know why he’s here tonight. I think it’s a joke.”

What happens to RVP, or his teammates who sarcastically tweets about how good a job the ref did? Sir Alex was slapped for questioning an EPL referee, but what does UEFA do about it? And how great is it when athletes just don’t care and say what they want? It’s really great.

• Next, we rip on Villanova. A lot. We also talk about ESPN putting the Big East women’s final on the mothership while the Big East men’s first round was on ESPNU. What do youREAD MORE

Call of the Day: Cesc Fabregas Is Great At Soccer, Terrible At Math

Cesc Fabregas led Arsenal to a world-shocking victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League yesterday. The Arsenal captain, who has long been rumored to join the Barca stable, downplayed the significance of the victory as just one half of the ultimate goal of knocking out “the best side in football history.” The only problem…during his official Champions League post-match interview, the Arsenal captain got a little confused with exactly how long halfway is.

I love the fact that he was interrupted during his first answer, yet wasn’t corrected when he said they’ve only played 45 of 90, er, 180 minutes. Also, I’m certain that fans of the Gunners around the world will take a captain who played like he did yesterday, regardless of his computation skills.

Call of the Day: Pedro Leon’s Goal Champions League Goal & Jose Mourinho’s Reaction

Let’s play a little game of which call is better. Here’s Pedro Leon’s stoppage time equalizing goal for Real Madrid as they eeked out a tie against AC Milan in the group stage of the Champions League. So which is better: the understated English version or the version with all the yelling? Sometimes excitement you can’t understand actually makes the call more exciting, so is this one of those times, or is he trying too hard? Hey, maybe the English feed is trying too hard not to get too excited. (Note: if someone has the Spanish call, please pass it along.)

The goal continued Real Madrid’s unbeaten streak under manager (and cartoon character) Jose Mourinho. Cartoon character, we say?

“There was no way Madrid could leave this stadium with a defeat, so the late goal was entirely deserved,” Mourinho toldSky Sport Italia. “Our team is very young and has to grow, but has immense potential. Tonight we proved our talent and that we are still a little naïve, so we have to be more cynical to win theREAD MORE