Gareth Bale Controversy over TeamGB – Calls for a Ban

Gareth Bale’s appearance and goal for Tottenham against LA Galaxy on Tuesday evening have sparked controversy as he withdrew from the TeamGB squad due to injury. There are calls for him to be banned from playing for Spurs during the Olympic competition while others are suggesting he should be omitted from the Spurs team for the start of the new Premier League season.

The Wales and Tottenham midfielder was expected to be one of the stars of TeamGB and Bale had spoken enthusiastically about taking part in the Olympic football competition. He was used to advertise the competition and modelled the TeamBG kit. it was seen as an opportunity for Bale to play in the finals of a tournament, something his country, Wales, have failed to achieve since 1958. Tottenham didn’t raise any objections and it seemed that Bale would be preparing for the competition ahead of the new season. Just before Stuart Pearce was to announce his squad, however, it was reported that Bale had injured his back and hip ahead of returning to his club for pre-season training and would be unavailable for the Olympics.

This caused serious concern to Spurs and their fans as Bale had struggled for a long period with a similar injury in season 2010 – 11, missing a large part of the second half of that campaign.

Bale travelled to America with the Tottenham squad and started the match against LA Galaxy on Tuesday, scoring the Tottenham goal early in the first half. He played until mid-way through the second half before being substituted. Yesterday, FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, spoke on the matter and sparked controversy with his views, suggesting that Bale could be banned. Blatter said,

"“If a club does not release a player then his Association can come to FIFA and we will then ban this player during the Olympics.”"

Such a ban would result in Bale missing the rest of Tottenham’s pre-season games but he would be available for the match against Newcastle United. For this to happen the Football Association would have to lodge an official complaint with FIFA but have not yet done so. For some commentators, however, such a ban isn’t sufficient suggesting that Bale should miss Spurs’ opening Premier League matches.

A Storm in Sepp Blatter’s Tea Cup

The issue is being blown out of proportion for a TeamGB which has come together at the last minute with minimum preparation and for a competition which football fans have little interest, the four Football associations couldn’t agree to participate, there are no players from Scotland or Northern Ireland in the squad and they could have used David Beckham as the star draw to sell tickets.

There is a world of difference between a low key pre-season friendly match in America compared with the preparations for a tournament when players are expected to play twice a week for a two to three week period in a fully competitive situation. Tottenham have  provided two members of the squad, Steven Caulker and Danny Rose, and with a new manager in charge would have preferred to have had them involved in their preparations for the new season. Andre Villas-Boas would have been especially interested in working with with Caulker as Spurs look to find a new central defensive partnership in the absence of the now retired Ledley King.

Tottenham would not appreciate interference for the Football Association in this matter. There is a strained relationship between Tottenham and the Football Association over the way they handled the appointment of the England manager when after months of speculation surrounding Harry Redknapp, he wasn’t even interviewed for the position. This had an adverse on Spurs’ season as they missed out on Champions League football.

There is also the issue of which Football Association would have to make the complaint – the English FA or the Football Association of Wales? The Welsh did not want their players to be selected for TeamGB and will not want to cause offence to Tottenham or Bale as they will require Bale’s total commitment for the Wales team as they enter into a World Cup qualifying campaign in September.

Gareth Bale commenting on his fitness said,

"“My rehab’s gone very well at the club. We’re well ahead of schedule and I’m glad to be back.”"

There is no question to answer and wouldn’t have become an issue if Sepp Blatter hadn’t wanted part of the Olympic spotlight. Spurs might have been better to introduce Bale into pre-season matches in a less conspicuous setting but they had responsibilities to sponsors on their American tour and with Luka Modric’s non-appearance, the high profile Bale was needed to fulfill those obligations.

Were Spurs unwise to play Bale against LA Galaxy? Should he have taken a less prominent role in the pre-season matches in America?

Tottenham Hotspur have now issued a statement to clear up any uncertainty about Gareth Bale’s injury and to clarify the issue in response to the inaccurate statements and opinions which have appeared in the media. It reads:

‘For the avoidance of any doubt and on a point of absolute clarity and transparency –  Gareth sustained an injury as he built up his fitness ahead of joining up with Stuart Pearce’s side. MRI scan reports were sent to the FA medical team on 29 June (2012).

He was subsequently not selected on the basis of this injury and the inability to predict recovery time.

This decision was not taken lightly and made only after consultation with Team GB’s medical team, who were in agreement after seeing the medical reports.

At no time was Gareth made unavailable for selection. Indeed, Gareth made clear publicly on numerous occasions his desire to compete for Team GB and was extremely disappointed on hearing the news he would not be fit to participate.

He is now focused on and determined to get fit for the season ahead and to this end we have brought out an additional member of our medical team on tour, dedicated to Gareth’s recovery.

We are dismayed that some have sought to make wrongful assumptions about Gareth’s particular situation and that such positive news surrounding his recovery is being highlighted in this manner. We trust that this statement now clarifies this matter once and for all.

We look forward to following the progress of our other players in the Games – Danny Rose and Steven Caulker along with Sandro and Giovani dos Santos.’