Sven-Goran Eriksson has called Stephen Ireland "stupid" after the Manchester City midfielder pretended his grandmother had died in order to get out of a crucial international match. Ireland then became entangled in a web of deceit so extraordinary that his professional reputation may have been irretrievably damaged.
Ireland issued an apology last night after admitting he had made up a reason to be excused from the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 defeat in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, in order to visit his "lonely" girlfriend in Cork. He also asked Eriksson, his club manager, for his compassionate leave to be extended to this weekend, indicating he would not be able to play against Aston Villa tomorrow because he was still grieving and had to help with funeral arrangements.
When journalists discovered earlier this week that Ireland's maternal grandmother, Patricia Tallon, was alive and well - and shocked to read about her death in the newspapers - Ireland changed his story to say his paternal grandmother, Brenda Kitchener, had died. She, in turn, read about her own death and at least one newspaper was reportedly threatened with legal action by relatives on Thursday. Ireland is then understood to have changed his story again, this time claiming that one of his grandfathers was divorced and that it was his elderly partner who had died. That was also exposed as a lie.
"I decided at that stage that I must tell the truth and admit I had told lies," Ireland said. "I realise now that it was a massive mistake to say my grandmothers had died and I deeply regret it. It was wrong and I sincerely apologise as I have caused a lot of problems for many people. I would like to apologise to my grandmothers and all my family. I have learnt a valuable lesson from this mess and hope those I have hurt will forgive me."
Ireland was described by one associate last night as "living in a world of lies". His actions could prompt costly repercussions, with Eriksson considering dropping him and the Republic's manager, Steve Staunton, livid as he reflects on a defeat that has all but ended his side's hopes of qualification for the 2008 European Championship.
The player said his girlfriend had miscarried and that "caused us to panic" - but the Football Association of Ireland is bewildered why he did not explain this at the time, when that alone would have merited compassionate leave.
Ireland released a two-page statement through Manchester City. "When Saturday's game ended [Staunton] took me outside the dressing room and told me they had taken a call from my girlfriend, Jessica, and my grandmother had died," he said. "I was deeply shocked because I believed it was my maternal grandmother who had brought me up from when I was five. I immediately rang my girlfriend and she was distraught and explained that she had suffered a miscarriage.
"Jessica said she was very lonely and wanted me to come home. She thought they might let me home quicker if they thought my grandmother had died. When I finished the call I told the manager that my grandmother had died and that because we were very close I wanted to go home immediately. The manager said that was no problem and the FAI hired a private jet."
Ireland went on to admit that he had released the names of both grandmothers via the FAI's media officer and that Staunton had made his displeasure known yesterday in a heated dressing-down.
Eriksson, who is usually reluctant to say anything critical of his players, was also angry. "I hope he has learned a valuable lesson," he said. "Whatever your problem, keep to the truth. Don't tell lies because that is stupid. It was a stupid thing to do."
Ireland flew back to Manchester last night, having been scheduled to return on Thursday morning, and is unlikely to be in City's starting XI against Villa at Eastlands. "I don't know if he is the right mind to play, and I don't know if I am in the right mind," said Eriksson. "If he is OK, he will probably play some part, but I don't know whether he will start."
Lies, damned lies and dead relatives
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