When WAGs become nags
Selasa, 17 Juni 2008
The former Republic of Ireland international launched a scathing attack on footballers' wives and girlfriends (WAGs) for running the lives of "soft" players.
Keane bemoaned the fact that some players were not interested in moving to clubs outside London.
"They are being dictated to by their wives and girlfriends," Keane said.
"I think it's weak. You see it with a couple of big players now. Clearly their wives and girlfriends are running their lives and that's a bad sign.
"Why is there such a big attraction with London? With an entourage of reporters assigned by UK newspapers to document their antics, the women enjoyed about as much media coverage as their other halves during the tournament.
Keane bemoaned the fact that some players were not interested in moving to clubs outside London.
"They are being dictated to by their wives and girlfriends," Keane said.
"I think it's weak. You see it with a couple of big players now. Clearly their wives and girlfriends are running their lives and that's a bad sign.
"Why is there such a big attraction with London? With an entourage of reporters assigned by UK newspapers to document their antics, the women enjoyed about as much media coverage as their other halves during the tournament.
So impressive were the WAGs' shopping sprees they inspired a reality TV show, Wags Boutique, where footballers' wives and girlfriends run rival clothing stores competing for sales.
Keane said his club, in England's northeast, had missed out on signing a player whose wife wanted to move to London.
"Shopping was mentioned," he said.
Keane said his club, in England's northeast, had missed out on signing a player whose wife wanted to move to London.
"Shopping was mentioned," he said.
Former Spice Girls singer Victoria Beckham is queen of the WAGs and half of the globally recognised "Posh and Becks" brand.
Since Beckham's recent transfer from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy, Victoria has reportedly revealed she is much happier in America than in Spain, where the couple - close friends with Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes - "didn't have much of a social life".
Since Beckham's recent transfer from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy, Victoria has reportedly revealed she is much happier in America than in Spain, where the couple - close friends with Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes - "didn't have much of a social life".
Another girl-band member to have bagged herself a soccer player is Cheryl Cole (nee Tweedy), the Girls Aloud singer married to England and Chelsea left-back Ashley, or "Cashley", Cole.
A glamour couple in the mould of the Beckhams, the Coles are the faces of the UK's National Lottery.
While Victoria and Cheryl were well known before they married soccer stars, other WAGs were not.
A glamour couple in the mould of the Beckhams, the Coles are the faces of the UK's National Lottery.
While Victoria and Cheryl were well known before they married soccer stars, other WAGs were not.
Wayne Rooney's childhood sweetheart, Coleen McLoughlin, has been transformed from girl-next-door to fashion afficionado thanks to her profile as the England striker's girlfriend.
She promotes discount clothing brand George at ASDA and sold a celebrity magazine exclusive rights to her 21st birthday party, a who's who of WAGs event earlier this year.
She also writes a diary for Closer magazine entitled Welcome to My World!
And a nice world it seems, too.
She promotes discount clothing brand George at ASDA and sold a celebrity magazine exclusive rights to her 21st birthday party, a who's who of WAGs event earlier this year.
She also writes a diary for Closer magazine entitled Welcome to My World!
And a nice world it seems, too.
Almost daily the WAGs are pictured at red carpet events, strolling down the street laden with designer shopping bags or frolicking at some holiday resort.
The message? The life of a soccer player - and his missus - is a ticket to fame and fortune.
Is it any wonder that a survey last year revealed women in their 20s are buying into the free-spending lifestyle of a footballer's wife, even if they can't afford it and their heroine is likely to be a WAG?
The message? The life of a soccer player - and his missus - is a ticket to fame and fortune.
Is it any wonder that a survey last year revealed women in their 20s are buying into the free-spending lifestyle of a footballer's wife, even if they can't afford it and their heroine is likely to be a WAG?
Keane also claimed there was further evidence of players being dominated by their spouses, who pushed them into doing photo shoots.
"They're not comfortable doing it - well don't," he said.
But while the players might feel a little silly posing for the camera at first, isn't it possible that they too are seduced by the ego boost that comes from seeing themselves looking glamorous on the cover of a magazine?
"They're not comfortable doing it - well don't," he said.
But while the players might feel a little silly posing for the camera at first, isn't it possible that they too are seduced by the ego boost that comes from seeing themselves looking glamorous on the cover of a magazine?
AAP
