Double Standards

Were we really surprised that Mallorca and the rest of the Balearic Islands went from the Green watchlist to Amber? There’s definitely a case of double standards right now. After 18 months of no business for the majority of the hospitality industry and lockdowns and curfews for the last year for all of us. Why is nobody taking the can for the Spanish student debacle? Around 5,000 Spanish students allowed to party for a week with no social distancing and now we’re in a mess. I’m not saying they are totally to blame but if the laws were put in for the English and Germans, why not the Spanish? In February 2020 there were new laws for the so called “excessive zones” of Magaluf, Playa de Palma and San Antonio. Now I don’t know many people who were against the rules that were put in. But how can it be that in Magaluf for instance, there are some hotels in the same area as all the bars still offering all inclusive but the bars themselves can’t? Anybody of any age can still book these hotels and get totally plastered on drink included in what they’ve booked. 

Even if they haven’t booked it the hotels will allow them to buy it on arrival. People who are not on an all inclusive package in their hotel can walk into the next resort of Palma Nova and be offered an all inclusive package by any bar as they too aren’t in the Red Zone. So on the one hand you’re trying to curb the Tourism of excess which is very commendable and should be encouraged but you’re then allowing hotels in the same area and surrounding zones to carry on regardless? Am I missing something here? We’re either all in this or not, you can’t get half pregnant! 

I have to say I loved every part of the Euros. The England team put pride and joy back into our country not only there but around the World for all expats like me and the boys. Unfortunately it was ruined by a minority of the “fans” which I’ll come to in a minute.

It’s easy for us on the outside to put blame where it’s not justified particularly at Gareth Southgate. 

But ask yourself a few questions. 

Did we think we’d make to the final? No

Did we score too early in the final? Probably 

Were Italy the best team? Yes

Did we pick the right penalty takers? For me, no doubt they were the ones who stood up. Not only that, something else which actually never really got reported as Southgate took all the blame. Was the fact that he did also mention that they had of course been practicing and that was the order they had come up with. 

Look at the players that missed, some say they were too young to be burdened with such responsibility. Hang on they’re players at the top level, in the team and therefore playing in the final. Remember the old adage, “if you’re old enough, you’re good enough”.

Jadon Sancho, probably one of the most exciting talents for the future and Manchester United have just paid £73 million for him.

Bukayo Saka, as an Arsenal fan I can tell you huge things are expected of him in the future and he was Arsenals player of the season.

Marcus Rashford: A star at Manchester United and I had to listen to some clown in the bar I was saying how rubbish he was. Really? After all he’s done outside of football in the past year? He forced the Prime Minister to commit £120 million for free school meals and he happened to have missed a penalty. His work over the past year has proved there is more to life than football. 

Let’s face it penalties are a lottery, ask France & Spain. Me and my boys were trying to pick the 5 penalty takers and the only one we agreed on was Kane. 

I’m also glad to hear that Facebook and Twitter are finally handing over details of racist trolls who abused the players. I would ban them from attending any football match for life and if need be lock them up. This needs to be stopped and the most severest of punishments handed out. 

After so much flack Southgate got for picking an injured Harry Maguire, I thought he was immense. And who else thought he’d be taking a penalty? Two goalkeepers wouldn’t have got to that one. 

Talking of keepers, one person who didn’t get the credit he deserved was Jordan Pickford, he saved two of the five penalties and the save from the normally reliable Jorginho was world class. He’s come a long way in the last couple of years and I’m surprised none of the so called big six is looking at him as their goalkeeper. 

I also think Southgate has picked a great back room team including his assistants Steve Holland, Graeme Jones and Chris Powell who all undoubtedly have added great knowledge and advice. 

It was a great roller coaster ride and it ended not how we wanted it to.

I’m gutted of course but life goes on and I think we’ll be all the more prepared for Qatar 2022. 

Take care everyone and enjoy your Weekend! 

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone & Android, The Tunein Radio App, iTunes, the Spanish TDT TV service and all smart speakers. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance! 

Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com