Reysol suffer again, this time off the pitch
TOKYO (May 14): Things just go from bad to worse for Kashiwa Reysol.
What's wrong with this club?
They have lots of money, lots of good players and some of the most passionate fans in the country.
Against Nagoya Grampus Eight recently, though, a few of them were too passionate, and attacked the visiting fans after the game, which Reysol had lost 2-0.
A line was drawn under this sad episode by the J.League on Friday, when Reysol received a record fine of 10 million yen.
Reysol had feared that the J.League might deduct some points, but the league decided against this for a good reason: they haven't got any.
Okay, so that's not strictly true, and I apologise if my joke upsets the Yellow Monkeys. After all, you are suffering enough as it is.
Actually, 10 million yen is not a lot for a club with so much wealth.
It's about the same as Ricardinho's medical bill every season, and easily affordable, but there is no doubt the incident has brought shame to the club as a whole.
Reysol officials probably prevented a heavier punishment from the J.League by suspending indefinitely 11 fans, reducing the salaries of the club president and security chief for three months, and deciding to send security guards with Reysol fans to away games to keep order.
Oh, and they also put up a bigger gate at Hitachi Stadium, so big that even a monkey can't climb over it.
As for Grampus, they escaped punishment, but were warned severely.
A warning for what?
For defending themselves after being attacked by Reysol fans?
Even though some Grampus fans had been taunting and provoking the home supporters, this is hardly a crime, but clearly the J.League wants to clamp down on this kind of behaviour before it spreads.
On the pitch, Reysol have 10 points from 11 games and are 17th, ahead of only the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Sorry, I mean Vissel Kobe.
Reysol just can't score any goals. Only nine, and none as yet from Keiji Tamada.
What's Ueslei doing at the moment?
He has a reputation for being selfish, not playing for the team, lazy on the pitch...but he scores goals. Lots of them.
Ueslei for Reysol. That makes sense, as he would score the goals to turn a 0-0 draw into a 1-0 victory.
Keep your heads up Reysol fans!
Things can only get better.
Can't they?
ends
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