Andy Powell’s recent post match antics put the relationship between sport and alcohol back in the spotlight
As most people who have been in the AU, seen the AU or even heard of the AU can tell you, there is a clear relationship between sport and alcohol. From the days of sneaking underage into clubs after sixth form matches to Premiership footballers blowing tens of thousands of pounds on Cristal champagne, drinking is an inherent part of playing sport. Many people at LSE only join the AU for the social side (think back to the ‘Social Eighths’ last year in netball, who had no scheduled fixtures), and often the night-out after the afternoon’s on-field frivolities is by far the highlight of the day, and for many people, you can’t have one without the other.
Of course, with drinking often comes amusing, embarrassing and illegal behaviour. From our own ranks, think of Fenton’s recent time spent at Her Majesty’s pleasure, Reesy ‘getting acquainted’ with the Zoo Bar bouncers and Ben Leith climbing various lampposts around central London. The wider sporting world is no different, so we thought we would share our favourite incidents with you.
So next time you wake up and shamefully try and recount your last night’s movements, remember some of these and realize that whatever you did, it probably wasn’t as bad as it could be:
1. Andy Powell – Following Wales’ last minute victory over Scotland in the 6 Nations last month, Wales’ number 6 Andy Powell went out for ‘more than a few beers’ to celebrate. Upon returning to the team hotel, he decided to go for a ride in one of the hotel’s golf buggies as a prank. However, he then got the munchies, and headed for the motorway services to pick up some food. He was stopped and arrested at 5.30am at Junction 33 on the M4, and was (obviously) found to be well over the drink-drive limit. He was subsequently dropped from the Wales squad, find £1,000 and banned from driving for 15 months. Oooops!
2. Andrew Flintoff – The infamous ‘Fredalo’ incident came during the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. A late night drinking session, just 2 days before a vital game, resulted in Flintoff having to be rescued after falling off a pedalo and getting into difficulties in the water. He was stripped of the England vice-captaincy as a result.
3. Mathieu Bastareaud – After a 14-10 loss in Wellington, he suffered facial cuts and bruising at some point during the night out afterwards. He claimed that he had been attacked on his way home by 4 or 5 people, however he withdrew this claim after CCTV footage released by the hotel showed him coming home unharmed. It turns out that what actually happened was that he went home pissed, tripped over in his room and hit his face on a table, and was too embarrassed to tell the truth!
4. Doug Howlett – arrested in the early hours at Heathrow Hilton for causing criminal damage to two cars after New Zealand’s Quarter Final defeat to France in the World Cup. In his video apology, he admitted that “There was drink involved…”
5. Gavin Henson – with repeated bursts of drunken behaviour that would make even Reesy proud, Welsh rugby star found himself banned from most clubs and pubs in Cardiff, with door staff describing him as “an absolute nightmare” and behaving like a “spoilt child who wants to shout and be the centre of attention”.
Still, with all this in mind, the one event in the AU social calendar when the most outrageous, banterous and debauched antics take place is still to come. Yes, that’s right, the AU ball is this Wednesday at Radisson Blu, Marble Arch, so anyone who hasn’t got a ticket (what’s wrong with you?!) can still come over for the after-party for just a tenner and see the AU’s finest at their absolute worst. And if you can’t make it, or don’t remember anything from it, don’t worry! You’ll be able to catch up on all the highlights in Sport next week where we name, shame, and spread rumours – staaaaaaaaaandard!
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