By European Football
March 30 2005

Not my words, but the words of Azerbaijan boss Carlos Alberto, who launched an attack on the England striker after tonight’s match with Azerbaijan, dismissing Owen by stating: "Who is he anyway, what has he ever won? He should wash his tongue and clean David Beckham's boots." He was reacting to reports that said Owen was out to break Malcolm Macdonald's record of five goals in an England game; the only problem is Owen never seems to have said anything on the subject.

But the Azerbaijan boss continued:

"I have been in this life for 45 years."

"This man - what's his name, the number 10, the small one who doesn't play in the Real Madrid first team - said that if Poland beat Azerbaijan 8-0, England should score at least eight goals and he'd score five of them.”

"But he must respect everyone. Who is Michael Owen anyway? What has he ever won in football? He plays for Real Madrid but is always on the bench.”

"It is not right for him to say that he can score five goals against Azerbaijan. Where are those five goals tonight?”

"He didn't score one. Sven-Goran Eriksson is a good man, he should teach him to respect everyone. Who is he anyway? Who is he?"

"I have a history in football but what is the history of this guy? He ought to clean his tongue," added Carlos Alberto, showing no signs of slowing down.

"I don't accept this, he is not a man. I would say this to his face if he was here. I hope he is back on the bench when Real Madrid play this weekend.”

"This man, this midget, I refuse to talk about him any more. I will talk about Beckham, Rooney, Ferdinand or Lampard, but not this midget. This midget ought to clean the boots of Beckham as they are so wet tonight."

Sven-Goran Eriksson quickly came to Owen’s defence stating:

"From what I know about Michael Owen, he would never say things like that. That's not his style," responded Eriksson.”

"He never said he would score five goals against any team. That's not Michael Owen. I'm sorry if there was any misunderstanding."

And for Owens part he seems to have said nothing wrong, when asked about the record he responded:

"I wasn't aware that five was the record and that's a fantastic feat. I've scored four goals a couple of times before, but I don't remember ever scoring five in a game.”

"But 8-0 against Poland has certainly got everyone thinking there could be a few goals about."

"Many years ago, there were plenty of cricket scores in international football and these chances are few and far between, but winning the game is the most important thing."