Three Lions Not Digesting Fabio's New Diet

Fabio Capello is bringing a new mentality to the Three Lions of England. One area of change concerns nutrition. In this case, Mr. Capello has placed severe restrictions on what his players can eat during England training.

According to a source (the Italians referred to him as a spy) from inside of the team, as quoted by The Sun, several English players are having problems digesting Mr. Capello’s dietary restrictions. Pun intended. ;-)

“Dopo l’allenamento – ha raccontato lo spione – molti giocatori lamentavano giramenti di testa e nausea e malgrado siano stati insieme quattro giorni, è davvero incredibile quanto poco abbiano mangiato. Molti di loro erano abituati a fare scorta di carboidrati per stare su, mentre adesso tutto quello che viene permesso loro di mangiare sono un po’ di cereali e dei toast. Ecco perché qualcuno ha cominciato a contrabbandare cioccolato e patatine in camera, alle spalle di Capello”. Non solo. Stando al racconto del testimone, nell’intervallo della sfida contro i cechi, uno dei “senatori” della squadra (a detta del tabloid, Rio Ferdinand) avrebbe accusato dei violenti crampi allo stomaco, vomitando poi negli spogliatoi, proprio a causa del regime alimentare voluto dal tecnico italiano.

“I giocatori non sono ingordi – ha concluso l’anonimo - ma non riescono a sopportare di rimanere lunghi periodi senza mangiare nulla. C’è stata qualche lamentela, ma mai diretta perchè nessuno ha avuto il coraggio di affrontare apertamente Capello per parlargli di questa situazione, visto che l’allenatore è famoso per la sua intransigenza.”

Source: La Gazzetta Dello Sport, 30 August 2008.

“After training, the spy recounted, many players complained of dizziness and nausea since they had been together for four days, it is truly incredible how little they have eaten. Many of them are used to loading up on carbohydrates to stay on top of things, while now all they are allowed to eat is a little cereal and toast. For this reason is why someone started to spread contraband chocolates and sweets in their rooms, behind Capello’s back. Not the only one. According to the testimony during the halftime interval between England and the Czech Republic (a friendly on 20 August), one of the ‘Senators’ of the team (the tabloid said it was Rio Ferdinand), had severe stomach cramps and vomited in the dressing room, due to the dietary regimen required by the Italian coach.”

“The players have not gotten fatter, concluded the source, but can’t support staying for long periods of time without eating anything. There has been some complaint, but never direct because nobody has the courage to openly confront Capello to speak with him of this situation, seeing that the coach is famous for his intransigence.”

Italian translation by Steve Amoia.