The sensational row between Almaty Athletic's gaffer Ant Spratt and troubled midfielder Alex O'Donovan intensified this afternoon, with O'Donovan sensationally accusing Spratt of embezzling funds from Corinthians and Almaty.
O'Donovan displayed evidence of this financial irregularity, claiming that Spratt had channeled the funds into a licensed premised in north Cork. Experts are analysing the picture to evaluate if it is an elaborate forgery.
The row has already thrown Almaty's season into disarry, overshadowing the superb start when Almaty trounced Fuzzball FC 6-1 last Tuesday. This latest development is a another body-blow to the legions of fans are already reeling from the loss of Lamps, who will miss the next two weeks while away on international duty in Greece.
Almaty Athletic’s manager is likely to impose the maximum fine of two week’s wages on Alex “True Blue” O’Donovan as it emerged late last night that the Gaffer had spotted O’Donovan on Sky News running riot in the streets of Manchester after the Gers UEFA cup defeat.
O’Donovan had cried off for Almaty’s season opener with a “knee injury” minutes before kick-off. An insider for Ryanair has revealed that O’Donovan was in fact just boarding the 8.55 flight to Manchester.
Almaty Athletic Squad v Fuzzball FC, sporting our rarely-seen Third Kit... (minus Gaffer who took the pic)
After last year’s disastrous start to the season, Almaty were desperate to hit the ground running in their opening game of the new season against Fuzzball FC. However, the nerves got the better of the players in the first 10 mins as they failed to find their rhythm. Fuzzball created a few half-chances but were unable to find the back of the net. James “Seth” G, who had started on the bench, was brought on and provided the spark to ignite the team. Gav bagged a quick-fire brace, and this was followed up with a rare right-footed goal by “Seth”.
The only other notably incident of the first half was bizarre encounter between a Fuzzball player and the ref in which the ref squared up to the player and invited him “to have a go”!
Half Time: 3-0
With a three goal cushion it was decided to give “Safehands” a chance to prove his worth outfield. He silenced his critics on the 45th min when he slotted home to make it 4-0 after a great reverse pass, again with the right foot, from “Seth”.
Not to be outdone by his great rival, Jim “Lamps” Butler made it five when he buried a shot from a tight angle, after great work by Gav to draw the defence away and then find the pass.
Fuzzball’s pacy striker troubled the Almaty defence and was unlucky not to open their scoring when his shot rebounded back off the stanchion. However, Almaty striker “Crouchy” laid down his marker for the Top Scorer award by wrapping up his hat-trick with a determined finish, despite claims of handball from the opposition. They were clearly still afraid of the ref so their protests were a bit more muted this time!
Fuzzball got a late consolation goal when their pacy striker skipped by a few players and rifled it home past “Safehands” (who had resumed his normal station).
Almaty could have had more with both “Crouchy” and “Lamps” hitting the post in the second half, as did Philly Smith in the first.
The gloss was taken off the victory as it emerged late last night that Alex "True Blue" O'Donovan had suffered a knee injury. It is uncertain how long the injury will keep him sidelined for.
Oh yeah, and Citco lost. Heh heh heh...
Man of the match: Phil Smith (notable mention to Gav for the hat-trick and JamesG for assists and a goal) Goal of the game: They were all good, except Gav's 3rd!
Almaty Athletic face a difficult start to the season against Fuzzball FC on Tuesday after it was revealed that 3 star players will be missing for the season curtain-raiser. Ant "Gaffer" Spratt, Tadhg "Big Man" O'Connell and "Reverend" Alex are all unavailable.
Apparently they have prior commitments, playing in an obscure 11-a-side form of the game. This little-known variant is allegedly played on grass, and is popular in the Northside of the city.
The squad's strength in depth will be tested, but Almaty were boosted by the news that Phil Smith is available for selection.
Squad in full: 1. Jer "Safehands" Sweetnam 2. Jim "Lamps" Butler 3. Keith "SP" Espey 4. James "Tricks" Galvin 5. Billy "Nickname pending" Murphy 6. Gavin "Crouchy" Jeffery 7. Phil "Part-time" Smith
The three lads promise to arrive later on too, which is very kind of them!
There were joyous scenes on the Shankill Road when a spokesman for Almaty Athletic midfield enforcer Alex O'Donovan announced that he had renounced his Catholic faith and converted to Protestantism. The spokesman vigorously denied that peer pressure was a factor in this stunning u-turn.
"I can assure you that Alex is very much his own man, and takes his spiritual well-being very seriously. This decision has come after careful consideration and stark reflection. Any suggestion that this has come about because Dawson and Nige wouldn't go boozing with him are utterly baseless and unfounded," the spokesprod continued.
Sources indicate that O'Donovan has long been dissatisfied with the direction of the Catholic Church. An insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity, denied that the Church's controversial position on pre-marital sex was a factor, indicating that since Ant's stag, this has not been an issue. The pal continued to say that the main reason was likely to be the more relaxed Protestant Sunday service which does not require participants to kneel. O'Donovan is said to believe that the switch can prolong his career by at least 2 years thanks to the reduced load on his knees...
Almaty Athletic face a difficult start to the season against Fuzzball FC on Tuesday after it was revealed that 3 star players will be missing for the season curtain-raiser. Ant "Gaffer" Spratt, Tadhg "Big Man" O'Connell and "Reverend" Alex are all unavailable. 
