(no subject)

Wayne Rooney, a young football star in England, is a nasty piece of work, with a reputation for violence on and off the field and for swearing a blue streak. The latter habit, at least, makes some community leaders think he is a poor role model for young people. As ESPN's soccernet.com put it:

Teachers' unions and politicians have also expressed worries about Rooney's repeated swearing on the pitch, having been fortunate not to be sent off against Arsenal at Highbury by Graham Poll.

Ah, folks, I don't think there were any politicians or teachers' unions playing against Arsenal. And while dyed in the wool readers may understand your shorthand, it really wouldn't take up that much more space in a Web article to say "...not to be sent off by referee Graham Poll during Manchester United's match againt Arsenal at Highbury."

I think the teachers' unions should be more concerned about the inability of sports writers to produce clear, accurate prose than about Wayne Rooney's propensity for foul language. After all, they might still be able to effect some change in the sports writers...