Un grazie a Gigantebuono, da cui ho tratto la notizia
Rugby losers try to deprive Jonny of BBC title
By David Lister and Sam Lister
HE IS the cool-headed genius in the running to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year: a man whose kicking and handling skills are second to none and who has led his team to unprecedented glory.
But this is not Jonny Wilkinson, the fresh-faced golden boy of British sport. It is a bald 32-year-old Gaelic footballer called Peter Canavan, who has suddenly shot into contention for the BBC's coveted prize.
According to a chain e-mail titled "Peter Canavan, not Wilko", which has spread across Ireland to Britain, the entire Irish diaspora is backing Canavan to stop the old enemy from scooping another sporting crown.
The campaign comes in the wake of a surge in anti-English sentiment after the rugby World Cup triumph, success that has seen the other home nations concentrate on bursting the "smug bubble".
In Wales, the attempt to keep Wilkinson from his expected pedestal has also started in earnest, with votes encouraged for the snooker player Mark Williams. In Scotland another sporting agenda has seen the Celtic footballer Chris Sutton gather support. Farther afield, Australian websites are encouraging votes for Tim Henman in an attempt to prevent a Wilkinson win.
It is not the first time that the BBC award, which is decided by the British public, has been at the mercy of Machiavellian voting. But none has been as blatant as the latest attempt to swing the vote. "Well it's that time ofyear again," begins the Canavan e-mail, whose authors are not identified. "A time for festivities, a time for family and friends and a time to destroy
another British award ceremony."
While the Irish media have been vociferous in their anti-English rugby angle - carrying articles on England's win, including "25 ways to get through this nightmare" - the Welsh press has been no less antagonistic. Wales on Sunday offered a paper "free from smug English backslapping - guaranteed". Nick Rippington, the paper's sports editor, said: "Mark Williams has performed
brilliantly all year and the England rugby team only got serious in the last couple of games. There are going to be a lot of people rooting for Mark in Wales."
Pundits voting for their favourite sports personality of 2003 can phone,text or e-mail their choice to the BBC. It will announce a shortlist of five
on Sunday, December 14.