Pandiani: Birmingham? Birmingham? Who the %&$£ are

By European Football
February 2 2005

Well an on going argument between new signing Walter Pandiani and Birmingham are being attributed tonight to an old interview given by the player and then taken out of context at the moment. Still however it can’t make for pleasant reading for Birmingham fans.

The truth of the matter is the player wanted to be elsewhere, no matter how it dressed up, that remains the case. It can be only hoped from a Birmingham point of view that he changes his mind quickly as he is a player of undoubted talent.

The statement off Birmingham reads like this:

"Comments have been attributed to Walter Pandiani suggesting that he was unhappy with his move to Birmingham City.”

"But according to both the player and the manager Steve Bruce, nothing could be further from the truth. “

"Walter's alleged comments were taken from an interview he did with a Spanish radio station prior to arriving at St. Andrew's."

"The player and the club believe that the quotes that have been attributed to him have either been lost in translation or are indeed misquotes.”

"It is no secret that he was looking forward to a move to leading Italian club Fiorentina which fell through at the last minute leaving the door open for a move to Birmingham.”

"However, at that point he did not want to be in the situation where he felt his career was over at Deportivo and that he was being forced to make a decision regarding a move to another club at the last minute. “

"Now that Walter has arrived in Birmingham he is determined to make a success of his time here, and both the club and player look forward to exciting times.”