World Cup: Croatian newspaper mocks up NAKED image of Canada bossafter Croatia comments

Publish date: 2024-06-22

A Croatian newspaper has hit back at Canada manager John Herdman by putting a photoshopped image of him naked on their front cover – days after he boldly claimed his side will 'F' Croatia up when they next meet.

In retaliation to his remarks, Croatia daily tabloid newspaper 24 Sata (24 Hours) ran the fullpage photo of a naked Herdman with Maple Leaf-shaped Canadian flags over his mouth and manhood, along with the headline that translated to: 'You have the mouth, but do you have the balls as well?'

The war of words started in the moments after Canada lost their first World Cup match in 36 years, outplaying Belgium for much of a 1-0 defeat, which saw an emotional Herdman revealed in a on-field interview what he had just told his players during a post-match huddle.


'I told them they belong here. And we're going to go and eff Croatia,' the coach said with a smile, using a single letter to avoid a televised profanity. 'That's as simple as it gets.'

His words reverberated all the way to Zagreb with Sunday's game now got that extra spice to it.

'You say those things in an impassioned moment trying to inspire your team in a huddle, and when you're asked the question what you said in that huddle, yeah, it was what I said,' Herdman explained the following day.

Croatia daily tabloid newspaper 24 Sata (24 Hours) ran the fullpage photo of a naked Herdman with Maple Leaf-shaped Canadian flags over his mouth and manhood , along with the headline that translated to: 'You have the mouth, but do you have the balls as well?'

Croatia daily tabloid newspaper 24 Sata (24 Hours) ran the fullpage photo of a naked Herdman with Maple Leaf-shaped Canadian flags over his mouth and manhood , along with the headline that translated to: 'You have the mouth, but do you have the balls as well?'

It comes after Herdman told his players to 'F' Croatia in their next World Cup group game

It comes after Herdman told his players to 'F' Croatia in their next World Cup group game

'It's not massively respectful to Croatian people and the Croatian national team. I understand very well where they're at on the world stage. But in that moment, you've taken your men to that next place,' he added.

Canada could be eliminated if they are beaten again.

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share 111 shares

Croatia, which lost the 2018 final to France, is the world's 12th-ranked team and opened with a 0-0 draw against Morocco. 

Luka Modric, playing what is likely his last World Cup at the age 37, put a first-half shot over the crossbar.

Canada has played just four World Cup games in its history and still is searching for its first goal. The Canadians had 11 more shots than the Belgians (21-9) but gave up a 44th-minute goal to Michy Batshuayi from a long pass on a counter. 

Alphonso Davies had a chance to put Canada ahead in the 11th minute but his penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The war of words adds some spice to the game when Canada take on Luka Modric and Co

The war of words adds some spice to the game when Canada take on Luka Modric and Co

'We know exactly what our slingshot is and we´ve got to be ready to attack that across different games now because, as I say, the cover's off from Canada,' Herdman said. 'I think people come into this game, the next games respecting us a little bit more.'

Captain Atiba Hutchinson, at 39 the only member of the current roster alive when Canada went 0-3 at the 1986 World Cup, can make his 100th international appearance Sunday - Julian de Guzman is second with 89.

Midfielder Jonathan Osorio is looking forward to facing the last World Cup's runner-up.

'We like to play the best,' he said after the Belgium match. 'We're excited for the challenge.'

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share 111 shares

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKugpL%2B1e9Kppquso6OyuL%2BOmqmtoZOhsm59kG1uanBnaHyYu9Glm2Z7paV6hL7OmquimZ5iu6bD0qmYqZ2iYrqwr8qsZId5e3qRbrXMmp6eZXOWu6KwwGaZqKujYpCzu8CtoJplk6S6rrHNrapnoKSiuQ%3D%3D