Fred Offers a Half-Assed Explanation

By: Inara | September 24th, 2007

For a guy that hasn’t played for Lyon in five months, Fred is in the news quite often. I’ve tried to keep all of you up-to-date on his latest shenanigans, from getting himself injured every ten minutes, to leaving for Brazil without permission every fifteen minutes, and for asking for a transfer every half an hour.

Excuses, excuses.

But today, “Fredji” offers us an explanation about his weird behavior of the last six months. In a lengthy interview in the Journal, he sheds light on several subjects. According to him, his argument with the club involved a misunderstanding about French taxes. He thought he was supposed to receive a certain amount and was convinced the club was lying to him when he realized that he was missing a couple million euros.

I personally don’t understand why he didn’t just call the club’s administrator, but according to Fred, he and Aulas will be meeting to work out the tax confusion. He admits that he was in error - though so was Lyon, apparently. Maybe Fred should get TurboTax instead of trying to do it by himself.

Fred also talked about the Chivu incident and his suspension from UEFA (you’re gonna love this, Chris).

[The suspension] was deserved because I was in error. I was very unhappy to have done that, and I felt really bad about it. I had put myself under a lot of pressure for that match. I didn’t want to lose it, I wanted to score. I lost my head. I called Mancini to get Chivu’s number. The language barrier was complicated, but I transmitted the message to him: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I have to learn that in football, I can’t always win.

His reasons for leaving Lyon last May? He wanted to celebrate the title with everyone else, but it was more important to him to be treated by the Seleçao medical staff to be ready for Copa America.

He also contradicted the gossip about his fractured relationship with Sylvain Wiltord. According to Fred, he laughs at the Nino rumors because they are untrue. He and Wiltord had a good relationship on and off the pitch. In fact, Fred adores Wiltord, who is a humble man and a professional athlete, an important part of Lyon.

I don’t quite believe Fred, but who really knows anyway?

He returned to Lyon - just in time for the team picture.

About the team, he thinks Lyon’s current form is normal, given that it’s early in the season. But if the players can establish team interplay, the team will get stronger in time.

Fred hopes to play a little against Bordeaux on October 7th and then to “explode” after the international week that follows.

He ended the interview by assessing his first two years at Lyon (don’t forget that he participated in the World Cup in between).

I didn’t give my best. I had a good first year, but the second year started badly. I was injured and was very distracted. You don’t know the real Fred but you will be able to see him soon. I like the football, the Gerland, and the supporters. My future is in Lyon.

My thoughts on this: he’s getting nervous seeing Karim Benzema’s recent form. He’s probably also concerned by the slow start Lyon have made this season and wants to help (deep down inside, he’s a good kid…good but a kid). I’m sure the recent Mancini-Fred exchange rumors aren’t helping either. I think his wish to play against Bordeaux may be a bit premature, as he shouldn’t push his body unless it’s fully healed.

Still, I would welcome Fred back onto the squad. At this point, I don’t really care why he acted so immaturely as long as he stops and starts playing like the 15 million euro striker he’s supposed to be. Lyon have only two healthy strikers right now (Benzema and Milan Baros), and with our inability to lure in a big striker, Fred will have to do.