UK, October 11, 2007 - If you've been wondering why so many English football teams resort to drafting in foreign players, then Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has got the answer - it's all down to the Xbox.
Speaking in his newspaper column, the former footballer said that the working classes are turning their back on the beautiful game because "football cannot compete with an Xbox". He added: "Now I rarely see a kickabout in the park. All I see are the dazzling lights of bedroom windows from the glare of TVs and computers." Very poetic.
Redknapp went on to note that poorer countries still have the passion for football because they can't afford consoles, "Maybe they have the hunger and drive that working class boys of England had 30 years ago but now is replaced by videogame passion."
On a related note, Football Manager 2008 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 are out later this month, which will both no doubt add to the problem. Oh dear