Andy Carroll: “I went for a beer in Amiens, or Bordeaux, no one ever took a photo of me”

In So Foot,
the Girondins de Bordeaux striker, Andy
Carrollanswered the question of why we often see fights or altercations between fans and players in England.

“Everyone reacts differently when they have a drink. But if we upset you or insult you… Some English football fans really have the habit of annoying the players. I don't know why. They provoke you, and film you at the same time to see your reaction. The only altercations that are filmed in bars or clubs are those with famous people. I've been in France for over a year and here, no one has spoken badly to me. In England, it's all the time. I went for a beer in Amiens, or Bordeaux, no one ever took a photo of me. Two weeks ago I was in London for the weekend. I had a beer. And there was a picture of you the next day in the paper. I'm 35, and I still interest the tabloids. 'Andy Carroll has a beer!'. I could be drinking a whole bottle of red here, there would be no problem.”

Then he told an anecdote on this subject, when he was in Amiens.

“One day I'm walking around with my headphones on and I hear someone shouting my name. I turn around and see a guy taking out the trash. 'I run this pub. Do you want a pint? Come on, ok. I stayed talking with him for three hours. We kept in touch, I saw him often. Before coming here to Bordeaux I hesitated. 'Do I really want to leave these incredible people I've met here?' But I need to set myself challenges and discover the world, so I left.”