Lampard is being constantly asked about his insulting comments towards Americans following 9/11 attacks
Chelsea’s all time highest goalscorer Frank Lampard’s move to Major League Soccer side New York City hasn’t seen all that of a sweet welcome, as he is being seen to be constantly pestered by local media and fans who force him to explain the allegations against him and three of his other former Chelsea team-mates Frank Lampard, Jody Morris, John Terry and Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Lampard, and his team-mates were fined by the club for two weeks following their bad conduct off the pitch on 23 September 2001, with newspapers then reporting stories of him abusing American tourists at a Heathrow hotel, just a day after the 11 September terrorist attacks.in New York.
According to sight-seers, the four footballers were stripping naked, and vomiting in public, intoxicated with alcohol after having visited the third pub they had visited that evening.
One of the hotel managers had said, "They were utterly disgusting. They just didn't seem to care about what had happened"
“We had a lot of Americans here and were simply trying to comfort them in their hour of need,” he added. “Meanwhile, these men were laughing and joking, taking off their clothes and abusing our guests.”
The fine, which is suggested to be £130,000 was eventually donated to the families who were victimized by the attacks.
Now in New York, the former England International has been continuously asked to explain the truth behind this story, and he surely has. Not just once.
“I categorically did not set out to insult anyone or behave badly in front of the Americans and this is an excellent chance to say that,” he was quoted by Mirror. “I’m very sensitive to the issue and the tragedy. I have some regrets. I was naive and a young boy at the time. I was out on a day I shouldn’t have been.”
“I’ve tried in the last 13 years at Chelsea to be a good man, not just a good footballer but a good man off the pitch,” he added.
When asked if he would like to pay a visit to the 9/11 memorial himself, he said he definitely would. “It is very important to pay respect.”
He was also recently asked about the same when he visited YES Network hosts and broadcasters Michael Kay and Paul O'Neill during the top of the 3rd inning of Sunday's game to talk about his career and his excitement in coming to NYC FC.