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When the Beautiful Game Turns Sour. (Footballers And Divorce: Trophy Wives Take More Than Half The Pitch?)
24 June 2010 :: Reading Chronicle, Bracknell News and Slough Observer.

Google the words “divorce” and “football” and you get a lot of results. Just what is it about the combination that has more coverage in the morning tabloids than a runny soft boiled egg in the hands of a toddler?

A few years ago, Ray Parlour found himself in precedent setting litigation all the way up to the Court of Appeal when, no doubt, he would rather have been kicking a ball around. More to the point, he was criticised by the court for the preparation of his financial disclosure, Form E. His wife was awarded well beyond her assessed income needs as well as a handsome capital settlement.

Subsequently, an unnamed professional footballer found himself arguing over the level of spousal maintenance in the High Court. The court gave his wife 40% of his net income for an extendable term of four years and assets of over £2.5m.

Just in time for the World Cup, we see the media reporting that, allegedly, singer and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole, with or without hair extensions, is set to divorce her husband, Chelsea star, Ashley Cole.

Whether it’s the love match becoming a game of two halves, one spouse “playing away” or a couple of own goals, certain sections of the public find the unfortunate personal circumstances of soccer star separation highly addictive. Of course, celebrities who court the limelight must take the rough with the smooth. What often gets forgotten, however, is the fact that children can read unsavoury detail about their parents, whether now or long into the future, thanks to the shelf life afforded by the internet.

A divorce lawyer I may be but, as far as the World Cup is concerned, I am more interested in what happens on, rather than off the pitch.

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