Chopra in today's echo

There's an interview with him and he's denying going out night before the middlesbourgh game.... If you have seen it what's your opinions?

Michael Chopra exclusive: What really happened at Cardiff City
Jun 28 2011
Recommend Michael Chopra: My time at Cardiff City
MICHAEL Chopra, the pint-sized genius who lived life to the full on and off the field at Cardiff City, today bares his soul to the supporters who took him to their hearts.

A cult-figure at City after scoring 58 goals in 142 appearances for the Bluebirds, Chopra’s world seemed to crumble around him towards the end of last season.

Troubled by ankle and hamstring injuries, Chopra also had to contend with almost incessant rumours of late night parties and gambling.

But in one of the most frank and honest interviews given by the former Newcastle United striker, Chopra today set the record straight.


And in particular he refutes any wrong-doing the night before the crucial Middlesbrough game in which City crashed 3-0 at home amid allegations that Chopra and a couple of his team-mates had been out clubbing until the early hours of Monday morning.

Fans fume at late night clubbing allegations

Chopra told the WalesOnline: “It all got out of hand – it was crazy what people were saying and the record needs to be put straight.

“I was NOT out drinking on the Sunday night before the Middlesbrough game, no way, it would have been totally unprofessional.

“We were all at the presentation night (Friday) and myself and couple of other players went out after the presentations were made.

“But this was three days before the Middlesbrough game on the Monday.

“I’m not a heavy drinker and that night I was drinking Red Bull. From that the whole story was blown out of proportion – it was ridiculous.

“We had a clause written into our contracts that there was no drinking alcohol 48 hours before the game otherwise there were massive fines the club could impose on the players – and the fact remains none of the players have been fined.

“Supporters were saying that I was a disgrace and should be kicked out and that kind of stuff - I was very hurt and upset about the whole thing because the worst thing was it was not true.

“I would apologise to any Cardiff City supporter if they thought I was out getting drunk the night before a massive game like Middlesbrough, but I was not out that night.

“I was getting some massive stick before and after that game.

“I was not starting in that game and did not play the week before either, but because things did not work out for Cardiff at that time I was getting all the blame and I was sick of the abuse I had to take – the rumours and message boards were not true.

“We went out on the Friday night and should have not done that, but there was no way I was out Sunday night before the game on the Monday.

“Some of the stuff put on message boards was laughable, but it shot around the City like wildfire and everybody was talking about an incident that did not happen.

“I am a normal person and I’m like a fan really and we’ve all got our lives to live and socialising is part of football and part of team building.

“Looking back I should never have gone out after that presentation do and after two and a half years at Cardiff the only thing I regret is going out that night.“

In October 2007 Chopra announced he had become engaged to Heather Swan, and that they were expecting their first baby on 15th February 2008, but in July, it was reported that the couple had split only weeks after their £250,000 wedding.

On Thursday 28 August 2008, it was announced that Chopra had checked into rehab including some time at the Sporting Chance clinic in an attempt to overcome his personal problems.

Chopra lived very much on the edge and things were not happening for him towards the end of the season.

“I was getting called everything – even ‘chunky’. I admit that last season was not my best after having injury problems and in the last 10 years I have never had so many injuries.

“I had a problem with my ankle, then tore my hamstring and they take some time to recover properly, but people were still having a go, saying I was at parties until 4am in the morning – drunk and unable to stand up.

“It was all over the place that I was out in Hereford at a party the night before we played Barnsley (2-2), again ridiculous.

“I’m not heavy drinker, or someone that gets steaming.

“When people write about your personal life and it’s not true it’s annoying. I have a life to lead as all the boys do.

“Just because I’m a footballer and earn whatever in a week, I’m still only human. Why can’t I have a drink or a bet in the bookies? But some people can’t understand that.”

When put to him that he was alleged to have put £2,000 in £20 pound notes into a fruit machine in 20 minutes, Chopra who earns around £20,000 a week replied: “I have a buzz when I score goals on the football field and when I don’t play football I don’t get that buzz, so I do have a bet, but that's something for me.”

The supporters and the media could see the Bluebirds were in freefall towards the end of the season, but players and management remained adamant that promotion was still on the cards.

In the end neither an automatic place in the Premier League or a place through the play-offs came to fruition and manager Dave Jones paid the ultimate price for failure and was sacked after six years at the helm.

“I was gutted not getting Cardiff to the Premiership,” added Chopra. Myself and the lads thought we would get an automatic spot. Yes, it was a hard season.

I'd piss off as well if all the abuse I was getting was not justified, if true what he said, who says that internet message boards cannot influence players, sorry to see him go to be honest, but don't blame him

quite a sobering article.

Worth remembering that players DO indeed read these boards, and do
have feelings.. they are flesh and blood. Chopra was one player who
always looked to give 100% when he was fit, a lad who'd never stop
running for the cause. I liked Chops. I would hate to think his abiding
memory of cardiff supporters is that we are back-stabbing bastards!!

Dave Jones never spoke out for him.
There are so many bad stories about Chops away from Football and so many are True, He could of been a legend.

Sure there was no Vodka in that Red Bull Mr Chopra ? Sorry but i hate kiss and tell players. All respect i had for Chopra just went out through the window. What a *****

Sure there was no Vodka in that Red Bull Mr Chopra ? Sorry but i hate kiss and tell players. All respect i had for Chopra just went out through the window. What a *****

so he should just accept all the crap written about him on here and in the papers etc and not be allowed to put his side of the story across? good one!

The fact remains that he and others went out on that Friday night against the instructions of the manager, I loved Chops always thought he gave 100% but showing such lack of respect for the manager, the team and the fans is completely unprofessional.

I wish him all the best for the future but his time here was up but I will always have fond memories of the player he was and not the player he has become.

What about the alleged night in Hereford before a match then , 1 in which he came off with THAT hamstring injury ? Just because you dont drink of a night the fact that a pro footballer is up late into the early hours means he isnt doing the correct pre match prep work etc ! Maybe just maybe a reserve team would have given Chopra more game time and a chance to lose weight and get fit too ?

He could have been a hero for City, unfortuantely his 2nd spell here tarnished any repect I had for him. There are so many incidents that demonstrate his general lack of respect for the fans and his fellow team mates. I wish him the best in admitting and coming to terms with his issues.

Will be interesting to hear Carl and Annis come back to this. And TBH I just don't get Chopras side of it. I have heard the same story from to many reliable People.

Carl/Annis,

With regard to Chopras comments. The updates whether true, partly true or just unfounded gossip. Do you still think that they don't damage the club you support?

Genuine question and not a snipe.

i think chops was a legend and am gutted to see him go
he was big enough to admit his gambling problem
and i believe him on the night out before boro

he was one of the fans scapegoats after the boro game but the truth of the matter was we we were shit and didn't gel as a team

What about the alleged night in Hereford before a match then , 1 in which he came off with THAT hamstring injury ? Just because you dont drink of a night the fact that a pro footballer is up late into the early hours means he isnt doing the correct pre match prep work etc ! Maybe just maybe a reserve team would have given Chopra more game time and a chance to lose weight and get fit too ?

Martyn, Chops was punished for that night.

So after this article how do we all feel his reception will be like when Ipswich play us this season ? Im 50/50

Carl/Annis,

With regard to Chopras comments. The updates whether true, partly true or just unfounded gossip. Do you still think that they don't damage the club you support?

Genuine question and not a snipe.

No,Def Not as if a player or players are out drinking/gambling 24/7 then HE IS THE ONE DAMAGING OUR CLUB.

Sure there was no Vodka in that Red Bull Mr Chopra ? Sorry but i hate kiss and tell players. All respect i had for Chopra just went out through the window. What a *****

Kiss and tell players???

Lets be fair mate.

He's been slated to f*ck on the messageboards lately.

For instance, you just said "WHAT A *****"

are you saying he'd be a big baby for disagreeing with you? and for wanting
to put HIS point across? I agree with you, i suspect he WAS on the piss. But
we have no proof do we.

If we are all happy to use this board to slag the f**k out of players when we
are angry with them, surely its a little hypocritical of us to go slagging them
off even further for going in print themselves to fight their corner??

I have hered that and I said before that a lot of the players have had a gutsfull of what they see as an over the top intrusion into their lifes outside of Football.

Chopra is saying he wasnt out in Hereford the night before the Barnsley game and he's saying he wasnt out on the Sunday before the Boro game, which is true? was he or wasnt he?

Carl/Annis,

With regard to Chopras comments. The updates whether true, partly true or just unfounded gossip. Do you still think that they don't damage the club you support?

Genuine question and not a snipe.

No,Def Not as if a player or players are out drinking/gambling 24/7 then HE IS THE ONE DAMAGING OUR CLUB.

The RUMOURS/STORIES/UPDATES about them all being pulled are true, and
to be fair, the fans deserve to know

Whats damaging is the way a lot of us absolutely SMASH the players on the
mesageboards. Perhaps we should sometimes wait and see what the outcome
is before steaming in all guns blazing!!! I'm as guilty as anyone else!!

He could have been a hero for City, unfortuantely his 2nd spell here tarnished any repect I had for him. There are so many incidents that demonstrate his general lack of respect for the fans and his fellow team mates. I wish him the best in admitting and coming to terms with his issues.

Spot on Jon.

So after this article how do we all feel his reception will be like when Ipswich play us this season ? Im 50/50

I will always give him a big welcome until the moment the game kicks off.

Then he is fare game like any other ex player.

Chopra was in a rut here and if you read the article he says that when he aint scoring goals he gets his " buzz " from gambling , so what about a buzz from actually playing for CCFC and helping to create goals for fellow team mates ? Football is a team game and he needs to remember that ! Plus the Barnsley injury shows he needs to act like a pro and do a proper pre match routine so he doesnt get injured again .

Sure there was no Vodka in that Red Bull Mr Chopra ? Sorry but i hate kiss and tell players. All respect i had for Chopra just went out through the window. What a *****

Are you sure that there was vodka in his Red Bull?

If not, then you shouldn't cast any aspersions that there may have been!

The problem with some of our supporters, is that they interpret things written on message boards differently and I remember reading the stories about the 5 players supposedly out on the lash and understood that they had also gone out on the Friday night after the presentation evening!

Many of our supporters however, read the reports wrongly and before we knew where we were, everybody was saying that it was the night before the Boro game, giving them only a few hours sleep and rest!

IMO, If we don't know the facts, then we should keep our mouths shut!

Sure there was no Vodka in that Red Bull Mr Chopra ? Sorry but i hate kiss and tell players. All respect i had for Chopra just went out through the window. What a *****

so he should just accept all the crap written about him on here and in the papers etc and not be allowed to put his side of the story across? good one!

things are written about him on here mate, because he is gambler and a piss head, have you forgot the hereford incident ?

He says that the Hereford incident didn't happen!

So are you a witness to it occurring?

if chopra was out the night before the barnsley and boro games then i suppose he deserved to be named and shamed but if there's even 10% chance that these rumours were untrue then i think it is shocking that it was written! we can bury our heads in the sand as much as we like , the fact remains that the things written on this message board affect the morale of the players and that is definitely a fact!

Sure there was no Vodka in that Red Bull Mr Chopra ? Sorry but i hate kiss and tell players. All respect i had for Chopra just went out through the window. What a *****

so he should just accept all the crap written about him on here and in the papers etc and not be allowed to put his side of the story across? good one!

things are written about him on here mate, because he is gambler and a piss head, have you forgot the hereford incident ?

Not at all.

But if someone came on this board or any other, and called me every name under the sun, id be on them
like a flash mate. We all would.

Are we seriously suggesting Chopra is now an even BIGGER c**t for
sticking up for himself??

Sure there was no Vodka in that Red Bull Mr Chopra ? Sorry but i hate kiss and tell players. All respect i had for Chopra just went out through the window. What a *****

so he should just accept all the crap written about him on here and in the papers etc and not be allowed to put his side of the story across? good one!

Theres better ways about doing it than blagging to a newspaper. People would have had more respect for him if he kept quiet and said thankyou for my time at the club, i loved the club and fans but it was time to move on for both.
For someone to say " Im not a heavy drinker " and be checked into a rehab clinic for drink ????
He then says “I’m not heavy drinker, or someone that gets steaming." Theres plenty of evidence and witnesses that have seen him steaming and behaving un- appropriately for a person in his position

Lets not forget youngsters look up to this guy, they are reading this about their hero, Its really not the type of thing they need to hear.
I loved Chopra as a player and loved his work ethic, but to go to the newspapers and discuss internal club matters is totally wrong and i have lost all the respect i had for him

I will tell you what is so amazing if Chopra is innocent, then why did our own Club not come out and Support them after the incident, they actually left them out to hang and made a statement virtually against them.

I also know that Simon Insole at 1.30pm before the Pompey game looked in the bookies on St Mary Street for away fans and saw Chops in there .

You may as well Gag the press about what all the Premier Players do away from football.

[quote="Forever Blue"]
I also know that Simon Insole at 1.30pm before the Pompey game looked in the bookies on St Mary Street for away fans and saw Chops in there .

[quote]


Never believe a copper annis..

I will tell you what is so amazing if Chopra is innocent, then why did our own Club not come out and Support them after the incident, they actually left them out to hang and made a statement virtually against them.

I also know that Simon Insole at 1.30pm before the Pompey game looked in the bookies on St Mary Street for away fans and saw Chops in there .

You may as well Gag the press about what all the Premier Players do away from football.

Chops wasn't even in the squad before the Pompey game Annis, as he was out injured, so I can't see that that incident is really relevant, especially as we won 3-0!

Clearly you, Carl and some other people on this message board are regularly in the know, but others on here, seem to interpret stories differently and input their own slant on things!

Personally, I've no idea whether any of the players were out on the lash the night before the Boro game, or whether Chops was out in Hereford before the Barnsley game, but unless we know things like these to be facts, then we shouldn't post them on message boards, as facts!