Frank Lampard, footballer defends himself on the radio

[Eddy]

Furious Lampard speaks out on radio

England footballer Frank Lampard has made an angry tirade on live radio to hit back at claims made by his former fiancee.

The Chelsea star phoned James O'Brien's show on LBC 97.3 to defend himself against newspaper reports which alleged he was living in a mansion while his children stayed in a flat.

Lampard and ex-partner Elen Rives split in November last year and have two daughters, aged two and one.

Lampard told O'Brien: "Before I had kids it was all for myself and since I've had kids, every penny I earn and every ounce and every yard I run on the football pitch is for my kids. Unfortunately I've split up with my girlfriend so they're now living in a temporary flat in Fulham, Chelsea, and it's not a bad flat at all, and I'm actually buying a house at the moment which is of equal living standard if not more to mine."

His sister had been listening to the show and was angered by negative comments callers made about the footballer, which spurred the England star to phone in.

Lampard claimed Rives had unwittingly spoken to a journalist when she was "drunk". He said he and the former air hostess have agreed joint custody of their children.

And the footballer added: "Let me tell you something now, my mother died a year ago today, which has been a huge impact on my life, my family's life and my sister's life. And unfortunately that's had a huge impact on my relationship at home."

He repeatedly accused O'Brien of calling him "weak" and "scum" and went on: "The hardest part of this whole break-up for me is not waking up with my kids every day.

"So before you start insinuating and calling people weak and scum on a radio station, getting on a high horse, which you are, because I hope one day that your wife or your girlfriend doesn't come to you and say: 'I don't want to be with you anymore,' and unfortunately that means you won't see the kids for a few days a week. That will hurt with you as well but you'd have to deal with it."

The DJ gave Lampard credit for explaining himself "brilliantly" but refused to apologise for inviting calls on a story in the Daily Mail newspaper.

Ananova, 24/03/09.

[Mootle]

I feel sorry for the children

[Eddy]

I listened to most of this later on in the day.I believe Lampard was being completely sincere.

He was speaking from the heart and he is right when he says that he is being unfairly and harshly criticised because of a few misquoted and drunken remarks by his ex-girlfriend.

I actually felt sorry for him when he stated that his depression over his mother's death led to the break-up of his relationship. This is private stuff and Lampard, his family and girlfriend should be left alone. It is not in the public interest to discuss this on a radio programme.

[KingArthur]

I agree Eddy and I am not defending the radio station but surely Lampard's rage would be best directed at the newspaper who printed the original story? The tabloids seem to get away with anything.
When Max Mosely "won" his legal action against a tabloid (I think NotW) he had to pay more in costs than he won in damages plus of course his lawyers would demand a hefty fee. Actually I am sick at the lot of them. (The tabloids, radio, trash TV) A plague on all their houses.