Yesterday a report was published on ESPN FC that suggested that Jermain Defoe's first words at his introductory press conference were "I'm happy to be in the U.S."
Almost immediately Toronto fans shot back at the report and challenged its accuracy.
It did seem a bit odd that about 300 Canadians sitting in a press conference and thousands more watching live somehow missed Defoe saying that Toronto was in the U.S. while one guy, in London, noticed. Canadians do tend to be a tad bit sensitive on the subject after all.
Regardless, let's not rely on our memory here. Instead, let's actually look at what Defoe said. A transcript of his statement is below the jump:
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
First of all I'd like to say a special thank you to the fans; what an amazing reception. As you can imagine sometimes in life when a massive opportunity comes your way sometimes it isn't easy to leave your home town, to leave the club you've been a part of for nine years. So to come here and receive a reception like that is remarkable. I feel like I'm at home already.Obviously I'd like to thank, first of all I'd like to thank Ryan, the manager, who was someone I knew from THFC. (He's a) great man, a natural leader and when he gave me that call in the summer I was honest with him. I just said 'yeah, it's something I've always thought I'd like to do in my career -- I'd like to play in the MLS.' I still feel strong, I still feel sharp. I wanted to come here and not for the wrong reasons, but to actually come here and win trophies and be the best for the team.
Tim (Bezbatchenko), who I met in London, and again the introduction was fantastic. Immediately I felt welcome and the appreciation you showed for my talents. It was a great feeling and I thank you for that.
The main man here -- Tim (Leiweke) again -- I met you in London too and we spoke on the phone. I feel that we have a good relationship already. All I can say is I'm delighted to be here and to get on to this fantastic journey together. The drive you have -- we're very similar that way. I'm a winner. Even in training if I lose I'm upset driving home. All I can say is ill give it 100 percent every time, work hard for the team and hopefully get a lot of goals for the team and win trophies. That's what it's all about.
And just to quickly finish up the whole team. Just the people I've met that work for the team I'd like to thank them for making my family feel welcome -- my PA Claire, my mum, my sister, my brother Chase, my step-dad Andre. We're all in this together. It was a family decision. My agent for putting the deal together. It was never easy and, yeah, it's going to be a fantastic journey and I'm looking forward to it.
But, at the same time I understand I've got to go back to THFC and continue to work hard for the team. Obviously that's just my nature that you'll see when I come to Toronto. Once I put the shirt on its about hard work and dedication.
So, as every single person who was actually at the press conference, or who actually watched it, or who took five minutes to watch it on Torontofc.ca, knew the report was wrong.
Yet, it remains up at ESPNFC. The right thing to do would be to publish a retraction, no?
The author of the piece can be reached on a twitter at @waatpies. Do with that information what you will.