BILLY BUNTER

Weblog: The football punter

International surprises may not be over quite yet

THE action-packed international break is almost over and what a lot of surprises it’s thrown up.

A controversial handball decision in a crucial Ireland qualifier!

Scotland scoring against Spain, for God’s sake!

And, most shocking of all, Wayne Rooney writing to Uefa to plead his case after being sent off in Montenegro.

I know how difficult it is to get the little Bunters to sit down and write their thank-you letters after Christmas – they’re usually mailed by November the next year – so I’ve got plenty of sympathy for Colleen, or whoever else had to help Wayne with his homework.

As ever, the Bunter ear is close to the ground and I’ve actually managed to get my hands on a first draft of the Rooney apology.

“Dear Ikea,” it begins. “I’m dead sorry that the bloke from Monty Panesar accidentally walked into my foot the other day. Promise it won’t happen again, like. Please, please, please, please let us play next summer. Lots of love from Wayne.”

There’s not much actual football to get stuck into today so me and a mate are having a spread bet on how long Uefa can drag out the eight-team draw for the Euro 2012 play-offs.

I’m a buyer at three days.