Obviously, not saying what he did was right, it was straight up retarded, but to think he would be punished is just silly.

some ppl call it "silly", others call it living in a first world country...

Don't pull that bullshit card. If Neuer had been arrested for the same bullshit in Germany during the Euros he would not have been punished either.

This, he would simply get a massive fine. This has nothing to do with the first world country aspect.

that's where you're mistaken...

famous football managers go to jail here for tax evasion. (uli hoeneß)
the best player of our team was sent home from a world cup - for giving fans the finger (effenberg)

i guarantee you if neuer crashed his car dui during a euro not only his tournament but most likely his career in the national team would be over...

It's all speculation at this point, but to throw that first world country bullshit into that is unfair.

Celebrities have always been above the law.

again, i understand that if you grew up in a country where this is true you just assume it's like that anywhere but that's just not true.

no matter how much we germans love our football heros - if any of them crashed their car while driving drunk, then tried to intimidate the arresting officer and then got away with a slap on the wrist by a judge the whole country would be outraged - and not on the streets campaigning for him to play...

There was this guy bayern spent shitloads on, breno or smth. Did some stupid thing, got convicted now sells donuts in the bayern store or something

And effenberg, god i hated that guy, a complete faggot

i like(d) effenberg. outstanding football player, always spoke his mind, very unique character but i understand that many ppl hated him.

still, the breno case you mentioned - another example that you do NOT get away with anything here just because you're "famous"...

Imo the punishment for celebrities should be harsher than common people, not only to make an example out of but because by their public image they influence shitloads others.

Not losing sleep over it clearly sends out the wrong message.

I like players that can handle both their proffesional and personal life without much fuss. Beckham was the perfect example of this. Worldwide superstar and playboy yet there was just once i've read a sexual scandal with him involving a babysitter or smth.