Sports

New York City FC near deal for 9/11 lout Frank Lampard

New York City FC will unveil its latest star player Thursday, with the newest acquisition expected to be English midfielder Frank Lampard. And if Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer leaves London for New York, he’ll have some explaining to do over his reported past abuse of grieving Americans in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Lampard was one of four Chelsea players who reportedly verbally abused American tourists who had been stranded at a Heathrow Airport hotel in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks. The drunken midfielder, then 23, and his teammates mocked them, stripped, swore and vomited in front of the group of Americans.

Lampard just finished playing in the World Cup with England, and on Monday he announced his retirement from Chelsea, where he spent his whole career, won three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. After a short vacation with TV personality fiancée Christine Bleakley, he is expected to join New York City FC on Thursday.

He visited Manchester City’s training ground last month at the same time as Spanish striker David Villa, who promptly signed with New York City FC, which is co-owned by Manchester City and the Yankees. With Xavi flirting with New York City FC and the Red Bulls before spurning their advances to stay in Barcelona, Lampard now is expected to join Villa at NYC FC.

With Villa, Lampard and both the deep pockets and willingness to sign a third Designated Player, New York City FC could join MLS next year with a strong squad for an expansion team. But Lampard could get a cold shoulder from some Yankees fans and other New Yorkers with long memories.

He and the other Chelsea players were fined by the EPL side, and Lampard has since said he regrets his past mistakes, but feels young men in other careers don’t get the same attention for youthful indiscretions.