JAKARTA - Today, April 3 in 1999, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler 'set fire' to Anfield Stadium with the most "junkie" goal celebration in world football history. Fowler exploded in the middle of the Merseyside derby, in an expression fueled by the pressure of rumors about his alleged drug user.
The game was only 41 seconds long when Olivier Dacourt's long-range shot found the host's goal guarded by David James. Everton are in the lead. In the 15th minute, Marco Materazzi fouls Paul Ince in the penalty box. Fowler's shot to the left of the goal was beyond Everton's goalkeeper, Thomas Myhre. The score is just as strong.
After scoring a goal, Fowler ran towards the Everton supporters stands behind the right of the goal. Fowler lowered himself until his head reached the field line, before he performed the cocaine-user sniffing gesture. Another Liverpool player pulled Fowler up, before Fowler raised his hand and showed a little dance and returned to crawling with a sniffing gesture.
The day's match ended 3-2, with Fowler scoring twice. Another goal from Liverpool was scored by Czech midfielder Patrik Berger, while Everton's second was scored by Francis Jeffers.
After the match, the English Football Association, FA immediately took action on Fowler's celebration. They worry that Fowler's celebration will affect the lifestyle of young British people. Fowler was also suspended with a six-game ban.
The punishment was accumulated by the homophobic slurs that Fowler leveled at Chelsea player Graeme Le Saux in the previous game. In addition to the ban, Fowler was also charged with a fine of £ 32,000.
Allegations of drug users
Later, Fowler made a statement regarding the controversial celebration. Interviewed by the Independent, Fowler stated that the celebration was a reaction to the pressure on allegations of drug abuse that had been directed by the public - especially Everton fans - against him.
"In recent years, I have felt depressed and deeply saddened by the allegations about drug abuse that have been continuously leveled at me. These accusations not only affected me on the ground, but also hurt my family's feelings," said Fowler, in an April 5 1999 article. .
There is a reason why these allegations have affected Fowler and his family so much. As told in Fowler's autobiography: My Autobiography, the striker's childhood was filled with painful incidents about two of his cousins who died from drug abuse.
“If people witnessed the destruction of my aunt, how would she have to live with that pain until the end of her life. I don't think people will use 'drugs' as a joke. They even call me using it, ”wrote Fowler.
The stereotypical accusation against Fowler was made by the supporters of The Toffees - the nickname of Everton - because Fowler came from Toxteth, Merseyside. Fowler's hometown is known as one of the areas with the highest drug trafficking rates in Britain.
In a study by Nick Morgan's The Heroin Epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s and Its Effect on Crime Trends - Then and Now, quoted by Pandit Football, it is explained that Merseyside is one of the other areas where heroin use outbreaks were first hit in the 1980s. From these areas, drugs became a national problem in the 90s.
Later, Fowler apologized for the celebration. Fowler realizes, on the other hand, that celebrations are painful for those who are struggling with drugs, including those who are desperately breaking out of the grip of illegal chemicals.
Whatever happened that day, Fowler was one of the fiercest strikers England has ever had. The ferocity has even been seen since he was young. Quoted from the lfchistory.net page, Jim Aspinall, the Liverpool scout who found Fowler at the age of 14 said, "He (Fowler) has very good instincts, about where to put the ball and run to find a gap ... His touch on the ball is another special thing, "he said, describing his impression of young Fowler.
At the age of 23 years and 283 days, Fowler broke the record for being the youngest player to score a hundred goals in the Premier League. With Liverpool, Fowler won one FA Cup (2001), one League Cup (1995 and 2001), the UEFA Cup (2001), the European Super Cup (2001).
Fowler ended his adventure on the green field with Muang Thong United in 2011-2012, after playing at Liverpool, Leeds United, Manchester City, Cardiff City, Blackbur Rovers, North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory.
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