If the Verdict Seems Bad, You Must Get Mad

If you’re not yet tired of courtroom scenes, there was a classic this week in London. It began when Matthew Simmons, a 21-year-old soccer fan, was convicted of provoking an attack by soccer star Eric Cantona a year ago.

When Simmons heard the verdict, he jumped over the courtroom railing and over a bench, seized prosecutor Jeffery McCann from behind in a headlock and ripped McCann’s tie off.

Some witnesses said Simmons appeared to kick McCann in the chest as he swung his legs over the bench. Simmons dragged the prosecutor backward by the throat before eight security guards overpowered Simmons as he screamed something.

What was Simmons yelling? “I’m innocent!”

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Trivia time: Who is the youngest athlete to win a medal in the men’s 100 meters at the world track championships?

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Schedule note: Are you ready for some grudge ball? The Cowboys play the Dolphins Oct. 27. Circle it on your calendar. Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson already have.

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Blues note: The St. Louis Blues reportedly are interested in Kelly Hrudey, who doesn’t expect to be back with the Kings.

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She disagrees: Cristina Sanchez, 24, is about to become the first female matador in the history of Spanish bullfighting. Matadors are at the top level of bullfighting. Sanchez fought bulls in lesser categories for nearly six years and has killed about 400. She also has been badly gored three times.

It should be noted that there were several female Spanish bullfighters before Gen. Francisco Franco prohibited women in the bullring, remarking they made a “disagreeable sight.”

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Yeah, it’s not football: Craig Sager of TNT thinks there may have been a tad too much made of the sore feet belonging to Rik Smits of the Indiana Pacers.

Said Sager: “No feet have received this much attention since Neil Armstrong landed on the moon.”

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A moving experience? Shaun Powell of the Sporting News said it would be best for the Clippers if they left “the antiquated Sports Arena, where the nightly crowds can equal the amount of calories Stanley Roberts consumes in one day.”

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The closer you get: Peter Gammons of the Boston Globe thinks Lee Smith is downright selfish in his closer controversy with the Angels.

Said Gammons: “He is 38 years old, pitching for a team that not only has a legitimate chance to take him to his first World Series, but is the only team in either league that a year ago was willing to risk a two-year contract on him. Lee Smith couldn’t care less.”

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Trivia answer: UCLA’s Ato Boldon, 21, who was third at Goteborg, Sweden, last August. He will compete in USC-UCLA meet today at Drake Stadium.

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And finally: Mark Grace of the Chicago Cubs says pitcher Turk Wendell has the two qualities most vital to a successful closer: “He’s crazy, and he doesn’t give a damn.”