UNPROFESSIONAL FOUL gives a heads up of potential trouble brewing in the English city of Leicester. A local charity wants to build a statue of Mahamta Gandhi, in recognition of the city’s growing Asian population - and presumably, as UF attests, it’s “phenomenal” Indian food.

However, one local soccer fan is against the idea. Instead, he suggests putting up a statue honoring former national football star & potato chip spokesman Gary Lineker.

On one hand, you have the leader of the Indian independence movement whose peaceful demonstrations helped drive British rule from his homeland. On the other, you have a 15-year soccer veteran who became just as famous in his own homeland for appearing in commercials for Walkers Crisps.

It’s the classic battle between the nonviolent Gandhi and the ultra-violent English soccer fan. Each side has stated their support for their particular statues. Leicester politician Keith Vaz mentions his motive for Mahatma:

“Gandhi’s philosophy of brotherhood among those of different religions and ethnicity should be honoured and celebrated. A statue of Gandhi will be an excellent symbol of Leicester’s commitment to diversity.”

But Lee Ingram, the man against Gandhi, lists why he likes Lineker:

“Gandhi is a historical figure connected to India. He has no connection to English culture or the English, therefore a statue of him would be more suitably erected in India. This would be yet another symbol of segregation in Leicester and it would be something else for the Asian community. We have local heroes here, Lineker or the writer, Joe Orton.

Joe Orton? We’d be more impressed with Ed Norton.

Anyway, this is the most exciting debate over municipal artwork since the proposal to put Bruce Lee on the University of Washington campus. But UF commenter The NY Kid offers up a suitable compromise for Leicester:

“I would vote for a statue of Ben Kingsley, since he played Ghandi and looks like Lineker. Problem solved!“