I will probably be banned for this but... Footie Thread

**donKey jote** · 4th Dec 10, 21:41

Barca 0-3 in Pamplona after arriving just in time by train and bus due to the air strike

:bananas. :bananas: :bananas:

**odykas** · 4th Dec 10, 21:58

Amen

**Storm** · 6th Dec 10, 04:56

I was getting worried when the kick-off got delayed and also had doubts in the first few minutes of the game..

anyways what happened to the old thread?

hey ody!

**Eki** · 6th Dec 10, 11:59

You'll probably be banned for this, Donkey.

**Josti** · 6th Dec 10, 12:01

Barca bias for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or: Xavi, Messi and Iniesta.

I'm surprised not to see Sneijder making the cut. He was THE key player at Inter's most succesful season ever. And after that he was THE key player at the Dutch squad that made the World Cup final. What more do you want?

Messi, while phenomenal, didn't really have his best year. They could've left him out this time.

**pino** · 6th Dec 10, 16:49

I agree with you Josti, it's a big scandal that Sneijder isn't among the 3 best. To be honest, I believe he deserved the Balon d'Or for his amazing performances in 2010. Shame on those who have voted

**donKey jote** · 6th Dec 10, 16:59

I disagree

He's only out because there can only be 3 finalists, and all three deserve it.
All 6 to be honest, it's hard to choose between Del Bosque, Pep and (grumble grumble) ok Mourinho too maybe.

Barca can be proud: they didn't have to buy any golden balls.... Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are all a product of Barca's youth football

**MrMetro** · 6th Dec 10, 17:00

Leeds chairmen, Ken Bates thoughts on Fifa: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...Ken-Bates.html

**Storm** · 8th Dec 10, 13:04

Josti, I agree with the Sneijder thing, but then 2 of other guys won the little final he played in July. One scored the winning goal while the other created/orchestrated most of his team's wins all through the year.
Messi did' nt have a good year you say? 47 goals ain't enough ? + countless assits. He had a o.kworld cup although not scoring but was only poor in the Germany game. (anyways he won't win it this year, Iniesta/Xavi will)

**pino** · 8th Dec 10, 19:21

England Team "bad losers" says Blatter...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9269849.stm

**Rollo** · 8th Dec 10, 20:05

Originally Posted by pino

England Team "bad losers" says Blatter...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9269849.stm

"I was surprised by all the English complaining after the defeat. England, of all people, the motherland of fair play ideas," Blatter said.
"Now some of them are showing themselves to be bad losers."

Has Blatter had a brain explosion? FIFA has had allegations of deep corruption laid at at. Corruption and collusion by very definition fly in the face of "fair play ideas", and yet he has the gall to dismiss the whole thing...

"There is no systematic corruption in Fifa. That is nonsense," he said. "We are financially clean and clear."
Blatter stated that Fifa could not act as if nothing had happened, adding he wanted to set up a taskforce to look into compliance issues, without giving details.

OK, FIFA itself might be "financially clean and clear" but that says nothing for the people who act as its agents.

I don't think that England are bad losers. We didn't hear complaints from England in 2000 when Germany won the 2006 World Cup did we? Why? Because in theory, that bidding process was won by "fair play" principles..

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...reaking28.html
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been accused of corruption by the general secretary of world soccer's governing body Michel Zen-Ruffinen in an explosive report presented to the executive committee.

Zen-Ruffinen alleges in his "strictly confidential" 21-page dossier - obtained by Reuters - that the 66-year-old Blatter has systematically mismanaged FIFA by deception, illegal payments, violating the statutes and cronyism since becoming president in 1998.

I'm sorry Mr Blatter, but your of opinion of calling England "bad losers" is beyond worthless.

**odykas** · 8th Dec 10, 20:07

Money - Money - Money

**Storm** · 9th Dec 10, 14:16

I was hoping that England or Spain/Portugal ended up hosting the '18 Cup

that would have increased my chances of trying to go and watch one!

**donKey jote** · 9th Dec 10, 14:41

me too... would've been a laugh to prepare our driving events at "home" for a change

**odykas** · 13th Dec 10, 15:53

Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Sociedad

In Italy, Zuventus shares 2nd place with Napoli and Lazio.

Pino must be somewhat satisfied

**race aficionado** · 13th Dec 10, 15:56

Originally Posted by odykas

Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Sociedad

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. . . and Messi's goals were superb . . . .

**pino** · 13th Dec 10, 16:01

Originally Posted by odykas

Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Sociedad

In Italy, Zuventus shares 2nd place with Napoli and Lazio.

Pino must be somewhat satisfied

Yes ody, this year I am very satisfied with my Juve

althought we're still 6 points behind Milan...but we will catch them soon

**glauistean** · 13th Dec 10, 16:20

Originally Posted by Rollo

"I was surprised by all the English complaining after the defeat. England, of all people, the motherland of fair play ideas," Blatter said.
"Now some of them are showing themselves to be bad losers."

Has Blatter had a brain explosion? FIFA has had allegations of deep corruption laid at at. Corruption and collusion by very definition fly in the face of "fair play ideas", and yet he has the gall to dismiss the whole thing...

"There is no systematic corruption in Fifa. That is nonsense," he said. "We are financially clean and clear."
Blatter stated that Fifa could not act as if nothing had happened, adding he wanted to set up a taskforce to look into compliance issues, without giving details.

OK, FIFA itself might be "financially clean and clear" but that says nothing for the people who act as its agents.

I don't think that England are bad losers. We didn't hear complaints from England in 2000 when Germany won the 2006 World Cup did we? Why? Because in theory, that bidding process was won by "fair play" principles..

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...reaking28.html
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been accused of corruption by the general secretary of world soccer's governing body Michel Zen-Ruffinen in an explosive report presented to the executive committee.

Zen-Ruffinen alleges in his "strictly confidential" 21-page dossier - obtained by Reuters - that the 66-year-old Blatter has systematically mismanaged FIFA by deception, illegal payments, violating the statutes and cronyism since becoming president in 1998.

I'm sorry Mr Blatter, but your of opinion of calling England "bad losers" is beyond worthless.

I recall when the Republic of Ireland,I believe, was knocked out by France after a blantant Henri hand ball, not once but three times handled and not one of the officials saw it. Henri admitted he saw it and the French players and fans wanted action taken.

After the game and France were through to the Finals it was suggested that it was in FIFA's interest to have France at the WC rather than Ireland.

When confronted with the possibility of replaying the game due to the blatant handling and admission of such Blatter was heard laughing about the Irish demands for "fair" play supported by the French team, countless players and the English FA suggesting some type of remedy.

Blatter was forced to apologize. Not that it did any good but the cynical b****** was exposed.

How England has not had a World Cup since 1966 is beyond me.

They have the stadiums and the infrastructure. Brazil is building new stadiums that will end up like those in South Africa. Empty and starting to fall to the ravages of time although only months since they were played upon.

Stadium of Light, Old Trafford, Wembley, Stamford Bridge, Anfield, Reebok Stadium, Villa Park, Emirates (sic) Stadium, White Hart Lane are a few completely ready and waiting. Shoot the second level of English football has stadiums as good as the Premier Division.