The Real Football Thread

[Rob5091]

If the ongoing controversy about Saudi Arabia hosting a World Cup was not enough, China is locking people up for bribery and corruption - including former player and national coach -
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kvxyj6y13o

The former coach of the Chinese national men's football team has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for bribery, state media reported.

Li Tie, who also played for Everton in the English Premier League, confessed earlier this year to fixing matches, accepting bribes, and offering bribes to get the top coaching job. ...
Earlier this week, three former officials from the Chinese Football Association (CFA) were also handed jail sentences for bribery. More than a dozen coaches and players have been investigated.
Li, who was the national team's head coach from January 2020 to December 2021, pleaded guilty in March to taking over $16 million in bribes.

This latest anti-graft campaign echoes an earlier crackdown in Chinese football in 2010, when several officials, national team players and referees were jailed for corruption.

That was also led by Xi, who was then China's vice-president.

Rowan Simons, who authored the book Bamboo Goalposts, on his long-term efforts to develop grassroots football in China, told BBC Chinese earlier this year: "In many ways, [the current campaign] looks exactly the same as it was 10 years ago with a different set of characters.

"How is it different? There's much more money involved."

 

[Rob5091]

Got the popcorn ready? It's City versus United in Manchester today and both teams are desperately wanting to win.

 

[Rob5091]

Jeezus what a dire match! 90 minutes of drudgery then 1 piece of good finishing. Best bit was Guardiola's reaction to City giving away a penalty. Glad I didn't pay good money to watch that!

 

[Rob5091]

Just when you thought it was over ... european super leauge is back! Someone somewhere must have worked out they'll be really rich otherwise this is a dead duck -
https://www.reuters.com/sports/socc...-call-uefa-recognise-unity-league-2024-12-17/

The new format, which has no definite start date, would comprise 32 clubs split into a Star and Gold League, 32 in a Blue League and 32 in a Union League.
Group matches would run from September to April followed by an eight-club knockout phase.

Spain's LaLiga quickly rejected A22's attempt to resurrect the new competition, saying it would serve an 'elitist few' and 'destroy the economy of national leagues'.
"The project continues to lack support from clubs, federations, players, fans, national governments and European institutions," LaLiga said in a statement.
While not commenting on A22's latest proposal, the English Premier League's stance is thought to be the same as last year when it said the ECJ ruling did not endorse a European Super League and that it continued to reject the concept.

 

[Rob5091]

The ongoing soap opera that is Man Utd. continues -
Sir Jim coughs up some promised money - same time as he tries to save money -
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/19/sir-jim-ratcliffe-manchester-united-stake-increase

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has increased his stake in Manchester United after injecting a further £79.3m ($100m) promised when he bought his minority stake last year.

The British billionaire now owns 28.94% of the club, up from 27.7%.

Reducing spending has been a key remit for Ratcliffe, leading to 250 employees leaving, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial role will conclude at the end of the season as part of cost-cutting measures. The minority owner has also received criticism for a mid-season ticket price increase and removing concessions for children and pensioners for the remaining fixtures.

Former poster boy Rashford is apparently off to another club, but they'll need to have some money as he's on $400,000 PER WEEK!

https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/foo...club-contract-salary/8150b8655850281b9b93db48

 

[Rob5091]

Netflix gets into showing ladies footie -
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...-rights-for-womens-world-cup-in-landmark-deal

Netflix has secured its first major deal in the football market after signing an exclusive broadcast rights agreement to show the 2027 and 2031 editions of the Women’s World Cup live to audiences in the United States and Puerto Rico.

 

[Rob5091]

After all the on pitch disasters at Sir Jim's Man Utd (and watching the match against Bournemouth was a true exhibition in mediocrity by Utd), now there's rodents at Old Trafford! (put in your own joke here)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...Man-United-MICE-infestation-Old-Trafford.html

Droppings were discovered on a recent visit by hygiene inspectors and the club slapped with a two-star rating, way short of the maximum five.

Club officials are working with pest control partners and the local council and are implementing a series of measures aimed at tackling the problem. Mail Sport understands that inspectors found evidence of mice activity in a ground level corporate suites and in a kiosk that sells food to fans on a concourse.

 

[Rob5091]

Manchester has City and United both struggling and all the ready cash aint helping a lot.

 

[Rob5091]

Man Utd new manager already feeling the strain ...
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgm9evp4177o

While United sources stress there is total support for the new boss inside Old Trafford, recent results and performances have made some fans nervous.

Away supporters booed their team at the final whistle of the 2-0 defeat by Wolves at Molineux on Boxing Day, and with many exiting quickly it left the players to acknowledge hundreds of empty yellow seats before heading to the tunnel.

"The manager of Manchester United can never, no matter what, be comfortable," said Amorim. ...
United were so convinced in Amorim, they paid Sporting £10.6m in compensation to get him out of his contract.

But Amorim does not believe that will save him if results do not improve.

"I know that if we don't win, regardless if they pay the buyout or not, every manager is in danger," he said.

 

[Tim Cahill]

That's Sir Southgate to you utter plebians!!!!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1873859161882320947

Not really a royalist myself, so don't have much of an opinion on it, but will note that it seems to be massively upsetting a cross-section of English society that have Winston Churchill profile pictures, fantasise about wars they never fought in and think if they could only get rid of Sadiq Kahn then the local wool shop that closed in 1999 will reopen, despite living in Durham.

Moyesey also honoured (OBE). I have a lot of time for David, not just because I'm a Preston fan but because when he was broadcasting at the Euros he absolutely insisted on calling the team playing 'Czechoslovakia', refusing to acknowledge not one but two historical name changes. Not a woke nonsense bone in the mans body.

 

[Rob5091]

Don't know what the fuss is all about with Southgate getting a knighthood. Every lackey and his dog gets trinkets from the high and mighty at Christmas time (down to groundsmen and the beaters up in Scotland).
Back in Manchester, Sir Jim's plans for his childhood favs seems to have hit a big problem - a useless set of players.
Latest defeat to Newcastle described as an abysmal performance '
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c0j1571xqj2t

United end the year in 14th place, seven points above the relegation zone. What was once was humorous jibing about a fight to avoid the drop is now a little too close to comfort - and league leaders Liverpool lie in wait at Anfield on Sunday.

The way things are currently going, the Liverpool match will be over after 15 minutes or so.

 

[Rob5091]

Not since the Christens went up against the lions at the Collesum, has their been a more expected one sided match then Sunday's Liverpool against Man Utd.
To make matters worse, Utd s star forward Rashford is "ill" (or looking for greener pastures) whilst his over paid mediocre team mates will be hoping Liverpool ease up after getting a few early goals. Last time it was 7-0 to Liverpool.
Already there is talk about a slide down the table to possible relegation for Sir Jim's side (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/clyv8r9427no )

 

[BigCoward]

Not since the Christens went up against the lions at the Collesum, has their been a more expected one sided match then Sunday's Liverpool against Man Utd.
To make matters worse, Utd s star forward Rashford is "ill" (or looking for greener pastures) whilst his over paid mediocre team mates will be hoping Liverpool ease up after getting a few early goals. Last time it was 7-0 to Liverpool.
Already there is talk about a slide down the table to possible relegation for Sir Jim's side (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/clyv8r9427no )

Nobody thinks that.

 

[Rob5091]

Nobody thinks that.

That's just the reason that Utd say why Rashford aint playing. I felt pretty ill after watching Utd play Bournemouth!
Edit- Ahh, I see you meant "star forward" ... well, he was the next big thing at one time but he's failed to deliver the goods recently.

 

[Rob5091]

The wheels seem to be coming off the Liverpool juggernaut. A half hearted performance against Utd then a loss to Spurs (!). Too much off pitch worries by the sounds of it.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Realised I've watched too much cycling when I'm googling to see who Notts Forest's doctor is and checking to see if Chris Wood has any doping allegations against his name after a bizarre upturn in form.

 

[Rob5091]

Yep, the Premier League in England's been a real odd season so far. The Manchester teams imploding, Forest back to their "Clough" days, ( worth a read about Cloughie's arrival at Forest at HERE ), Spurs unable to defend, Liverpool seemingly the only consistent team now also having problems. The 3 teams currently at the bottom look destined to go down, which is probably a relief for some of the other teams in the nether regions.

 

[Rob5091]

Utd are historic, but not for the good reasons ... (after watching them lose to Brighton. I can only agree tht the team is a shambles)
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c77r85gj45xo

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has described his team as "maybe the worst" in the 147-year history of the club.

 

[Rob5091]

Does not look like a bright future at Utd for Rashford -
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0m1lemv8w7o

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has suggested he'd rather give a place on the bench to his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach instead of Marcus Rashford because of a perceived lack of effort.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Does not look like a bright future at Utd for Rashford -
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0m1lemv8w7o

At least Milan no longer wants him...

 

[Rob5091]

At least Milan no longer wants him...

No one wants to pay Rashford his ridiculous amount of wages,
More soccer players involved with illegal narcotics - seems to be this season's things -
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c627zx21k94o

Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking. ...The arrest comes just six days after Nainggolan came out of retirement to sign for Lokeren in the Belgian second division.

 

[Rob5091]

Utd have manged to ditch Rashford, but are still struggling, Arsenal put 5 past City so look good for at least runners up spot behind Liverpool at the moment. City have at least got some fresh blood so should be good for a European spot next year.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c2eg41jyjneo

 

[Mayomaniac]

Utd have manged to ditch Rashford, but are still struggling, Arsenal put 5 past City so look good for at least runners up spot behind Liverpool at the moment. City have at least got some fresh blood so should be good for a European spot next year.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c2eg41jyjneo

Yeah, but him and the living Dreidel Antony only went out on a 6 month loan. That said, besides his absurd wage one could probably get decent results out of Rashford, if you play him as a forward (and everybody is underperforming at United, let's be real).

 

[Tim Cahill]

Apparently Albania tried to host it alone but needed a partner because they didn't have enough big stadiums, they asked natural allies Kosovo and North Macedonia, but they were also unable to bid.

They asked Belgium and Turkey but they backed out due to security concerns so they paired up with the only country left in the region who's capricious head of federation wanted to host it.

In hilarious fashion the bid went uncontested, so now we end up with;

https://twitter.com/x/status/1886790564341014576

“One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans.”– Otto von Bismarck (1888)

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yeah, but him and the living Dreidel Antony only went out on a 6 month loan. That said, besides his absurd wage one could probably get decent results out of Rashford, if you play him as a forward (and everybody is underperforming at United, let's be real).

Did you see Betis' video announcing him, though? It was purely the most brilliantly surreal thing I have seen in football since Jorge Campos retired.