Football: WORLD CUP 06 and close season/transfer discussion.

Flabio · Post by **Flabio** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:50 pm 0

I didn't say I believe it, someone just mentioned earlier 'I wonder what the Sun's take on it will be'.

I actaully belong to the largest group of people in the UK, those that choose not to buy any of the newspapers.

I wonder what the age demographic is for the papers these days? I've heard that in the states it's mostly the over 40's that buy them, cause the younger generations watch the tv or read the internet instead.

Flabio · Post by **Flabio** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:58 pm 0

I know, a reply after my own post, but I'm changing the subject:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 141866.stm

The Greek national team and all it's club teams have been banned from international competition.

I'd heard they were threatening to do this to countries found to have unacceptable amounts of racist chanting, but not for corruption. Doesn't bode well for Italy does it?

Arthur Ringworn · Post by **Arthur Ringworn** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:12 pm 0

Flabio wrote:The sun went for something along the lines of Rooney being quoted saying he'll rip Ronaldo in two next time he sees him.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006300467,00.html

Charmingly sporting of him I thought.

So, Man U for the title this year then?

And the same story on the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 141510.stm

"I bear no ill feeling to Cristiano but am disappointed he chose to get involved."

PFVA · Post by **PFVA** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:58 pm 0

From that BBC article on Greece:

Fifa said that it had issued several warnings to the HFF to guarantee, by a 15 July deadline, that the running of football in the country would be free from political movement - but this had been ignored.

In particular, Fifa cited a proposed new Greek law on professional football leagues in the country that "constitutes another example of interference from the government in football affairs".

Does anyone know exactly what the Greek law says. Keeping football fm political influence is a very nice ideal but probably very difficult to accomplish. Has Greece really gone beyond the normal stuff of politicians using football to get people to vote for their parties.

And who is Greece being racist against? Turkey? Macedonia?

PFVA · Post by **PFVA** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:03 pm 0

Crystal_sword wrote:i would not take Sun Seriously.

They love to exaggerate and And Turn Things out of prespective.

It is mostlikley Roony proborbally said he would have a word with Ronaldo.

And at most if true, that would release Cristiano Ronaldo fm his current contract and i'm pretty sure he can get another one.

Plus i also think that the Sun is exaggerating if true at all and whatever Rooney said he was just venting and it doesn't necessarily mean it will be taken into action.

Above all that's poor journalism.

Flabio · Post by **Flabio** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:09 pm 0

PFVA wrote:And who is Greece being racist against? Turkey? Macedonia?

I wasn't saying they were, just that this level of punishment is what FIFA mooted as being the punishment for racism.

There's nothing clear as to what the ruling is actually for in their official statement either.

merman · Post by **merman** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:39 pm 0

Greece have been banned for political interference in the running of the game, i.e. politicians dictating what happens to funding and how the professional league is run, rather than the national federation taking the decisions as recognised by FIFA.

Individual Italian clubs may be banned for corruption if that is proven, but the whole federation won't be... unless the corruption does go into the higher levels of the Italian FA.

PFVA · Post by **PFVA** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:47 am 0

merman wrote:Greece have been banned for political interference in the running of the game, i.e. politicians dictating what happens to funding and how the professional league is run, rather than the national federation taking the decisions as recognised by FIFA.

That i understand. If each country politicians start dictating out is hould be run we'll end up with an enormous confusion.
As for clubs being banned for corruption i agree, and not only Italy. Three years ago, and also 2 years ago we had major scandals of corruption in the Portuguese teams, one of them involving my Team. If people go around paying off other teams to win the Nacional champshionship (that's what actually happened) which then place the team in the Europeans the games should be clean. If they can't win clean then give the place to those who can. What i'm afraid is that the FIFA punishment is going to lead to our Nacional Associations failing to investigate those issues not to have to face the internacional embarrassment of them being banned from the Europeans.

P.S. I also don't want my team winning the National thru paying off the smallest teams. I prefer them loosing and having a clean game.

mac monkey · Post by **mac monkey** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:30 am 0

10 uses for an unwanted England flag

Millions of England fans are waking up to unwanted flags on houses and cars. A few suggestions on what to do with them.

1. Use them to dry your eyes. Despite most flags being made from synthetic materials, typically woven polyester, some of them can be absorbent enough for your most lachrymose moments.

2. Continue to display your England flag with pride (part I). If anybody asks, point out England are still in the competition, Saturday was all just a bad dream, lightning never strikes so many times, it's going to be an England v Germany final. Place hands over ears and repeat "naa naa naa, I can't hear you".

Two symbols of summer sporting failure

3. If you're a Sun reader you could consider using the flags as stuffing for an effigy of the newly-crowned "least popular man in the Premiership" Cristiano Ronaldo. Don't burn it though as some polyester can give off pollutants.

4. Recycle it. Some polyester fibre can be recycled effectively.

5. Return them to China. They made them.

6. If you know anyone who's a dab hand with a sewing machine why not consider turning the flags into clothing and shipping them out to developing countries.

7. Bleach flag, convert into cross of St Andrew, get behind Andrew Murray. There isn't a single French, German, Portuguese or Italian player left in the men's singles at Wimbledon. So frankly, who cares about the World Cup. (Scratch that one).

It won't make a very effective umbrella

8. Continue to display your England flag with pride (part II). England kick off the World Lacrosse championships on 14 July. Best of all the tournament is being held in London (Ontario). Come on England.

9. Try and get a refund or exchange. The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 makes it an offence for a trader to knowingly or recklessly make misleading statements about services. Any flag trader who suggested England enjoyed a vague chance of actually winning the thing should surely feel obliged to offer you at least a France flag in exchange.

10. Save them for next time. Euro 2008 is in Switzerland and Austria. With David Beckham likely to head off to spend more time with his hair, England might really have a chance of winning. There's only 705 days to go.

Louis G · Post by **Louis G** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:42 pm 0

Or just wipe your arse with it

Crystal_sword · Post by **Crystal_sword** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:06 pm 0

dayu, thats harsh about Greece, but i guess they deserve it.

As for Rooney/Ronaldo Situation.

I said earlier to ignore the Sun, its 99% nonesense.

According to another Source: -

Ronaldo and Rooney had a "text Chat" where they made up. And Rooney said to Ronaldo "Ignore the English Press, their like that" and that Rooney forgave him, as end of the day, Rooney was playing for his country, and Ronaldo was palying for his.

Or someting like that.

anyway,. best bet is to ignore the Tabloids.

Or just wipe your arse with it

Even that is to luxirous for these Tabloids

mac monkey · Post by **mac monkey** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:15 pm 0

Yeah your right about the tabloid's.
But, i bet Rooney won't pull out of a tackle on Ronaldo in the training ground if the opportunity arises in the near future

Crystal_sword · Post by **Crystal_sword** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:46 pm 0

^^

lol true

Post by **gribbles** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:10 pm 0

Apparantly Ronaldo has got down on his knees and apologised to Rooney

GeeZa · Post by **GeeZa** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:55 pm 0

Well? No comment on the semi? Pretty even so far I'd say but some good chances either end. Italy probably coming the closest and looking useful on the break.