Thespoiler has always thought that there aren’t enough awards ceremonies these days. Young Hollyoaks actresses, American Presidents and Lionel Messi just don’t get enough love.
Sepp Blatter, being the wise man he is, agrees with us. Hence his unveiling this week of the FIFA Puskas award, a new prize to be awarded for the ‘finest goal of the year.’ The selection process for the winner of the award will take place on FIFA.com at the end of November. The ten best goals of the year, as selected by the FIFA Football Committee, will be available to view online and users will then be able to make their choice.
Something to look forward to then. In the meantime, what has been the ‘finest’ goal of 2009? Tell us below…
Democracy is a fragile thing. On the one hand, giving the people a say on who runs their affairs, often leads to a greater engagement with public affairs, and greater scrutiny of the legislature. On the other, it gives free rein to all sorts of maniacs, who can simply respond, “I was chosen by my people,” at the first hint of any criticism. And so to Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter, elected man of football. Kind of.
Lest we forget, the Observer newspaper reported back in 1998, how bundles of cash replaced the traditional manifesto as Blatter’s electoral weapon back in 1998. In 2002, the head of the Somalian Football Association revealed how he was offered £100,000 to vote Blatter in that year’s poll. Three years ago, Sepp was conveniently elected unopposed.
So to celebrate another imminent triumph of FIFA democracy, after the jump are four of Joseph Blatter’s finest moments, one for each year he wishes to be re-elected for.
FIFA are killing football, says Giovanni Trapattoni
[Goal.com]
Arsenal track a pair of Bari defenders
[Daily Mail]
There is plenty more to life if I’m not picked in the England squad,” says Michael Owen, who is desperately trying to get into the England squad
[The Mirror]
Are Manchester Utd looking to sign Inter’s Maicon?
[Betfair Football]
Jack Warner suggests tough measures for World Cup cheats
After deciding that UEFA’s technique of banning players and subsequently letting them off the hook was not an effective method of deterring diving, FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has suggested a rugby-style ’sin bin’ is a distinct possibility for the 2010 World Cup:
“[Often] a guy fakes an injury, and he acts as if it’s the end of the world, and then after you give him the foul he then flies up and kicks the ball.
“That guy should be sent off, and he should be sent off for five minutes.”
A five-minute sin bin would certainly be a strong deterrent for players thinking of hitting the deck, particularly if it was coupled with a yellow card (thus preventing the prospect of multiple sin bin visits from a single player). However, without the assistance of video replays to prove simulation, temporary incarceration could put even more pressure on referees who may be accused of incorrectly using their powers.
So, are you pro-sin bin, or is this just more unwanted tampering from football’s governing body? Let us know below…
Is a two-window transfer ban disproportionate to the Blues’ crime?
Chelsea have said that they will “mount the strongest appeal possible” against FIFA’s decision to ban the club from transfer activity until January 2011. Evidently, they feel that the punishment does not fit the crime of coercing French teenager Gael Kakuta into breaching his contract.
Most newspapers seem to be revelling in the ruling (”JUSTICE AT LAST”, declare The Sun) reasoning that Chelsea are finally receiving comeuppance for years of tapping up and dodgy transfer dealings.
On the other hand, it can also be argued that they are being made an example of by football’s governing body. Much like Eduardo, they find themselves singled out for a problem that is apparently rife in the beautiful game.
We won’t be surprised in the least if Chelsea have their punishment reduced (Roma and Swiss side Sion have had similar transfer bans imposed on them in recent years, and had them reduced and frozen respectively), but as things stand, is the punishment too harsh? Let us know your thoughts below…
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Chelsea won’t be able to register any new players in the next two transfer windows as UEFA have found them guilty of inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens.
The 18-year-old winger joined Chelsea in 2007, and was the youth team top scorer and academy player of the year in 2007/08. He has been held “jointly and severally liable” in this case.
The French club had lodged a claim with FIFA seeking compensation for breach of contract from the player and requesting also sporting sanctions to be imposed on the player and the English club for breach of contract and inducement to breach of contract respectively.
The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such a breach.
Croat-Brazilian has outraged Scotland with his naughty play acting
Since the days of watching David Ginola throw himself around the pitch as if he only possessed limited command of his limbs, The Spoiler has held a disgust diving, and those who think they can get away with it.
Hence, we weren’t overly pleased last night to see Eduardo’s successful attempt at cheating Arsenal into a lead; something that changed a game in which Celtic were enjoying a reasonable amount of possession and control.
It seems that Celtic were equally displeased, with Massimo Donati calling for a two match ban following the simulation antics. SFA head honcho Gordon Smith has also waded into the argument, suggesting the Arsenal star should be punished:
‘[…] Last night [Eduardo] showed disrespect to the game by his actions in winning a penalty against Celtic.
‘Since I came into this post, I have raised the issue of simulation time and time again - both here in Scotland and with FIFA and UEFA.
‘I don’t think that I have received enough support in my efforts to eradicate what I believe to be one of the most serious threats to the integrity of football. Last night showed exactly why we must take this issue seriously.
The SFA have set a precedent for banning players for play acting in the case of former Hearts forward Saulius Mikoliunas, who missed two matches after he feigned being headbutted by an Aberdeen player in May.
So, should Eduardo be punished, or should we accept that diving is part of the modern game? Votes below, please…
Today’s links come sprinkled with a generous helping of classic Weezer. The first person to identify the football kit in the video wins the prestigious ‘Incredibly Easy Competition’ competition
FIFA demand a gender test for Fernando Torres
[NewsArse]
Luis Figo really ought to leave the chest wax alone for a little while
[Kickette]
Professor Wenger is ready for Old Trafford
[Sky Sports]
Glenn Hoddle says David Beckham would ‘thrive at Chelsea’
[The Telegraph]
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