FIFA examines evidence of international football naughtiness
This week, FIFA president Sepp Blatter took a break from being ridiculous to respond to allegations that an Asian gambling syndicate affected the outcome of several games in the 2006 World Cup finals. Following the findings of journalist Declan Hill in his book The Fix, the German version of Bild reports that the Swiss oaf is on the case:
“FIFA are actively trying to bring clarity to the situation.”
Blatter also promised to examine Ghana’s 3-0 loss to Brazil in World Cup 2006, one of the games said to have been fixed by the Asian mafia. Bild recently spoke to Ghanaian goalkeeper Abukari Damba, who is accused
Is the deadline a help or hindrance to British football?
In their typically understated manner, Sky Sports News claimed one of today’s transfer stories to be the ‘story of the decade’. Granted, a Bulgarian signing for a new Arabian club is a big deal, but the transfer deadline day rarely delivers the excitement it promises, and it can be detrimental to many clubs, particularly those in the lower leagues. Peterborough wideboy Barry Fry says:
“To me the inability to sell one of your assets is a restraint of trade. I think it is a disgrace.”
If a club is struggling to make ends meet, selling a player is an obvious method of raising capital: having to wait until January 1st to shift an asset could prove critical in such a situation.
Steve Coppell has also criticised the system, arguing that it breeds panic and encourages “scurrilous” transfer activity.
So, should FIFA take heed of the criticism, or keep the transfer window system that helped Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen find their current employers?
As you have been wondering how Rio Ferdinand found it appropriate to name both his children after an obscure actor, The Spoiler has been looking for the headlines that will grace the newspapers tomorrow. Looks like it’s going to be a slow news day… Stephen Appiah one step closer to the Premiership
The former Juventus midfielder has confirmed that he is finally fed up at Fenerbahce, and is hoping to terminate his contract with the Turkish club. West Ham and Portsmouth have long been trying to lure the Ghana international to England and will be delighted to hear that Appiah is on the lookout for a new club. The 27 year old may be the perfect addition to West Ham’s lightweight midfield, but the cash strapped club are likely to be reluctant to meet his wage demands, rumoured to be in the region of £70,000 a week.
Mutu to appeal against fine
Sexy druggie Adrian Mutu is set to launch an appeal against his massive £13.5 million fine, to be paid to former employers Chelsea. Boasting a newfound sense of morality, Mutu referred to his punishment as “inhumane” and “unjust”, and has vowed to fight against FIFA insistence that he pays Lampard’s wages for a few months.
Swiss man who should really stop talking speaks out again
FIFA head honcho and Real Madrid fan Sepp Blatter was lambasted for expressing sympathy for Ronaldo and equating modern footballers to slaves. Now, he has completely denied these comments. Well, technically he hasn’t denied them, he just kind of put a new twist on them:
“I have never said that Ronaldo is a slave.
“But I said slavery with young people. European clubs are trying to get 13, 14 and 15-year-old boys and bring them to the big clubs.
“I have never mentioned that for Ronaldo. But the press, they have distorted it.
“Ronaldo is not a slave.”
Also, Blatter last month said: ”I think in football there’s too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere. We are trying now to intervene in such cases.” Now, he has changed his mind and insists that FIFA “will not intervene” with the Cristiano Ronaldo saga.
It’s clear that someone should be devoting less time to press conferences and more time to retirement plans.
Three years ago this month, London gained the right to hold the 30th Olympiad in 2012 at an IOC meeting in Singapore. Lord Coe was supported in his bid by Tony Blair and a galaxy of Olympic stars, yet the most significant ambassador present at the historic vote was David Beckham, a man who plays a sport that Great Britain have not competed in since 1972.
This morning, British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan pledged to revive the GB football team in 2012, with a little help from a certain Scottish manager:
Despite the heavy resistance against the idea from the other Home Nations, particularly from the Scottish Football Association, and complex political questions raised by world governing body Fifa, Lord Moynihan insisted Great Britain will going for gold in football at the 2012 Games.
London 2012 Organising Committee chairman Lord Coe has revealed an approach has already been made to have the Manchester United manager in charge, who in four years time is likely to have stepped down from his Old Trafford post, one which Lord Moynihan has guaranteed his full support.
He said: “Seb Coe has strong views about who should be managing the men’s team and I completely agree with him.
“It is an excellent idea that should be pursued and I am endorsing Sir Alex Ferguson, although I should also say that should the FA find anyone with a comparable name, I should be equally delighted.”
FIFA nonsense peddler Sepp Blatter has already spouted some vague moronic comments about a GB team consisting only of English players, while secretary of state for culture, media and sport Andy Burnham says the GB team should be reformed only ‘if the public would enjoy it’.
In the spirit of Mr Burnham’s comments, we ask you, Spoiler readers, if you would like to see a GB Team at the 2012 games? Bear in mind we entered a side at London 1948 and came fourth (although the winning Swedish team was coached by English gent George Raynor), and the GB team would not affect the Premier League season as the Games close on August 12.
Does the Swiss looney really believe anything he has even said though or is there a secret agenda behind every ridiculous word he utters? After all it’s clear the powers-that-be have a problem with English teams dominating Europe, and that Ronaldo joining Real Madrid would appease them as it would weaken the Champions League holders.
Less than six months ago, Blatter hit out at the Court of Arbitration in Sport’s decision to lower the compensation Andy Webster would have
FIFA President claims players suffer from “modern slavery”
With the transfer rumours getting a tad repetitive, we were hoping that Sepp Blatter would make one of his trademark stupid comments to provide some mild entertainment. Thankfully he has managed to surpass all expectations with his latest foot-in-mouth moment, surmising that transfer saga regulars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Emmanuel Adebayor, rather than the public who have to endure their summer-long ‘ordeals’, are victims:
“I’m always in favour of protecting the player and if the player wants to leave let him leave. If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it’s not good for the player and for the club.
“I think in football there’s too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere. We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contracts in order to keep the players and then if he wants to leave, then there is only one solution, he has to pay his contract.”
Fair enough, there is some merit in this argument. Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim, for example, have joined a club believing they will receive first-team opportunities, only for the manager who signed them to be replaced by someone who isn’t aware they exist.
Yet we fail to see how this applies to players who were signed by their current manager and are fundamental to their team like Cristiano Ronaldo and Emmanuel Adebayor. The former committed to a five-year contract last April, so why does Blatter feel he can now renege on that agreement? He says players should be allowed to leave if they do not “feel comfortable”, but it’s difficult
FIFA boss claims foreigners in the Prem have harmed the national side
Sepp Blatter - a man whose comments are always informative, cutting edge and universally welcomed among the football community - has claimed the influx of foreign players in the Premier League has weakened the English national side:
“In the strong Premier League teams the best players are not always English.
“These teams are preparing national players for England’s opponents.
During a congress held at the home of football, Sydney, Australia, FIFA delegates have overwhelmingly voted in favour of Sepp Blatter’s ‘six-plus-five’ plan, which would could limit the amount of foreign players in a team to five. The BBC sez:
Blatter wants to restrict the number of foreign players in teams by the start in the 2010/11 season, with a minimum of four home-grown players.
He added he expects it to grow to six, with a maximum of five foreigners, by 2012/13 - and claims the plan has the backing of key European delegates.
In contrast, the “home-grown players” rule, which is set to be expanded from next season, has received EU backing. That means four players in a Champions League or Uefa Cup squad must have been developed by the club, with another four having been produced by clubs from the same federation.
The rule is discriminatory and contradicts European law, and seems to be going down about as well as Blatter’s suggestion that women footballers should wear tighter shorts. But what do you think? Would a shake-up like this be good for the game? Would it encourage the big teams to invest more in their youth training structures? Votes and comments below, please.
