The word from today’s Mirror is that FIFA have decided to put the kibosh on any further experimentation with goal-line technology, much to the sheer fury of Premier League managers.
Sepp Blatter has long advocated the idea that “people thrive on controversy”, so there’s no need, but many will argue - and are arguing - that “fairness” is the name of the game here. It would prevent bad decisions being made.
Of course, this one tends to split the consensus, with one side convinced that it would kill the flow of the game, whilst others will point towards rugby and cricket and suggest that it can actually add a little extra spice/tension to a big match.
But what do YOU think? Let us know with a vote and a comment.
Plus, some back-patting for this little chap… presumably
Like a spotty teenage asthmatic wearing his dad’s suit, standing outside a nightclub in the rain, literally begging the bouncers to let him in even though he has no proof of identification, the Irish FA have apparently been pleading with Sepp Blatter to please let them be in the World Cup. Please. Like most bouncers, Blatter’s answer appears to be a rather firm “no, sod off”.
“Naturally they were unhappy with what happened and asked very humbly whether they could be team number 33.”
Tomorrow should see Lionel Messi snagging the Ballon d’Or, beating off stiff competition from the shortlist of ten, which includes: Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andres Iniesta, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Xavi. The last two Englishmen to win the thing were Michael Owen and Kevin Keegs.
In the zany world of transfers, Ancelotti has left everyone gagging for breath, after declaring something about how he won’t be signing anyone in January, even with the window soon to slam down on quivvering Chelsea fingers.
And club rebels Nani and Babel have been blessed/cursed with rather mixed fortunes, with Sir Alex Ferguson insistent that he won’t be letting Nani leave - despite some suggestive coughing from Milan and Benfica. Whilst Ryan Babel - currently the recipient of the Benitez silent treatment - isn’t wanted by the men in shorts at Bayern Munich.
Does a spell in lonely exile await the gobby Dutchman?
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.
Romanian still struggling to pay ridiculous £14.6m fine
Adrian Mutu was sacked by Chelsea in 2004 on account of his cocaine abuse, and was given a seven month ban and a £20,000 fine by the FA. When he signed for Juventus (via Livorno) as a free agent during this mandatory exile period, the Blues demanded £9.6m from the player to compensate for the initial transfer fee.
Mutu soon regretted hiring a lawyer he saw running down the street after an ambulance, as the fine was increased to £14.6m after two appeals to the very same Court of Arbitration for Sport who recently banned Chelsea from transfer activity.
Some might say that the transfer ban helped to restore karmic balance following Chelsea’s lack of compassion towards the Romanian, but the point remains that £14.6m is a penalty that only a handful of footballers could realistically afford to pay. In his latest bid to avoid the angry Russian debt collectors, Mutu has written an open letter to FIFA and his former employers. Sky Sport Italia printed the highlights, which Goal.com roughly translated:
“To Chelsea, the FIFA disciplinary committee and FIFA president Josep Blatter
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