The Association Football Thread

#5,404
#5,404
LOL. Just saw on the crawl on ESPN that Sepp Blatter is now campaigning to move the 2022 WC to the winter because it's too hot during the summer in the Middle East. Did the news that it's hot as hell in Qatar during the WC months just now reach these morons? Funny how bribe money can make even the highest ranking officials both forego research and take complete leave of their common sense. This is going to be such a catastrophe. Either they have to play the damn thing in the 120 degree heat, or they have to completely stomp all over the European (and world) soccer schedule that year. Way to go guys.

Here's the link just in case anybody wants to read it...

FIFA President Sepp Blatter plans to ask to move 2022 World Cup in Qatar to winter | Fox News
 
#5,405
#5,405
Also, he says a big reason has nothing to do with the actual players, but the fact that it's going to be too hot for the "party" associated with the whole event. I don't really know how much of a party it's going to be in a country that has exactly TWO liquor stores, and every person must jump through the following hoop to even obtain a permit to purchase alcohol...
To obtain an alcohol permit you need a letter from your employer written in English. (An Arabic letter accompanied by a stamped translation is usually also acceptable). This must be signed and stamped by an authorised person in your company and be addressed to the Qatar Distribution Company. It must state the applicant's position, basic salary (must be above 4000 riyals or 1100 dollars, and the letter must use the word basic), state if an accommodation entitlement is received or if the applicant receives free accommodation and whether the applicant is married. It does not usually have to state that the applicant has permission for an alcohol permit.
The applicant must also provide their ID/passport and residence permit (photocopies are acceptable) and a 1000 riyal (275 dollar) returnable deposit. You also have to complete an application form, and state your religion.
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Also, there is this...

There are strict laws concerning alcohol. After alcohol has been bought it should be concealed from view in the car. The alcohol should be transported home directly. Alcohol may only be drunk at home or in a licenced bar or restaurant. You may not sell or give away alcohol, or drink while inebriated. It is illegal to be drunk in a public place.
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Are people really going to be willing to go through all that? Again, this whole thing is just going to be a disaster.
 
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#5,406
#5,406
Need help from you guys in picking a team.
So I would like to know how you chose a team to support?
 
#5,407
#5,407
England or Europe?

I support Tottenham Hotspur in the old country, and I also like Barcelona quite a lot. Spurs because my brother has always pulled for them, and got me into it. Plusses: located in London, perennial underdogs, a great history of characters (Robbie Keane, Martin Jol and Harry Redknapp especially). Recently, the emergence of Gareth Bale and the addition of Clint Dempsey (though he could be on the move). Double plusses: home shirt has traditionally been a clean white shirt with a collar, which looks great (though they're ditching that this year, hopefully it comes back) and half of one of the two most heated rivalries in English football, the other half being Arsenal (only other one on the level is Newcastle v. Sunderland).

My support for Barcelona stems from a cultural affinity for Spanish civil war-era Republicanism when I read Orwell's Homage to Catalonia as a teenager. The club was a major symbol at the time, and still symbolizes Catalan independence (hence the yellow and red in the club's crest and on the second choice kits). Sports-wise, the list of great players to don the blaugrana is endless. Messi, Maradona, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Romario, Puyol, Eto'o, Iniesta, Cruyff, etc. Their talent development system is widely considered to be among the best in the world for any sport.
 
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#5,410
#5,410
milohimself said:
England or Europe?

I support Tottenham Hotspur in the old country, and I also like Barcelona quite a lot. Spurs because my brother has always pulled for them, and got me into it. Plusses: located in London, perennial underdogs, a great history of characters (Robbie Keane, Martin Jol and Harry Redknapp especially). Recently, the emergence of Gareth Bale and the addition of Clint Dempsey (though he could be on the move). Double plusses: home shirt has traditionally been a clean white shirt with a collar, which looks great (though they're ditching that this year, hopefully it comes back) and half of one of the two most heated rivalries in English football, the other half being Arsenal (only other one on the level is Newcastle v. Sunderland).

My support for Barcelona stems from a cultural affinity for Spanish civil war-era Republicanism when I read Orwell's Homage to Catalonia as a teenager. The club was a major symbol at the time, and still symbolizes Catalan independence (hence the yellow and red in the club's crest and on the second choice kits). Sports-wise, the list of great players to don the blaugrana is endless. Messi, Maradona, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Romario, Puyol, Eto'o, Iniesta, Cruyff, etc. Their talent development system is widely considered to be among the best in the world for any sport.
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Very informative post. Thank you.
 
#5,414
#5,414
milohimself said:
L'arse fans will start jumping off bridges and wind up fourth at the end of the season anyway

Maybe not this year.
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Who's going to step up and really challenge them for 4th? I know Liverpool and Everton certainly aren't on that level now, and Spurs are likely in for a significant dropoff if/when Bale exits. I think Arsenal fans should feel pretty comfortable that they'll qualify for CL again.
 
#5,418
#5,418
So, Real Madrid have put in an enormous offer to Spurs for Gareth Bale, and Bale is apparently furious that Spurs are wanting more money in exchange for him. I know he wants to participate in CL, but if would just stick it out at Tottenham through this year, I think they can very likely qualify for next season.

On the side of the coin, good for Spurs for trying to hold out for more money. If you're going to sell off your meal ticket and destroy any chance you have if competing at the top level of the EPL, you may as well get as much money as you can. Or possibly (although very unlikely) they're really just more interested in winning than cashing out right now. Qualifying for CL would be very lucrative, and without Bale I doubt Spurs even have a real shot at getting into Europa League this year.
 
#5,420
#5,420
milohimself said:
Levy needs to accept the bid if it's actually there.
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I don't really see it that way. Bale was probably the most in-form player in the world last year, so no amount if money will be able to get a comparable player. Losing Bale will result in a massive dropoff for Spurs this season and with Arsenal looking at a dropoff as well, it would be a shame if they blew their window to get into CL.
 
#5,421
#5,421
And what if bale becomes unsettled knowing he could have gone to a club like Real Madrid? Same thing happened to modric a couple years ago, where he had a sub par season before going anyway. Best case scenario is bale going before spurs make the CL if/when it happens because he's got two years left on his current deal.

If €100m is on the table, levy has to take it.
 
#5,423
#5,423
milohimself said:
And what if bale becomes unsettled knowing he could have gone to a club like Real Madrid? Same thing happened to modric a couple years ago, where he had a sub par season before going anyway. Best case scenario is bale going before spurs make the CL if/when it happens because he's got two years left on his current deal.

If €100m is on the table, levy has to take it.
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If he spends the season pouting because he didn't get the transfer he wanted, he likely won't have the season he had last year, but I'd still make the old "50% of something is better than 100% of nothing" argument. It would likely diminish his transfer value, but it would also afford them a reasonable opportunity to qualify for CL which would also be a nice financial haul for the club. Without him, I don't think they have a prayer. I can easily see both sides, but I personally would like them go the route that has them trying to compete at the highest level as opposed to simply cashing in on an elite player, results on the field be damned.
 
#5,424
#5,424
Something else has to be going on with that. I have a hard time believing there's really a $125mil cash offer on the table. There's speculation out there that it's Di Maria and Coentrao with $57m on top. I don't think those two players bridge the other $68m in that gap, even if they're high level targets for the club. I still think Luis Suarez is the likely signing for Real Madrid; he'd fit better into their current lineup and could readily fill the boots left by Higuain.
 
#5,425
#5,425
bleedorange0037 said:
If he spends the season pouting because he didn't get the transfer he wanted, he likely won't have the season he had last year, but I'd still make the old "50% of something is better than 100% of nothing" argument. It would likely diminish his transfer value, but it would also afford them a reasonable opportunity to qualify for CL which would also be a nice financial haul for the club. Without him, I don't think they have a prayer. I can easily see both sides, but I personally would like them go the route that has them trying to compete at the highest level as opposed to simply cashing in on an elite player, results on the field be damned.
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Earlier you stated that Bale was the most in-form player in the world last season, and now you are saying they would have a chance to make the CL with Bale giving 50% effort. If they couldn't beat out a weaker Arsenal squad last season with him being as good as you say; how could they ever top them this season? Wilshere is fully fit to start the season, not half way through, and they haven't even added to the squad yet. Plus, you have Poldi, Santi, and Giroud all playing their second season in the PL. Then, throw in the possibility of Suarez playing for Arsenal. Tottenham can go ahead and prepare for a battle for the EL because they don't have a chance at top 4.
 
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