The Football Thread

[hattertim]

Never mind the FIFA bobbins...anyone watching the Europa League final? Cracking game!

[victor meldrew]

If you can get hold of a copy of Foul an excellent read and no love lost between the author Andrew Jennings and septic tank.

Good to see you back RD, sad your lot were relegated, but it could have been worse, suffering BFS and disguising 4-5-1 week in week out and boring everyone to death.

[themidlander]

The onus is now on UEFA to agree to pull out of the FIFA meeting, which would deprive the organisation of any legitimacy. If that doesn't happen then the big five European Leagues and possibly the Russians, should talk to the satellite broadcasters with a view to going it alone, can't say I'd mourn the demise of international football, the Champions League is so much better.

[Road Dogg]

Thanks mate, glad you're still around, looking to visit Hammers next season before they leave Upton Park. Been visiting lots of diffferent grounds this season, nearly took in 50 matches, looking to better that next season on my non-league travels etc.

I am now an unashamedly ground hopper, no plastic bags in tow nor do I don a dirty anorak. Might post some visits on here to highlight grass roots, getting more enjoyment out of this and thoroughly enjoying my travels.

Best to you and your family Victor

[Road Dogg]

Might as well chuck this in, my last match. Might start uploading my visits around the UK and Europe.

Bedworth Utd 2 - 0 Barton Rovers
04.05.2015
Evo-Stik Southern League Div 1 Central Play Off Final
As I now divide my time between home and Wife in Leics we took in the Play off Final between Bedworth and Barton Rovers. Bedworth promoted to the Southern Premier, deservedly so.

[Roger Allott]

Originally Posted by themidlander

The onus is now on UEFA to agree to pull out of the FIFA meeting, which would deprive the organisation of any legitimacy. If that doesn't happen then the big five European Leagues and possibly the Russians, should talk to the satellite broadcasters with a view to going it alone, can't say I'd mourn the demise of international football, the Champions League is so much better.

There's no way on earth that the Russians would walk away from Blatter or FIFA. They're big supporters of Blatter. Putin has come out today with a scathing attack on the USA.

"It looks very strange, the arrests are carried out on the request of the USA side - it's got nothing to do with the USA," he told Russian state television. "It's another clear attempt by the USA to spread its jurisdiction to other states. And I have no doubt - it's a clear attempt not to allow Mr Blatter to be re-elected as president of FIFA."

I'd also question the loyalties of the German FA. Remember a chappie named Charles Dempsey? He was the guy who had the vote for Oceania in the decision to award the 2006 World Cup tournament. He abstained, which gave the decision to Germany over South Africa. The reason he gave for not voting was that he was sick of the bribes he was being offered by the rival associations.

Here's a picture of Dempsey with Blatter in Samoa. Yes, those garlands they're wearing really are made of banknotes!!



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[westernlover47]

The thing that strikes me more than anything that Blatter feels he is a law unto himself and untouchable. The Justice Department has stated he is their main target but I would think they would leave his arrest as a coup for the Swiss authorities
FIFA is finished IMO as being the world body of football
The problem UEFA has is getting other alliances and there are many countries who probably see UEFA also as not being fit to run world football. for UEFA to have clout in the election or to pull out of FIFA it has find enough allies in other countries or Confederations (which seems unlikely to happen) before even walking away from FIFA.
And IMO the FIFA World Cup is also tarnished to the point where the holders of that trophy could not be classed as true world champions
The sooner the FBI or the Swiss authorities pick up Mr Blatter the better

[djangoed]

If UEFA had the balls to boycott the world cup if Blatter is reelected, it would make the competition meaningless. The corporate sponsors also have much influence, it being where FIFA gets most of it's money, they don't like bad publicity and pressure could be applied to them.

On a side note, I have just been reminded of this film. I mean, what on earth was Tim Roth thinking (and Sam Neil for that matter)? It does make you wonder about him. Gerard Depardieu is there, but then again he is a nutter.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/film...P=share_btn_tw

[victor meldrew]

Make no mistake Blatter will be re-elected tomorrow as with previous elections he has tied down the Confederations he needs to get the 105 votes required to remain president.

We know why Putin is slating the Americans, but is he supporting Blatter because money changed hands so Russia nabbed 2018 and its not the Americans he should be worrying about as it is the Swiss who are investigating the awarding of 2018 & 2022 World cups.

FIFA started going down hill in 1974 when Havelange was elected and by the time Blatter took over in 1998, corruption took a massive forward step, even the collapse of ISL did little to stem the tide as Havelange and his son Ricard Teixeira, had received large sums of money for World cup TV rights and other lucrative deals. They were never prosecuted as legal litigation saw them repay some of the money as many of the bribes were more than ten years old and beyond the scope of the statute of limitations. Blatter actually knew about the bribes and stated the money did not need to be repaid. Ironically Blatter vowed to have Havalange's honorary presidency of FIFA removed, weather he ever did I don't actually know.

[Meini Hirion]

Sign up now.....


https://secure.avaaz.org/en/fifa_blattner_en_loc/?sm

24 hours to kick out Blatter