World Cup and European leagues

[Greek Tragedy]

There has been talk of CRon being unwelcome back in Chelsea due to that incident

Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Manchester United...is that what you mean?

I have seen the replay of Rooney stomping on the Portugese player a billion times.  There isn't any doubt in my mind that Rooney deserved the red card.

Ronaldo looking like he's lobbying for a red card isn't anything new.  You see players doing it all the time.  In fact, a player gets fouled and while he's rolling around on the ground, he's raising his hand "showing an imaginary card"...you know what I mean. 

As for Ronaldo winking...so what.  I think the English press has blown it out of proportion just so they have someone else to blame besides Rooney himself.

A great article in yesterday's USA Today about political prisoners in South Africa playing organized soccer and running their own prison league.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I do not see Spain as bad as divers as Portugal and Italy.

I qualified that statement with what I've seen from this Cup.  The spanish group games were just horrible on the diving front.  What's worse is that they were going to win them all whether they dove or not.  It's odd that they decided to play more sportsmanlike once they got to the knockouts.

Rooney certainly deserved the card for what he did, however, the ref didn't see it.  As Eric Wynalda said (somehow removing his lips from his own rear end), the ref had signalled foul, nothing more, no card, just a foul.  Rooney started swearing at him, which is was Rooney does best.  He made a great effort against three defenders and was frustrated he didn't come out of it.  Not excusing Rooney, he made the foul, he lost his temper, its his fault.

What everyone is mad at C Ron for is coming over and baiting Rooney.  Granted, if Rooney could control himself it wouldn't work, but these guys are teammates 90% of the year and the same age; I'm sure they know each other pretty well.  Christiano Ronaldo knew exactly what he was doing as he ran in to protest.  He was baiting Rooney and it worked, Rooney pushed him and then lit into the ref even more; the combination of the two got the card.

The ref is not going to move from a foul to a red card just because the notoriously dishonourable CRon told him the play deserved one.  No referee would do that.  He was forced to pull the card because of Rooney's actions.  It's the fact that Christiano Ronaldo baited him and knew what he was doing, coupled with all the diving that have made him a villian.

He's not going back to ManU; he's been asking for a move to Real for weeks.  I'm sure it happens now.

[David Collinge]

Not everyone is mad at Ronaldo.  I think Rooney richly deserved the red card, and deserves to be heavily fined and suspended.  If he tried something like that in baseball, he'd be out 50 games.  If the ref missed the play (as it appears he did) and Ronaldo had any role to play in getting Rooney ejected, I say bravo! to Ronaldo.  I think of it more or less as a citizen's arrest, and I am not interested in Ronaldo's motives.  If Rooney had been allowed to continue in the game, it would have been a far worse travesty than "The Wink."

What makes it even worse is Rooney's subsequent comments long after the match was over ("I was gobsmacked"), in which he rejected responsibility and even claimed that he was the one fouled.  Of course, in the replay, Rooney has his right arm wrapped around the left thigh of the Portugese defender who he subsequently pushed to the ground.  Some foul. 

I agree with OS that the British press has made too much out of this as a way to deflect criticism towards a reasonably unlikeable Ronaldo and away from the real villain, Rooney.  What bothers me is that it appears to have worked.

[CRZK]

Third:  Germany over Portugal 2-1

First:  France 1-0  Late goal decides game.  No OT.  Wouldn't be surprised with goal in stoppage time.

[CRZK]

Two items.

One.  I am so happy not to see Portgual making to the championships.  It seems to me their entire tournament play has been cheap.  Been mentioned before about diving etc.  It would have been a big disappointment to see that type of play succeed.

Second:  I have to disagree with Ypsi on replay and not delaying the game.  Just look how long replay decisions take in the NFL.  Do agree with post game review and suspensions.  Know that the guy who smacked McBride got a 4 game suspension and Mastreoni -US-(spelling of name sucks I know) received 3 game for their fouls. 

FIFA does need to crack down on simulation next with post game review and suspensions.  If simulation results in PK then something like 5 games, outside the box then 3 or 4.

How about the Ghana player and his dive against the US for a piece of art work?

[Hoosier Titan]

Not everyone is mad at Ronaldo.  I think Rooney richly deserved the red card, and deserves to be heavily fined and suspended.  If he tried something like that in baseball, he'd be out 50 games. 

I haven't seen anyone here defending Rooney's actions.  I don't know if he'd be out 50 games in baseball, but De Rossi, the Italian player who bloodied the US's Brian McBride with a nasty elbow to the face while airborne, got off with a four-game suspension (it would have been five if he hadn't apologized).  It's hard for me to call Rooney's offense worse than that one (although they were both deplorable).  So he'll probably get no more than five games.  Interestingly, the English Football Association is supporting him; I don't know if that's pro forma or not.  FIFA has promised a ruling on Rooney, as well as two Argentines, before Sunday's match.

Fabio Capello, the coach who just escaped Juventus to go to Real Madrid, appears to be really interested in Cristiano Ronaldo.

I think Old School made a really good point about the worst danger of flopping:  it could eliminate the wonderful sportmanslike practice of the opposite team kicking the ball out of bounds to stop play when a player goes down.   This did happen in the most flop-happy (and card-happy) match of the Cup, Portugal-Holland, when Holland didn't stop play when a Portuguese man went down.  The Rooney-CRon mess didn't involve flopping, but what people are incensed with CRon about is trying to work the official (and he's a champion flopper, too). 

I think it's safe to say that neither player has made a lot of fans for his conduct during this World Cup.  It's a shame, because both are brilliantly talented.

[Josh Bowerman]

I know I'm late to the dance, but here's my take on the five best goals in the Copa Mundial this time 'round:

1.  Rodriguez from Argentina vs. Mexico.  Why?  Beautiful and clutch.  Would that we all got to score a goal like that!

2.  Henry vs. all of Brasil.  Forget the fact that the Brazillians seemed to be disinterested in defending all day long and the brilliant pass from Zidane--Henry's goal was a true one timer.  He caught it out of the air and scored all in one fluid motion.

3.    Grosso from Italy vs. the Germanators in double OT.  Just as clutch and in a bigger situation, but not as skillful, IMO, as Rodriguez.

4.  Milevskiy from Ukraine vs. Switzerland.  Swiss keeper is still looking for jock after Milevskiy faked him out and casually chipped the ball into the net. 

5.  Ronaldo vs. Ghana is the quarterfinals.  Not flashy, but historically significant.  Probably the last goal this great Brazillian striker scores in World Cup play.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Second:  I have to disagree with Ypsi on replay and not delaying the game.  Just look how long replay decisions take in the NFL.  Do agree with post game review and suspensions.  Know that the guy who smacked McBride got a 4 game suspension and Mastreoni -US-(spelling of name sucks I know) received 3 game for their fouls. 

Not the same.  In the NFL the head official ON THE FIELD goes over to check the replays - I'm talking about an off-field official with full access to the TV replays.  In most cases it should take no more than 15-20 seconds to reach a verdict (with a reversal ONLY if the ref was CLEARLY incorrect).  Goals, PKs, and red cards ALWAYS delay the game for far more than 15-20 seconds.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Not everyone is mad at Ronaldo.  I think Rooney richly deserved the red card, and deserves to be heavily fined and suspended.  If he tried something like that in baseball, he'd be out 50 games.  If the ref missed the play (as it appears he did) and Ronaldo had any role to play in getting Rooney ejected, I say bravo! to Ronaldo.  I think of it more or less as a citizen's arrest, and I am not interested in Ronaldo's motives.  If Rooney had been allowed to continue in the game, it would have been a far worse travesty than "The Wink."

What makes it even worse is Rooney's subsequent comments long after the match was over ("I was gobsmacked"), in which he rejected responsibility and even claimed that he was the one fouled.  Of course, in the replay, Rooney has his right arm wrapped around the left thigh of the Portugese defender who he subsequently pushed to the ground.  Some foul. 

I agree with OS that the British press has made too much out of this as a way to deflect criticism towards a reasonably unlikeable Ronaldo and away from the real villain, Rooney.  What bothers me is that it appears to have worked.

I totally agree with the last paragraph (though I suspect that Rooney will eventually get the full Beckham '98 treatment).

C Ronaldo has NOT been dissed here due to his 'citizen's arrest' of Rooney (just an explanation of why he is HIGHLY unlikely to ever play again for ManU ('Chelsea' was a total brain-fart, HF - sorry! ).  He has been 'dissed' because he is almost certainly THE number one diver and whiner of this Cup.  And I'm a FAN, sort of!  Incredible talent, but the emotional maturity of a 14-year-old (kind of like Rooney ).  And, trust me, I know the emotional maturity of male 14-year-olds!! )

[Hoosier Titan]

Just up on http://www.bbc.co.uk :

Rooney is suspended for two games and is fined 2400 pounds.  No more details yet.

[Greek Tragedy]

Do agree with post game review and suspensions.  Know that the guy who smacked McBride got a 4 game suspension and Mastreoni -US-(spelling of name sucks I know) received 3 game for their fouls. 

In my opinion, I hardly think Mastreoni's foul even warranted a red card...I think it was good for a yellow (if that) in any other game or World Cup, for that matter.  Another three on top of that is going a bit far.  Someone who blatantly elbows an opponent getting one more game than a guy who slide tackles from behind?  Come on.

Just up on http://www.bbc.co.uk :
Rooney is suspended for two games and is fined 2400 pounds.  No more details yet.

On On Soccernet as well.  Rooney getting TWO games for stomping on someone's groin, while another player gets FOUR for kicking someone's groin...what's this world coming to?

Leandro Cufre has been suspended for four matches and fined £4,800 for kicking German defender Per Mertesacker in the groin.

Anyway, at least there is a game today we can talk about! Oh wait a minute, Portugal is diving, I mean, playing...so maybe we'll talk more about CRon, who apparently is a member of the newly formed NathCon. 

[David Collinge]

C Ronaldo has NOT been dissed here due to his 'citizen's arrest' of Rooney [...]

Folks, I understand that the primary criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo in this room has been for his alleged diving.  Despite what some of you may think, I do actually read your posts.  However, there is a certain degree of interest in the World Cup outside D3hoops.com (), and out there my impression is that the chief objection to Ronaldo centers on "The Wink."  That's what I have been referring to.

[Hoosier Titan]

The third-place game has to be attracting more attention than usual because of all the talk about the antics of C. Ronaldo and his teammates.

David, I think the objection to C. Ron and his tactics is based on a perception of general poor sportsmanship, which includes whining and flopping more than the infamous wink.  Apparently, he lost the Fifa Young Player Award because of this perception.  The Fifa board is certainly composed of people more in the heart of world football than those of us here on d3sports, and they seem to have been bothered by his actions beyond just one wink.

[Greek Tragedy]

Since this is a soccer board, I thought I'd throw out some soccer-related movies that should be seen...and I'm not talking about Stallone's Victory!

The New York Cosmo's documentary looks interesting.  It won't be played anywhere near She-Vegas, so I'll have to wait for it to come out on DVD. 

Goal-The True Underdog Story (or whatever it's called) looks good as well.  For those of you who don't know, I guess it's about an immigrant in the US who travels to England to try out for Newcastle United. 

There is a guy who plays for newly promoted Watford who is originally from the Green Bay, WI area and played for Bay Port high school.  He didn't get any offers from MLS and decided to go over to England and play in some bar leagues, moved up to semi-professional and then got a look from Watford when his semi-pro team played a preseason game against his current employers.  They should make a movie about him!  His name is Jay DeMerit.

Lastly, one of the best soccer related movies I just recently watched was Green Street Hooligans.  Even if you aren't a soccer fan, it's good movie with solid acting all around, a nice story line and other goodies (like cool fights)...with Elijah Wood once again doing a good job of shedding Frodo from everyone's minds!

[David Collinge]

The third-place game has to be attracting more attention than usual because of all the talk about the antics of C. Ronaldo and his teammates.

David, I think the objection to C. Ron and his tactics is based on a perception of general poor sportsmanship, which includes whining and flopping more than the infamous wink.  Apparently, he lost the Fifa Young Player Award because of this perception.  The Fifa board is certainly composed of people more in the heart of world football than those of us here on d3sports, and they seem to have been bothered by his actions beyond just one wink.

By "The Wink," I mean the whole play--running up 30 yards to confront Rooney and the ref--not just the wink itself.  I guess I'm just not literal enough to make myself clear.  Yes, C. Ron has a bad reputation, and this play has not helped.  But I still maintain that the real villain on the play was Rooney, and I think it is a shame that the focus of attention (perhaps not in here, but elsewhere) has turned out to be Ronaldo's less-than-sportsmanlike actions rather than Rooney's.