World Cup and European leagues

[Hoosier Titan]

I think the wisest statement, overall, is that the EPL is down quite a bit this year.  Amazing that Liverpool are only 3 points off qualifying for Europe and 9 points off the lead after their wretched start to the season.  Chelsea have looked awful, City have been on the verge of firing Mancini after a string of poor results (and that may still happen), and Arsenal have given away points.  This could easily go to the last day.

Scots, I didn't see your earlier post about Liverpool until a day or two ago.  I generally have no use for Man U either, and I expect no quarter on the pitch (nor will it be given!).  But no team should have to endure the off-pitch shenanigans of bloodsucking "owners" who borrowed money to buy the team and then loaded the debt back onto it.  Hopefully the 'pool are clear now.  I sincerely hope that Man U does not have to go through the same courtroom drama, but how their situation will resolve is far from clear.

Here's a very nice short piece in defense of Liverpool fans.  I think it speaks to all of us (including everyone here, I'm sure) who take pride in our teams (college as well as professional).  We don't expect titles every year, but we do expect a certain level of play, and a certain level of behavior and expectation from players, coaches, and "owners." 

http://postmatchpint.com/2010/11/21/in-defence-of-liverpool-and-their-fans/

Re:  Rafa at Inter.  It was a bad match from the start, just as Hodgson was at Liverpool.  So, Inter are unhappy with Rafa and want Mourinho back.  Liverpool supporters are unhappy with Roy and would like Rafa back.  Fulham supporters are unhappy with Mark Hughes and would like Roy back.  If only Real Madrid wanted Mark Hughes we could all be happy!

[ScotsFan]

Re:  Rafa at Inter.  It was a bad match from the start, just as Hodgson was at Liverpool.  So, Inter are unhappy with Rafa and want Mourinho back.  Liverpool supporters are unhappy with Roy and would like Rafa back.  Fulham supporters are unhappy with Mark Hughes and would like Roy back.  If only Real Madrid wanted Mark Hughes we could all be happy!

Nice!   

[ScotsFan]

There were no back door deals going on to get Russia and Qatar the winning bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups at all...    Riiiiiiiiiight?!  FIFA, and more specifically Seth Blatter disgust me right about now?!    

[ECSUalum]

There were no back door deals going on to get Russia and Qatar the winning bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups at all...    Riiiiiiiiiight?!  FIFA, and more specifically Seth Blatter disgust me right about now?!    

Scots,  Totally agree, what a joke of an organization.  Have you been on the FIFA web site?  All comments are screened and rejected if unflattering to this sad excuse for an organization.  Where did they dig Seth Bla(bb)er up from?

[ScotsFan]

Scots,  Totally agree, what a joke of an organization.  Have you been on the FIFA web site?  All comments are screened and rejected if unflattering to this sad excuse for an organization.  Where did they dig Seth Bla(bb)er up from?

Apparently Qatar is going to build all new stadiums and then tear them down and re-build them in struggling countries all at Qatar's expense.  As Eric Wynalda said on FSC's coverage of the announcement, I guess we will see who voted for Qatar starting in 2023 when we find out where these stadiums are going??? 

I mean, the US was the ONLY country to grade out at 100% after taking in all considerations!  We could host the freaking World Cup TOMORROW if needed!  And so could freaking England whom I also have to believe graded out pretty high!

Sorry, but you will have a hard time making me believe there wasn't some serious corruption and/or collusion going on for the voting to give us the outcome of Russia and Qatar?!   

[Hoosier Titan]

And, the World Cup is awarded to ...countries with oil money, and countries with oil money.  Awarding two at once seemed like a way to guarantee collusion and it looks like that's what happened.  Only two votes for England.  Sheesh.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Grant Wahl's take on it:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/grant_wahl/12/02/3thoughts.wcbid/index.html?eref=sihp

I would have to take issue with his headline.  Questions?!   This may be the first article I've ever seen that used 'intergrity' and 'FIFA' in the same sentence (unless the words 'lack of' also appeared).

There was a spirited debate earlier today on the E8 football board; one issue was whether FIFA or the IOC is the more corrupt.

[Gray Fox]

The world gets Qatar.  The USA gets Air Qatar.

[ScotsFan]

There was a spirited debate earlier today on the E8 football board; one issue was whether FIFA or the IOC is the more corrupt.

I think you could add the NCAA to that debate as well.     Well, maybe not in the corrupt argument, but certainly a debate about which organization is most inept!   

[Mr. Ypsi]

There was a spirited debate earlier today on the E8 football board; one issue was whether FIFA or the IOC is the more corrupt.

I think you could add the NCAA to that debate as well.     Well, maybe not in the corrupt argument, but certainly a debate about which organization is most inept!   

Yeah, that is the crucial distinction.  NCAA is utterly inept, but not (so far as I know) corrupt.  FIFA and IOC are proven to be both inept AND utterly corrupt.

[Hoosier Titan]

Here's the take of Nate Silver, of fivethirtyeight.com, in the New York Times:

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/qatar-a-questionable-world-cup-host/

[Ralph Turner]

The world gets Qatar.  The USA gets Air Qatar.

This is a victory for diversity.  This will be the first World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East and in a Islamic country!

[Mr. Ypsi]

The world gets Qatar.  The USA gets Air Qatar.

This is a victory for diversity.  This will be the first World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East and in a Islamic country!

Ralph, I sort of agree.  BUT ... if a Qatari visited Texas in June, they'd wear a jacket!

Unless Qatar really can air condition outdoor stadia with no roofs, there WILL be deaths (either players or spectators).

[sac]

So I'm guessing if your a manager who's say...struggling a little bit and you need a good deep run in the FA Cup to appease the masses.......the last thing you want to see is a road trip to Man Utd on the schedule in the 3rd round.

[Hoosier Titan]

The world gets Qatar.  The USA gets Air Qatar.

This is a victory for diversity.  This will be the first World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East and in a Islamic country!

Ralph, I sort of agree.  BUT ... if a Qatari visited Texas in June, they'd wear a jacket!

Unless Qatar really can air condition outdoor stadia with no roofs, there WILL be deaths (either players or spectators).

And the stadia will be built by laborers without the benefit of air-conditioning.