Manchester City continued on their quest to constantly annoy the ‘big boys’ and their dominance today as they dispatched a poor Aston Villa side 4-0. I am sure all the pundits not used to seeing sky blue at the summit of the Premiership will look more towards it being a case of Aston Villas poor defence rather than City’s slick attack being the reason for the victory today. Credit is seldom given to the Blue side of Manchester.
In truth it was both, Villa were poor when it came to repelling the City attack and more often than not it was a stray pass from us that broke down our attack rather than decisive tackling from the Villa back line. However, you still have to score, and despite having Tevez on the bench we still scored four without reply. That deserves credit from pundits in itself, considering most of them said we could only score through Tevez.
Even when City were three or four goals up you still witnessed players tracking back and chasing to win balls. Agbonglahor was limited to two or three runs into Kompany and Downing and co were almost non participants. In fact 4-0 is somewhat of an injustice to City and I feel that if the game was not in the busy Christmas schedule of thick and fast games then maybe City would not have eased off toward the end.
Job well done by Mancinis men and despite the fact we may not be top at the end of the day, with United playing later today and Arsenal tomorrow, the fact still remains is that we are still very much in the mix, and that is going to continue to annoy and frustrate a lot of people.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Barcodes V City 1-3!!!
So it appears that City were not ‘slow starters’ against Everton in the last game but merely learning as it was City who started the brightest this go around scoring two goals in the opening five minutes. Gareth Barry opened the scoring for City on minute numero 2 before Carlos Tevez doubled the lead after five.
To say that City were then comfortable from there on in would not be swallowed by any City supporter reading this as even against Huddersfield all those years ago, we did need the tenth to secure the points!
City, as the away team, had less of the possession, less shots on goal and less shots off target than Newcastle. In fact only the foul count was higher, but with it being City it means any trip or unbalanced run resulted in a foul on a City player, meanwhile Tevez is molested in the penalty area and the referees arms wave play on like he just hasn’t seen a re-enactment of the shower scene in American History X!
But I digress, truth is Citys stats point to this, our possession doesn’t have to be much, we still create. Our attempts on target half the time today resulted in goals and our shots off target were a minimum, meaning we don’t rush and take our time, (sometimes) .
Mr Tevez, or as I like to call him, The Almighty Blue, showed again today that he will fight for our club and will continue to score goals for our club meanwhile Mr Ashley showed that he still needs two seats in the VIP section and no matter how rich you are, pies are still good. So dumb to get rid of a good manager! Good news for him is, Championship football next year……more games……more pies, it’s a win win. Oh yeah and City are second in the league. Bring on Villa!
To say that City were then comfortable from there on in would not be swallowed by any City supporter reading this as even against Huddersfield all those years ago, we did need the tenth to secure the points!
City, as the away team, had less of the possession, less shots on goal and less shots off target than Newcastle. In fact only the foul count was higher, but with it being City it means any trip or unbalanced run resulted in a foul on a City player, meanwhile Tevez is molested in the penalty area and the referees arms wave play on like he just hasn’t seen a re-enactment of the shower scene in American History X!
But I digress, truth is Citys stats point to this, our possession doesn’t have to be much, we still create. Our attempts on target half the time today resulted in goals and our shots off target were a minimum, meaning we don’t rush and take our time, (sometimes) .
Mr Tevez, or as I like to call him, The Almighty Blue, showed again today that he will fight for our club and will continue to score goals for our club meanwhile Mr Ashley showed that he still needs two seats in the VIP section and no matter how rich you are, pies are still good. So dumb to get rid of a good manager! Good news for him is, Championship football next year……more games……more pies, it’s a win win. Oh yeah and City are second in the league. Bring on Villa!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Bernstein To Be New FA Chairman
Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein has been nominated to take over from Lord Triesman as the new chairman of the Football Association. As you may remember, David spent nine years on our board of directors, five of which as chairman.
He was born in St Helens, Lancashire in 1943 and replaced Francis Lee at City in 1998 and saw us drop to the depths of Division Two before returning to Premiership. During his time at City he also who led the negotiations which saw us secure the lease for our Eastlands stadium. He left Manchester City and was replaced by John Wardle following a boardroom dispute over the transfer of Robbie Fowler.
Bernstein became chairman of Wembley Stadium in 2008 and sat on the boards of a number of public companies including French Connection, overseeing the FCUK marketing campaign. He is also the president of the National Association of Disabled Supporters.
Now he has been nominated as the new chairman of the FA. The FA Council will be asked to endorse the appointment on Jan 25th 2011.
When asked, Mr Bernstein said, ’I am honoured to be asked to take on the role as chairman of the FA’ and added ‘It is a tremendous challenge but I look forward to working with the board, the staff at the FA and everyone in football from local playing fields to Wembley and the International stage.’
It certainly is a positive appointment for the FA who have had a terrible year with the failed World Cup bid and failed World Cup performance in South Africa.
He was born in St Helens, Lancashire in 1943 and replaced Francis Lee at City in 1998 and saw us drop to the depths of Division Two before returning to Premiership. During his time at City he also who led the negotiations which saw us secure the lease for our Eastlands stadium. He left Manchester City and was replaced by John Wardle following a boardroom dispute over the transfer of Robbie Fowler.
Bernstein became chairman of Wembley Stadium in 2008 and sat on the boards of a number of public companies including French Connection, overseeing the FCUK marketing campaign. He is also the president of the National Association of Disabled Supporters.
Now he has been nominated as the new chairman of the FA. The FA Council will be asked to endorse the appointment on Jan 25th 2011.
When asked, Mr Bernstein said, ’I am honoured to be asked to take on the role as chairman of the FA’ and added ‘It is a tremendous challenge but I look forward to working with the board, the staff at the FA and everyone in football from local playing fields to Wembley and the International stage.’
It certainly is a positive appointment for the FA who have had a terrible year with the failed World Cup bid and failed World Cup performance in South Africa.
Monday, December 20, 2010
CITY 1-2 Everton
So Manchester City will not be atop the table over Christmas as many Blues had wished and possibly even expected after losing out to Everton, 2-1. City started badly and conceded after only a few minutes after the defence went to sleep allowing Cahill to net the opener. City looked far from the slick, assured passing side of previous games and this was possibly down to the fact that because of the snowfall, and under soil heating caused the pitch to be sluggish……….ok so maybe not but worth the try.
In truth City’s passing was wayward and far too many times we played loose balls and that is never a recipe for success. Pablo Zabaletta went off for treatment to a bleeding head wound and while he was away Baines scored Evertons second. Maybe Mancini should have brought on Boateng as his replacement and maybe the medical staff should have got him patched up and back on earlier. As it was, Baines exploited the space Zab was patrolling and City went into the break two down.
On a positive note Tevez had withdrawn his transfer request and as such kept the captains armband and it was business as usual for our pitbull captain. City looked better in the second half and pulled a goal back through an own goal but that as to be the end of the scoring, despite Everton being put down to ten men following two yellow cards for Anichebe.
City dominated the possession stats and had at least one legitimate hand ball penalty decision turned down. With our recent results against Everton it was hardly surprising that this would be the case though. As for not being top over Christmas, it would have been nice with it being the first time its happened since 1929 but it also shows just how far City have come for this to even be a possibility. Keep the faith City fans, there will be days like this but it wasn’t too long ago that most of our days were like this, and all in all things look brighter at the City of Manchester Stadium.
In truth City’s passing was wayward and far too many times we played loose balls and that is never a recipe for success. Pablo Zabaletta went off for treatment to a bleeding head wound and while he was away Baines scored Evertons second. Maybe Mancini should have brought on Boateng as his replacement and maybe the medical staff should have got him patched up and back on earlier. As it was, Baines exploited the space Zab was patrolling and City went into the break two down.
On a positive note Tevez had withdrawn his transfer request and as such kept the captains armband and it was business as usual for our pitbull captain. City looked better in the second half and pulled a goal back through an own goal but that as to be the end of the scoring, despite Everton being put down to ten men following two yellow cards for Anichebe.
City dominated the possession stats and had at least one legitimate hand ball penalty decision turned down. With our recent results against Everton it was hardly surprising that this would be the case though. As for not being top over Christmas, it would have been nice with it being the first time its happened since 1929 but it also shows just how far City have come for this to even be a possibility. Keep the faith City fans, there will be days like this but it wasn’t too long ago that most of our days were like this, and all in all things look brighter at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Friday, December 17, 2010
City, Europa Knockout Stages
So City, having progressed from the Europa League group stage now head into the first knockout round. They have been drawn against Greek Super League side Aris Salonika. This team progressed in the group after first having to qualify beating Jagiellonia Bialystock 4-3 over two legs and downing Austria Vienna 2-1 on aggregate.
To the group stage they went and really not to shabby results beating Atletico Madrid twice (1-0 at home and 3-2 away), a win and defeat with Rosenborg and finally a draw and loss to Bayer Leverkusen.
They are currently 5th in their domestic league with a game in hand although they have lost on each occasion they played the main boys on the block (Panathinaikos, Olympiakos and AEK Athens. In those games not a single goal was scored by Aris which bodes well for Manchester City. The ties will commence the week starting the 7th of February with the return leg a week later.
Now if City manage to progress through this round they face a stiffer test against either Besiktas or Dynamo Kiev.
Now Besiktas had to qualify for the group stage, but once in they only lost the one game, at home to FC Porto. They beat Rapid Wien and CSKA Sofia twice but couldn’t do anything but draw and lose to Porto. If we were to meet them in the last 16 it would probably be our toughest test in the competition to date.
Kiev actually had an easier route to this point, playing teams like Sheriff, BATE and AZ. Dynamo did the double over AZ but failed to get maximum points from the other two, lesser known teams. Only getting the single point against Sheriff and a draw in the opening fixture against BATE meant they only got a total of four points from that team.
The last 16 matches are scheduled for March 10th and 17th.
To the group stage they went and really not to shabby results beating Atletico Madrid twice (1-0 at home and 3-2 away), a win and defeat with Rosenborg and finally a draw and loss to Bayer Leverkusen.
They are currently 5th in their domestic league with a game in hand although they have lost on each occasion they played the main boys on the block (Panathinaikos, Olympiakos and AEK Athens. In those games not a single goal was scored by Aris which bodes well for Manchester City. The ties will commence the week starting the 7th of February with the return leg a week later.
Now if City manage to progress through this round they face a stiffer test against either Besiktas or Dynamo Kiev.
Now Besiktas had to qualify for the group stage, but once in they only lost the one game, at home to FC Porto. They beat Rapid Wien and CSKA Sofia twice but couldn’t do anything but draw and lose to Porto. If we were to meet them in the last 16 it would probably be our toughest test in the competition to date.
Kiev actually had an easier route to this point, playing teams like Sheriff, BATE and AZ. Dynamo did the double over AZ but failed to get maximum points from the other two, lesser known teams. Only getting the single point against Sheriff and a draw in the opening fixture against BATE meant they only got a total of four points from that team.
The last 16 matches are scheduled for March 10th and 17th.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Juve 1, CITY 1
It seemed typical City that in a week dominated by talk of striker trouble at Eastlands, with Ballotelli’s ‘attitude’ and the recent transfer request handed in by Carlos Tevez, that it was a striker who has been loaned out twice and out more than in the team that would secure City’s progression through to the knockout stage in top spot.
Brazilian sensation, Jo netted in the second half to bring Manchester City back on level terms on 76 minutes after Nicolo Giannetti’s opener for the Turin club close to half time. Jo did have the best of the City chances, going close early on in the second half and having a tap in chance cut out by the Juve defenders.
Roberto Mancini used this game to ring in the changes and as a result only Boateng and Jo kept their places from Saturdays win at Upton Park. Youngsters Boyata and Nimely, were given a start as City dominated their opponents. Two penalty appeals went unheard from City before Juve went infront. However it was the City fans who were the star performers on the night. Despite frigid temperatures, at times scrappy play and the fact that City were already through, 1500 made the trip and were, as always, in good voice.
Tomorrow City will find out who they now play in the next round. The draw is live from Monaco at 1pm CET (Midday BST).
Brazilian sensation, Jo netted in the second half to bring Manchester City back on level terms on 76 minutes after Nicolo Giannetti’s opener for the Turin club close to half time. Jo did have the best of the City chances, going close early on in the second half and having a tap in chance cut out by the Juve defenders.
Roberto Mancini used this game to ring in the changes and as a result only Boateng and Jo kept their places from Saturdays win at Upton Park. Youngsters Boyata and Nimely, were given a start as City dominated their opponents. Two penalty appeals went unheard from City before Juve went infront. However it was the City fans who were the star performers on the night. Despite frigid temperatures, at times scrappy play and the fact that City were already through, 1500 made the trip and were, as always, in good voice.
Tomorrow City will find out who they now play in the next round. The draw is live from Monaco at 1pm CET (Midday BST).
CITY v Juve
At last the focus can turn to football matches for Manchester City. After a week dominated by the reports that Carlos Tevez had handed in a transfer request attentions now turn to Turin. City of course are already through to the knockout stages but a win against Italian giants Juventus and finishing top of the group would surely be the icing on the cake.
Domestically City now head into a hectic part of the season with games coming quick and fast and it is with one eye on the Premier League that Mancini selects tonight’s team. Strikers Balotelli and Tevez will remain behind with injured striker Adebayor, and as Roque Santa Cruz wasn’t registered for the competition it leaves Jo as the only recognized striker.
Despite already qualifying Mancini will still be going all out for the top spot. "It is important to win this game because we want to top the group. We prefer not to meet the teams who come from the Champions League“ Mancini told press.
Micah Richards also believes that the players that are selected tonight will be looking to perform to their maximum in order to force their names onto the team sheet on a more regular note.
Adam Johnson however wants to do his best for City in memory of one of his friends, who died recently. Rushden and Diamonds goalkeeper, Dale Roberts who was found dead in his home on Tuesday. “I’m absolutely devastated about Dale’s passing; he was a really good friend,” said Adam. “I grew up with Dale. We were in the same class at school and also played at Middlesbrough together. His parents are friends with my parents and we often went on holiday together.
“I know he was so desperate to improve and get up the leagues as a player, and he was a really good keeper, too. My heart goes out to his family and friends – he was one of my best mates and I’ll really miss him.
“I’m going to go out to Juventus to play in honour of Dale and dedicate my performance and hopefully a victory to his memory.”
Domestically City now head into a hectic part of the season with games coming quick and fast and it is with one eye on the Premier League that Mancini selects tonight’s team. Strikers Balotelli and Tevez will remain behind with injured striker Adebayor, and as Roque Santa Cruz wasn’t registered for the competition it leaves Jo as the only recognized striker.
Despite already qualifying Mancini will still be going all out for the top spot. "It is important to win this game because we want to top the group. We prefer not to meet the teams who come from the Champions League“ Mancini told press.
Micah Richards also believes that the players that are selected tonight will be looking to perform to their maximum in order to force their names onto the team sheet on a more regular note.
Adam Johnson however wants to do his best for City in memory of one of his friends, who died recently. Rushden and Diamonds goalkeeper, Dale Roberts who was found dead in his home on Tuesday. “I’m absolutely devastated about Dale’s passing; he was a really good friend,” said Adam. “I grew up with Dale. We were in the same class at school and also played at Middlesbrough together. His parents are friends with my parents and we often went on holiday together.
“I know he was so desperate to improve and get up the leagues as a player, and he was a really good keeper, too. My heart goes out to his family and friends – he was one of my best mates and I’ll really miss him.
“I’m going to go out to Juventus to play in honour of Dale and dedicate my performance and hopefully a victory to his memory.”
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tevez: Transfer Request
So I decided to leave it a whole day before I commented on this development at the City of Manchester Stadium this past weekend. For a while now rumors had been rife that City hero Carlos Tevez wanted to leave our team. As ever with these things the rumors were considered just that with both City boss Roberto Mancini and the player himself saying they were happy at City.
However, on Sunday, Carlos Tevez made it clear that he wants to leave Manchester City citing a breakdown in his relationships with 'certain executives and individuals'.
For their part Manchester City had announced on their official site that they had rejected a transfer request from the player and proceed to lay the blame firmly at Tevez’s advisor Kia Joorabchain.
Now there are a few theories flying about with regards the reason behind Tevez’s decision and they range from homesickness to just wanting more money. Personally my thoughts on the subject are that no player, manager or individual at the club are greater than the club and when a player decides he wants to leave, and states publicly that he doesn’t think he will play for City again well there is only one thing that should be done.
If homesickness is the real reason for his decision then he must be allowed to leave for another club but that club must not be another Premiership one. If he is homesick in Manchester I do not see what will change after a move to London for example.
The breakdown in relationship with ’certain executives and individuals’ excuse is a more worrying one though. It could signal interference of the team and as time goes on the situation will grow and we may see others head for the door. again he should be allowed to leave in January and we now have the capital to wish him luck and move on. A few seasons ago City would have been destroyed if a player of Tevez’s caliber left us, but not now. At worst it is a distraction from what City have achieved this season.
We should not however negotiate with him if it is the case that he just wants more money. Wayne Rooney did that with United and got a new deal, Derek Jeter tried it with the New York Yankees and got his contract renewed, but for nowhere near the pay he was demanding. The Yankees basically made Jeter their offer, when he said he would only accept if it was more they told him, good luck. They knew he wouldn’t find a team willing to pay him what he was on, he knew that if he left he would be leaving the one team he has played for all his career and in the end sense prevailed. If City were to take the United path then who will be next knocking on the door?
Personally I do not think that City should block him, but they also should have a fair price in mind and do a deal that is good for us. The fans should also, and I have no doubts they will, continue to support him while the sky blue shirt is on his back and wish him luck and thank him when he leaves. He has in such a short time become a fans favorite and a City hero…but we survived when the previous heroes moved on or retired and we shall again. We will also, I have no doubts, have other City heroes going forward. The future is still bright and is most certainly still blue, but lets keep our class and not vilify him like those from United did. We are bigger than that and most certainly better. Also think of what egg is on the face of those who slated Rooney a few months ago and now chant his name from their sofas!
However, on Sunday, Carlos Tevez made it clear that he wants to leave Manchester City citing a breakdown in his relationships with 'certain executives and individuals'.
For their part Manchester City had announced on their official site that they had rejected a transfer request from the player and proceed to lay the blame firmly at Tevez’s advisor Kia Joorabchain.
Now there are a few theories flying about with regards the reason behind Tevez’s decision and they range from homesickness to just wanting more money. Personally my thoughts on the subject are that no player, manager or individual at the club are greater than the club and when a player decides he wants to leave, and states publicly that he doesn’t think he will play for City again well there is only one thing that should be done.
If homesickness is the real reason for his decision then he must be allowed to leave for another club but that club must not be another Premiership one. If he is homesick in Manchester I do not see what will change after a move to London for example.
The breakdown in relationship with ’certain executives and individuals’ excuse is a more worrying one though. It could signal interference of the team and as time goes on the situation will grow and we may see others head for the door. again he should be allowed to leave in January and we now have the capital to wish him luck and move on. A few seasons ago City would have been destroyed if a player of Tevez’s caliber left us, but not now. At worst it is a distraction from what City have achieved this season.
We should not however negotiate with him if it is the case that he just wants more money. Wayne Rooney did that with United and got a new deal, Derek Jeter tried it with the New York Yankees and got his contract renewed, but for nowhere near the pay he was demanding. The Yankees basically made Jeter their offer, when he said he would only accept if it was more they told him, good luck. They knew he wouldn’t find a team willing to pay him what he was on, he knew that if he left he would be leaving the one team he has played for all his career and in the end sense prevailed. If City were to take the United path then who will be next knocking on the door?
Personally I do not think that City should block him, but they also should have a fair price in mind and do a deal that is good for us. The fans should also, and I have no doubts they will, continue to support him while the sky blue shirt is on his back and wish him luck and thank him when he leaves. He has in such a short time become a fans favorite and a City hero…but we survived when the previous heroes moved on or retired and we shall again. We will also, I have no doubts, have other City heroes going forward. The future is still bright and is most certainly still blue, but lets keep our class and not vilify him like those from United did. We are bigger than that and most certainly better. Also think of what egg is on the face of those who slated Rooney a few months ago and now chant his name from their sofas!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Sepp, Qatar and the French Connection
FIFA’s mission is to bring football to the world, especially those regions flush with fossil fuel wealth and conveniently lax ethical standards. Mired by multiple scandals, FIFA delegates voted to bring the game’s talents to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. The fishy choices resonate with the mantra that will be Sepp Blatter’s enduring legacy, “Straight Cash, Homie.”
The process is a corrupt political system with no accountability. Cash exchanges are made. Distinguished politicians and future kings are forced to kowtow before fat, despicable FIFA bureaucrats. Regardless of the result the whole thing is shameful and disgusting. England and the United States had the best stadiums, the most stable infrastructure and would have been the most profitable. Both earned a perfect 100% rating from a consulting firm. They lost out to Russia (86%) and Qatar (70%). Both countries were the most practical choices, but that may not have been a compelling selling point.
So with the World Cup NOT to be held in England I was not so concerned that we didn’t actually secure the competition. I mean it is probably a financial burden best left for others to deal with. However it was brought to my attention earlier today that someone did get a big bonus payout based on the host of the 2022 World Cup. Now obviously England were not involved in this selection in the final run up but it does raise questions about where money ruining football is justified. It was reported today that former French footballer, Zinedine Zidane, (yes the head-butt guy!) was due to get $15million if Qatar did actually get the ‘22 Cup.
Qatar is a small country, but an exceedingly wealthy one. Though, the slavery and human trafficking should be a concern. The heat is an issue with the average temperature that time of year is 106 degrees, meaning it could get as high as 130 on the field. However, Qatar will be constructing all new stadiums for the event, with sophisticated air conditioning systems. The government has also confirmed it will allow alcohol and, despite not recognizing Israel, would treat them as any other team if they qualified. But Zidane is a small fish in a big pond, the real Prince of the Paper bag is Sepp Blatter.
Blatter has a long and varied employment history including posts such as Head of Public Relations of the Valaisan Tourist Board in his native Switzerland, as well as General Secretary of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation. He was Director of Sports Timing and Relations of Longines S.A. and was involved in the organization of the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games. In the early 1970s, Blatter was elected president of the World Society of Friends of Suspenders, an organisation which tried to stop women replacing suspender belts with pantyhose.
Since 1975 Blatter has been working at FIFA, first as Technical Director (1975–1981), then General Secretary (1981–1998) before his election as FIFA President in 1998. He was re-elected as head of FIFA in 2002 and was re-elected unopposed for another four years on 31 May 2007 even though only 66 of 207 FIFA members nominated him. Sepp Blatter sought another term as FIFA president in December 2009 and was elected once more.
Sepp Blatter's 1998 election to the presidency of FIFA over UEFA President Lennart Johansson occurred amidst much controversy. His 2002 candidacy has been marked with rumours of financial irregularities and backroom dealings, culminating with direct accusations of bribery, by a third party, made in the British press by Farra Ado, vice-president of the Confederation of African Football and president of the Somali Football Federation, who claimed to have been offered $100,000 to vote for Blatter in 1998.
Amidst internal divisions, FIFA's secretary-general Blatter's deputy and former protégé, Michel Zen-Ruffinen drew up a 30-page dossier outlining allegations of financial mismanagement within the organisation. The dossier alleged that the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner ISL had led to losses of up to $100m under Blatter's management. The allegations were backed by Johansson, and the dossier was handed to the Swiss authorities, but they cleared Blatter of any wrong doing and FIFA had to pay all the costs. An internal investigation within FIFA was halted by Blatter because members of it broke confidentiality agreements. This questionable behaviour led him to remove Zen-Ruffinen from office immediately before the FIFA World Cup 2002.
After a controversial second-round match in the 2006 World Cup between Portugal and the Netherlands, which saw referee Valentin Ivanov issuing a record 16 yellow cards and four red cards, Blatter lambasted the officiating, and said that Ivanov should have given himself a yellow card for his poor performance as a referee. However he later regretted his words and promised to officially apologise to Ivanov. This apology was never given, and the referee was removed from further officiating.
During the 2006 FIFA World Cup final in Germany, Blatter's absence during the prize-podium event was noted and criticized in international media. It was claimed that the reason Blatter did not attend was because he was upset that Italy won instead of France. Blatter later apologised and said the reason he had shunned the presentation ceremony was because he was afraid of being whistled.
Blatter publicly laughed at a request by the Football Association of Ireland that Ireland be the 33rd entrant following a controversial hand ball incident in their qualification. Ireland had been drawn against France after a highly controversial seeding system was put into place. This seemed to favour higher ranked teams and Blatter's very late decision to implement it was seen by many as a last ditch attempt to ensure that the higher ranked teams went through. Ireland had lost the first leg 1-0. However, during the second leg, with Ireland leading 1-0 and minutes to go, Thierry Henry used his hand twice to control the ball in the penalty area and deliver a pass to William Gallas for an easy goal.
The criticism attracted by Blatter's refusal to allow goal-line technology or video replays intensified following the controversial Lampard disallowed goal in the match between England and Germany on 27 June 2010. Two days later, Blatter stated that he deplored the "evident referee mistakes" in the England v Germany and Mexico v Argentina matches, and apologised to the English Football Association and the Mexican Football Federation (the two organizations directly concerned by the referees' mistakes), acknowledging that Lampard had indeed scored against Germany and that Tevez's goal against Mexico had been scored from an offside position. He added: "It is obvious that after the experiences so far at this World Cup it would be a nonsense not to re-open the file on goal-line technology. We will come out with a new model in November on how to improve high level referees. I cannot disclose more of what we are doing but something has to be changed."
2018/2022 FIFA World Cup
It was reported that Blatter had "cut an unofficial deal with UEFA head Michel Platini" to ensure Europe would receive the 2018 World Cup, such that if the non-European bids did not withdraw from 2018 "they will find themselves frozen out and not given any backing by the FIFA High Command, damaging their chances of being serious contenders for the second tournament." Eleven bids were submitted in March 2009 covering thirteen nations. Mexico and Indonesia withdrew. Five of the remaining nine bids, South Korea, Qatar, Japan, Australia and United States were only for the 2022 World Cup, while all the others were bidding for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. However, since all of the bids for the 2018 World Cup are from European nations, and FIFA's rules dictate that countries belonging to confederations that hosted either of the two preceding tournaments are not eligible to host, bids of England, Russia, Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal are now forced to be for 2018only.
Women's football
Blatter incurred the ire of female footballers in 2004 when he suggested that women should "wear tighter shorts and low cut shirts... to create a more female aesthetic" and attract more male fans, remarks that were ridiculed in the press.
Foreign quotas
Blatter incurred much criticism during 2007 and 2008 for his persistence in attempting to change EU employment law regarding the number of foreign players football clubs can field at any one time. His plans are to set a restriction to 5 foreign players and having 6 players from the said team's own nationality. Blatter believes this would help the countries' national sides by having more national players playing in their leagues. Blatter has often referred to the English Premier League as one of the major problems in football and uses it as an example, due to the influence of foreign players, coaches and owners in the top teams.
Changes to the game made under Blatter.
The silver goal replaced the golden goal rule in extra time of play-off matches. Under the golden goal rule, the match ends immediately if one side scores in extra time. The silver goal rule states that the match will end at the half-time period in extra time if one team is leading – otherwise the match will continue until the end of the extra time period. Some fans believe that this rule change makes the game less exciting, while others felt that the game is more fair as a result. The new rule was first applied in the Euro 2004 competition, but it has since been discontinued along with golden goal. All competitions have now reverted to the traditional extra time rules, i.e. they must play the full amount of extra time, no matter what the score is.
Since the 2002 World Cup, the current World Cup champion no longer automatically qualifies for the next World Cup finals, as was the case for the champions of all 16 previous World Cups.
National associations must now enforce immediate suspensions of all players sent off during a game, even if television replays offer compelling evidence of a player's innocence. In particular, Blatter insists that a referee's judgement must be seen as final and that mistakes are part of the game. The FA, however, has refused to follow this directive, and allows appeals against straight red cards (though not those resulting from two yellows).
Under Blatter, starting in 2004, the game implemented the booking of players who remove their shirts after scoring a goal, as well as those who are guilty of 'over-zealous celebrations'. The rationale for this rule change is that football is a global sport, and thus the sensibilities of conservative nations and spectators must be respected.
In 2007, Blatter decided that no football matches will be played above 2500 metres (8200 ft) above sea level. This number was revised to 3000 metres (9840 feet) on 26 June 2007. This may have been aimed to split the opposition group formed by Colombia, Ecuador (who play at altitudes below 3000 metres but above 2500), Bolivia and Peru (with stadiums above 3000 metres). This has dramatic consequences for the Bolivian national team, whose stadium is located more than 3000 metres above sea level. Blatter commented that football matches at extreme altitudes belong to the past, and that they are risky for players' health. However, no comprehensive medical studies have been shown to prove this. The Andean nations argue that playing in hot, sea level temperature is in fact more dangerous, citing the death of Marc-Vivien Foé as an example.
The process is a corrupt political system with no accountability. Cash exchanges are made. Distinguished politicians and future kings are forced to kowtow before fat, despicable FIFA bureaucrats. Regardless of the result the whole thing is shameful and disgusting. England and the United States had the best stadiums, the most stable infrastructure and would have been the most profitable. Both earned a perfect 100% rating from a consulting firm. They lost out to Russia (86%) and Qatar (70%). Both countries were the most practical choices, but that may not have been a compelling selling point.
So with the World Cup NOT to be held in England I was not so concerned that we didn’t actually secure the competition. I mean it is probably a financial burden best left for others to deal with. However it was brought to my attention earlier today that someone did get a big bonus payout based on the host of the 2022 World Cup. Now obviously England were not involved in this selection in the final run up but it does raise questions about where money ruining football is justified. It was reported today that former French footballer, Zinedine Zidane, (yes the head-butt guy!) was due to get $15million if Qatar did actually get the ‘22 Cup.
Qatar is a small country, but an exceedingly wealthy one. Though, the slavery and human trafficking should be a concern. The heat is an issue with the average temperature that time of year is 106 degrees, meaning it could get as high as 130 on the field. However, Qatar will be constructing all new stadiums for the event, with sophisticated air conditioning systems. The government has also confirmed it will allow alcohol and, despite not recognizing Israel, would treat them as any other team if they qualified. But Zidane is a small fish in a big pond, the real Prince of the Paper bag is Sepp Blatter.
Blatter has a long and varied employment history including posts such as Head of Public Relations of the Valaisan Tourist Board in his native Switzerland, as well as General Secretary of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation. He was Director of Sports Timing and Relations of Longines S.A. and was involved in the organization of the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games. In the early 1970s, Blatter was elected president of the World Society of Friends of Suspenders, an organisation which tried to stop women replacing suspender belts with pantyhose.
Since 1975 Blatter has been working at FIFA, first as Technical Director (1975–1981), then General Secretary (1981–1998) before his election as FIFA President in 1998. He was re-elected as head of FIFA in 2002 and was re-elected unopposed for another four years on 31 May 2007 even though only 66 of 207 FIFA members nominated him. Sepp Blatter sought another term as FIFA president in December 2009 and was elected once more.
Sepp Blatter's 1998 election to the presidency of FIFA over UEFA President Lennart Johansson occurred amidst much controversy. His 2002 candidacy has been marked with rumours of financial irregularities and backroom dealings, culminating with direct accusations of bribery, by a third party, made in the British press by Farra Ado, vice-president of the Confederation of African Football and president of the Somali Football Federation, who claimed to have been offered $100,000 to vote for Blatter in 1998.
Amidst internal divisions, FIFA's secretary-general Blatter's deputy and former protégé, Michel Zen-Ruffinen drew up a 30-page dossier outlining allegations of financial mismanagement within the organisation. The dossier alleged that the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner ISL had led to losses of up to $100m under Blatter's management. The allegations were backed by Johansson, and the dossier was handed to the Swiss authorities, but they cleared Blatter of any wrong doing and FIFA had to pay all the costs. An internal investigation within FIFA was halted by Blatter because members of it broke confidentiality agreements. This questionable behaviour led him to remove Zen-Ruffinen from office immediately before the FIFA World Cup 2002.
After a controversial second-round match in the 2006 World Cup between Portugal and the Netherlands, which saw referee Valentin Ivanov issuing a record 16 yellow cards and four red cards, Blatter lambasted the officiating, and said that Ivanov should have given himself a yellow card for his poor performance as a referee. However he later regretted his words and promised to officially apologise to Ivanov. This apology was never given, and the referee was removed from further officiating.
During the 2006 FIFA World Cup final in Germany, Blatter's absence during the prize-podium event was noted and criticized in international media. It was claimed that the reason Blatter did not attend was because he was upset that Italy won instead of France. Blatter later apologised and said the reason he had shunned the presentation ceremony was because he was afraid of being whistled.
Blatter publicly laughed at a request by the Football Association of Ireland that Ireland be the 33rd entrant following a controversial hand ball incident in their qualification. Ireland had been drawn against France after a highly controversial seeding system was put into place. This seemed to favour higher ranked teams and Blatter's very late decision to implement it was seen by many as a last ditch attempt to ensure that the higher ranked teams went through. Ireland had lost the first leg 1-0. However, during the second leg, with Ireland leading 1-0 and minutes to go, Thierry Henry used his hand twice to control the ball in the penalty area and deliver a pass to William Gallas for an easy goal.
The criticism attracted by Blatter's refusal to allow goal-line technology or video replays intensified following the controversial Lampard disallowed goal in the match between England and Germany on 27 June 2010. Two days later, Blatter stated that he deplored the "evident referee mistakes" in the England v Germany and Mexico v Argentina matches, and apologised to the English Football Association and the Mexican Football Federation (the two organizations directly concerned by the referees' mistakes), acknowledging that Lampard had indeed scored against Germany and that Tevez's goal against Mexico had been scored from an offside position. He added: "It is obvious that after the experiences so far at this World Cup it would be a nonsense not to re-open the file on goal-line technology. We will come out with a new model in November on how to improve high level referees. I cannot disclose more of what we are doing but something has to be changed."
2018/2022 FIFA World Cup
It was reported that Blatter had "cut an unofficial deal with UEFA head Michel Platini" to ensure Europe would receive the 2018 World Cup, such that if the non-European bids did not withdraw from 2018 "they will find themselves frozen out and not given any backing by the FIFA High Command, damaging their chances of being serious contenders for the second tournament." Eleven bids were submitted in March 2009 covering thirteen nations. Mexico and Indonesia withdrew. Five of the remaining nine bids, South Korea, Qatar, Japan, Australia and United States were only for the 2022 World Cup, while all the others were bidding for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. However, since all of the bids for the 2018 World Cup are from European nations, and FIFA's rules dictate that countries belonging to confederations that hosted either of the two preceding tournaments are not eligible to host, bids of England, Russia, Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal are now forced to be for 2018only.
Women's football
Blatter incurred the ire of female footballers in 2004 when he suggested that women should "wear tighter shorts and low cut shirts... to create a more female aesthetic" and attract more male fans, remarks that were ridiculed in the press.
Foreign quotas
Blatter incurred much criticism during 2007 and 2008 for his persistence in attempting to change EU employment law regarding the number of foreign players football clubs can field at any one time. His plans are to set a restriction to 5 foreign players and having 6 players from the said team's own nationality. Blatter believes this would help the countries' national sides by having more national players playing in their leagues. Blatter has often referred to the English Premier League as one of the major problems in football and uses it as an example, due to the influence of foreign players, coaches and owners in the top teams.
Changes to the game made under Blatter.
The silver goal replaced the golden goal rule in extra time of play-off matches. Under the golden goal rule, the match ends immediately if one side scores in extra time. The silver goal rule states that the match will end at the half-time period in extra time if one team is leading – otherwise the match will continue until the end of the extra time period. Some fans believe that this rule change makes the game less exciting, while others felt that the game is more fair as a result. The new rule was first applied in the Euro 2004 competition, but it has since been discontinued along with golden goal. All competitions have now reverted to the traditional extra time rules, i.e. they must play the full amount of extra time, no matter what the score is.
Since the 2002 World Cup, the current World Cup champion no longer automatically qualifies for the next World Cup finals, as was the case for the champions of all 16 previous World Cups.
National associations must now enforce immediate suspensions of all players sent off during a game, even if television replays offer compelling evidence of a player's innocence. In particular, Blatter insists that a referee's judgement must be seen as final and that mistakes are part of the game. The FA, however, has refused to follow this directive, and allows appeals against straight red cards (though not those resulting from two yellows).
Under Blatter, starting in 2004, the game implemented the booking of players who remove their shirts after scoring a goal, as well as those who are guilty of 'over-zealous celebrations'. The rationale for this rule change is that football is a global sport, and thus the sensibilities of conservative nations and spectators must be respected.
In 2007, Blatter decided that no football matches will be played above 2500 metres (8200 ft) above sea level. This number was revised to 3000 metres (9840 feet) on 26 June 2007. This may have been aimed to split the opposition group formed by Colombia, Ecuador (who play at altitudes below 3000 metres but above 2500), Bolivia and Peru (with stadiums above 3000 metres). This has dramatic consequences for the Bolivian national team, whose stadium is located more than 3000 metres above sea level. Blatter commented that football matches at extreme altitudes belong to the past, and that they are risky for players' health. However, no comprehensive medical studies have been shown to prove this. The Andean nations argue that playing in hot, sea level temperature is in fact more dangerous, citing the death of Marc-Vivien Foé as an example.
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