Britain’s first 1 million pound player dies aged 69. TBH thought he might be older . https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66287307
More sad news for Forest/Wednesday fans and the game in general with Chris Bart Williams passing just aged 49. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-chris-bart-williams-dies-30544533.amp
A bit of an upset in the Women's World Cup - the Kiwis defeated 1-0 by the Philippines. Kiwis bossed the game but just couldn't score - although VAR did chalk off an equaliser for them.
Two sent off in the 'friendly' between Preston and Fleetwood. https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/footbal...rby-ends-goalless-as-two-are-sent-off-4232029 If a player is sent off in a friendly are they suspended for league games at the start of the season?
Good question. I imagine they would be, otherwise there's not much point in red carding them, especially during the final pre-season friendly. On the other hand, any bans for being red carded during league games can't be served in friendlies, so who knows? Best we wait for Fez to wake up...
I don't think much of BBC journalists at the best of times, but this one takes the cake. Why on earth he thought his question to the Morocco team captain was acceptable in the first place is beyond belief - but then he even argued when told it wasn't. Should be named & shamed, but the industry appears to have closed ranks around him.
Good question. But we're in to "Governance" territory not the "Laws" so it's a bit out of my comfort zone. Albeit at grass roots level, I've sent players off at pre-season friendlies and the punishments meted out by County were actually more severe! Oddly, years ago, one of the worst kick-fests I've ever seen took place at Rayners Lane FC: a pre-season round robin tournament for four teams over three days with a final. Three of the teams were predominantly Portuguese ex-pats with an Afro-Caribbean team making up the numbers. Some of these guys had played 2nd division football in Portugal, there were some properly good players out there, all with a common interest... to absolutely kick the living **** out of each other. Horrific experience! At one point I flagged for a foul and called the referee over. I had to explain to him that the situation was untenable and that he had to send the player off - think Britos vs Knockaert all game but on this occasion leaving a full hip to knee gash on the leg and torn shorts. There were about 600+ people watching, the place was packed! Claxons, flags, streamers - you name it... even a Calypso band. And yet!!
Châteauroux are inviting me to buy a season ticket for the 18 home games. The cost is €150 which seems like a bit of a bargain. But then I think back to last season when people were sat in sub-zero temperatures, clutching a hot cup of soup to stop their fingers from falling off. I would quite like to go and be a part of their fan base, but then it is an hour drive each way, which is not good for the planet. You can see how I am starting talking myself out of it already. I am hopeful that the FFF will continue with their excellent Friday night streams, which are free, meaning I can tuck into a meal, a glass or two, while keeping warm in front of the fire. Fair weather fan? Maybe, but it doesn't stop me hurling abuse at a rubbish referee.
Wants a move to Madrid doesn't he and is quite prepared to sit at PSG and wait a year before leaving.
Moving to Saudi would have damaged his career, at his age he needs to be at his best playing the best
Another upset on the cards in the Women's World Cup - Nigeria leading Australia 3-1 with 15 minutes to go.
Final score 2-3. Looking at the stats, the Australian team are going to be wondering how they lost that...
Censorship Saudi-style. It was a nailed on certainty that something like this would happen - but I expect that his £700K per week salary will be enough to keep Henderson quiet about the issue. https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/jordan-hendersons-new-saudi-club-removes-lgbt-pride-captains-armband/
Officials to adopt a new approach for this coming season. The cynic in me asks - Are they going to start refereeing properly? https://www.watfordfc.com/news/efl-statement-match-officials-to-adopt-new-approach-for-202324-season
I must admit that I thought England's win over Denmark this morning was enough to see them progress to the next stage - but apparently not - yet. If they lose by two goals against China, and Denmark beat Haiti by the same margin, then they are out. Possibly the only thing in their favour is that none of the teams in the group seem capable of scoring more than once in a match. I haven't a clue what happens if both China and Denmark win 1-0 though - three teams equal on points with the same goal difference and the same number of goals scored...
