Like the slippery person he is, Blatter although stepping down will in fact stay for at least the next 4 months to, as he said, “oversee the final push”. That’s likely to give him control of any election process and the opportunity to influence his successor. Same old, same old comes to mind. With you on Qatar hosting the 2022 WC being chucked out. Firstly, they are a (very) rich Nation so them being awarded it for ’development purposes’ is a nonsense. Secondly, the dodgy ’legality’ of switching it to the winter when the vote was for a summer tournament. The financial implications are huge though, so not sure even a ’new FIFA’ is going to have the will. Russia I think is a different issue. They, in contrast, are a Nation with a great football tradition and have never hosted a WC. Doubt if any past host can honestly claim to be squeaky clean and really believe they deserve a chance. I’m also mindful of the part Moscow Spartak’s visit to the UK played in breaking down barriers between Russia and the West back in 1945. Something that seemingly was beyond the ‘professional’ diplomats. Taking their World Cup away at this late stage goes completely contrary to that model and has risks beyond the practical and the financial. [As an aside. The influence of sport in helping resolve conflicts has always interested me. And the political role Moscow Spartak played in Stalin’s Russia is top of the list. For anybody interested I’d recommend these books - “Passovotchka” by David Downing “Comrade Jim” by Jim Riordan]
I think that the FAI took 5 million from FIFA says a lot about what is wrong with the game. That is was never disclosed publicly due some dodgy confidentiality clause, just makes it worse. So how much is Lampard's disallowed goal worth? Refereeing mistakes are part of the game - When things go against your team, us fans have to live with it, even if it hurts. That officials think that money can make good is just stupid and undermines the future of professional football. Custodians of the game are supposed to be better than this, but in reality no better than the rest of us and not worth their money.
That depends on which of the two definitions of "buck" is referred to - The FIFA hierarchy only understand the slang for US DOLLAR. That the man can stay in charge for 6 months rediculous and would not be acceptable in most other spheres of life; just shows the heirarchy to be out-of-touch.
Liverpool could be set to name Rene Meulensteen as Brendan Rodger’s assistant manager, after the club chose not to renew Colin Pascoe’s contract, according to the Telegraph. Still think Rene and Kit were doing fine for us (before Kit went back to the U21s and Wilkins and Curbs came in, that is).
I thought (and think) that appointing Meulensteen as Jol's assistant forced the board's hand when it came to choosing a replacement. Confirming him as Jol's replacement was a bad decision, and ironically, sacking him when they did - just as we were finally showing signs of improving under him - was a bad decision. If he goes to Liverpool, there will be no expectation that he gets to take over if anything happens to Rodgers, so I think that would be a great appointment by them. Good luck to him, too. It's not entirely his fault that he was part of our year of madness.
please log in to view this image John Arne Riise, who is currently a free agent after his contract with Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia was terminated by mutual consent, is on the verge of joining Indian Super League (ISL) side Kerala Blasters. Aaaah, the old 'mutual consent': now that is a blast.
Chris Baird has signed for Derby. please log in to view this image I know the old cliché about not returning from whence you came, but I’d much prefer Bairdinho to Tunnicliffe.
AC Milan have made a €3 million bid for Beşiktaş winger Kerim Frei according to Turkish papers. please log in to view this image In fact, the report goes on to say that the Italian’s are also willing to offer Hachim Mastour in addition to the transfer free as a part-exchange deal.
Johnny Heitinga has re-joined his old club Ajax on a 1yr contract, with the possibility of an extension. please log in to view this image He spent last year with Hertha Berlin - boy, could we have done with him!
Remember Roy’s second, or was it third, choice goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler - him what played one game for us (in the League Cup)? please log in to view this image Well, he’s now on Paul Clement’s backroom staff as Derby’s Goalkeeping Coach. Source: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Der...ascal-Zuberb/story-26793331-detail/story.html
And, another second, or was it third, choice goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has signed a 2 year deal with League 1 side Walsall. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33363265 please log in to view this image The Philippine International managed only one appearance for the Full side in his 5 years at the Club - a Europa match against Odense back in December 2011.
Been meaning to post this for a couple of weeks: is anyone watching the sitcom Undercover on Dave at the moment? I'm convinced one of the writers has a Fulham connection. One character, an Arminian gangster, is called Ara, and Bedrossian crops up as the name of another family. That can't be a coincidence, can it? Watching Ara Bedrossian was one of my fondest memories of the pre-Micky Adams lower division days. Letting him slip away was, to my mind, the very worst thing Ian Branfoot did for us (but he also brought Micky Adams to the club, along with Nick Cusack and a few other stalwarts of Micky's team, so he deserves some credit, I suppose).
To be fair it was Don McKay who initially lost the plot with Ara: along with most other things as well! Anyway, why would Branfoot want Ara when he had Terry Hurlock - the man who had as many disciplinary points (61) as we had League points (62) that season? please log in to view this image
While we are in that in between, what do most members think of the clubs badge/logo. I feel it is so bland making it somewhat a non entity. Would any of you like a change, and to what, Me I like the original from1879. ( in the days when we played in black and white)
India seems the place to be. ‘Old Boy’ Diomansy Kamara has joined Indian Super League side NorthEast United. He’ll be remembered fondly for that winner against Man City in the year of The Great Escape. However, this goal against Spurs must rank up there with one of our best ever:
QPR have been a financial shambles over the last few years. The sun seems to be shining on them at the moment though: * The FA FFP lot seem to have gotten cold feet over that threatened £58m fine * £2.8m from selling Taarabt to Benfica * £10m for Sterling going from L’pool to Man City (20% sell on clause of his £49m fee) [Lessons for Fulham somewhere in there ?]
