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Thursday, August 11, 2022

OT Soccer Thread - European Leages Return

The new season kicks off in Europe without a peep from the BBTF cognoscenti. Are the fans turned off by the stratospheric player salaries? Dismayed at increasing stratification in domestic leagues? Bored with the prospect of more meaningless Champions League group games? Gearing up for a World Cup boycott? Or, you know, just kind of tired in general. Whatever the reason, we can’t go without a soccer thread, surely!

The Marksist Posted: August 11, 2022 at 02:20 PM | 775 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: off-topic, soccer

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   701. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 13, 2022 at 01:59 PM (#6105372)
EPL winner odds:
                 PRE-SEASON   CURRENT
City                57          65.5

Arsenal              2.5        27.25

Liverpool           26           2.5
Newcastle            0.5         2.25
United               2           1.25
Tottenham            6           1
Chelsea              5           0.25

Field                1     


EPL Top 4 odds.
                PRE-SEASON   CURRENT
City                96.5        98

Arsenal             37.5        88

Liverpool           87          59

Tottenham           59.5        43
United              30          41
Newcastle           8.5         36

Chelsea             56          19

Brighton            3            4

Field              22            2


Relegation odds:
                 PRE-SEASON   CURRENT
Forest              41.5        60
Bournemouth         65          59

Wolves              15          48.5

Southampton         24.5        35.5
Everton             22          33

Leeds               30          17.5

Fulham              39           9
Leicester            6.5         8.5
West Ham             3.5         8
Villa                4           7.5
Brentford           24           7
Palace              11.5         5

Brighton            10           1.5

Top 6 + Newcastle    3.5
   702. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 13, 2022 at 02:16 PM (#6105375)
Approximate relative expected team quality going forward, based on betting odds.
           remaining               opponents still unplayed                           
        points    games   p/g    

city         56     24    2.33   arsenal, tottenham, chelsea, leeds, everton             *  extra away

liverpool    49     24    2.04   chelsea, villa, leicester, brentford, wolves            *  

arsenal      46     24    1.92   city, newcastle, brighton, west ham, everton            ** extra home

tottenham    40     23    1.74   city, villa, palace, brentford
chelsea      44.5   24    1.85   city, liverpool, fulham, bournemouth, forest            **
united       42     24    1.75   palace, leeds, wolves, bournemouth, forest              **
newcastle    38     23    1.65   arsenal, west ham, leicester, leeds

brighton     35     24    1.46   arsenal, palace, everton, southampton, bournemouth

west ham     30     23    1.30   arsenal, newcastle, brentford, leeds
villa        29     23    1.26   liverpool, tottenham, leicester, wolves
palace       29     24    1.21   tottenham, united, brighton, fulham, bournemouth

leicester    26.5   23    1.15   liverpool, newcastle, villa, fulham
brentford    26     23    1.13   liverpool, tottenham, west ham, southampton
leeds        26     24    1.08   city, united, newcastle, west ham, forest
everton      24.5   23    1.07   city, arsenal, brighton, wolves
wolves       24.5   23    1.07   liverpool, united, villa, everton
fulham       24     23    1.04   chelsea, palace, leicester, southampton
southampton  24     23    1.04   brighton, brentford, fulham, forest

forest       20     23    0.87   united, chelsea, leeds, southampton

bournemouth  15.5   23    0.67   united, chelsea, brighton, palace
   703. Infinite Yost (Voxter) Posted: November 13, 2022 at 03:10 PM (#6105382)
Arsenal and City were supposed to have played earlier this season but the match was postponed for some reason. Was it the death of the queen, maybe? Anyway, that leaves us in a situation in which we don't know when they'll play next, and it may well not be until 26 April, as part of an absolutely brutal stretch where they play City on the road, Chelsea at home, and Newcastle on the road in consecutive weeks. If this thing is still in play by then, that's the gauntlet. There's every chance that even a good team comes away from those three weeks with no points, which would presumably be a dagger in the heart of their season at that point.

I do wonder when the postponed match will be played. Hopefully sooner rather than later, because it's going to be absolutely bonkers at Emirates if they're still 1-2 in the league and fairly close when it happens.
   704. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 13, 2022 at 06:21 PM (#6105406)
A couple games blissfully without Ronaldo and United looks quite a bit better again. Ronaldo naturally starts complaining to the media.

His performance has not been lost on the fans, and without the fan support he is completely useless to United and has no leverage. They really need to get rid of him as soon as possible. It would be well worth just eating the rest of his contract in my opinion.

In an ideal world he could be brought on late in games and play in some league and FA cup ties, but they already tried that and he ####### to high heaven.
   705. Infinite Yost (Voxter) Posted: November 13, 2022 at 07:19 PM (#6105416)
His performance has not been lost on the fans, and without the fan support he is completely useless to United and has no leverage. They really need to get rid of him as soon as possible. It would be well worth just eating the rest of his contract in my opinion.


I don't mean to bask in your misery, but I must say that Ronaldo's ####-eating campaign has really pleased me. The only athlete I've ever loathed in an even remotely similar way is Derek Jeter.
   706. Textbook Editor Posted: November 13, 2022 at 09:14 PM (#6105422)
They really need to get rid of him as soon as possible. It would be well worth just eating the rest of his contract in my opinion.


Ronaldo should be careful what he wishes for... If United eat the rest of the contract (and I strongly suspect they will have to, and will do so in January), I'm not sure there's a single team in the CL or considered "top tier" enough by Ronaldo who would sign him for his preferred weekly wage.

He's basically a toxic brand, and a toxic clubhouse presence. Outside of some lunatic team (and one with deep pockets) trying to stave off relegation that desperately--and I mean desperately--need a static forward who won't play defense but can score some goals if provided service... who would have him?

This sad, pathetic end also isn't going to be good for the ol' legacy... People remember the end just like the remember the good stuff (maybe even moreso).
   707. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 14, 2022 at 12:01 AM (#6105428)
Oh I don't mind in the least that Ronaldo is struggling so much now. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. I don't enjoy watching him play at all and I haven't for a decade, even for years when he was still top notch. It's just a shame he has to drag down United and the EPL, but oh well.

Serious question on 706 though. I would have assumed that if United eats the rest of his contract that also means his weekly wages until the end of the season (or, at least almost the full amount of the weekly wages). Ronaldo could presumably then sign for a new team at a very low weekly wage and still be earning his current weekly salary, until the end of this season anyway. Yes they "tear up" the old contract when a player signs with another team, but no doubt the signing team and United would be able to work something out if United agreed to pay, say, 80-90% of the weekly wages until the end of the year.
   708. Swedish Chef Posted: November 14, 2022 at 04:00 AM (#6105430)
I don't think Ronaldo will play for peanuts even if he still had the United money. Bet he goes to the Middle East and scores one last payday. Maybe MLS could be interesting for him, though his newfound heel persona might not give him Beckham's endorsement deals.
   709. jmurph Posted: November 14, 2022 at 08:16 AM (#6105439)
Arsenal and City were supposed to have played earlier this season but the match was postponed for some reason. Was it the death of the queen, maybe? Anyway, that leaves us in a situation in which we don't know when they'll play next, and it may well not be until 26 April, as part of an absolutely brutal stretch where they play City on the road, Chelsea at home, and Newcastle on the road in consecutive weeks. If this thing is still in play by then, that's the gauntlet. There's every chance that even a good team comes away from those three weeks with no points, which would presumably be a dagger in the heart of their season at that point.

Yeah I'm pretty sure I've mentioned at least twice previously in this thread that City have had a very easy schedule so far compared to the other top teams. It's entirely too easy to imagine De Bruyne picking up an injury in the World Cup and things not really ever coming together for City after the break (obviously every good team has World Cup injury risk, they're not special in that regard, it's just that he's particularly important and has been fairly injury prone over the past few years).

   710. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 14, 2022 at 10:18 AM (#6105451)
Enjoy the WC, lads ... reckon I'll see you on Boxing Day; though if this thread stay open, I'll pop in now and again to ruminate over any January window transfer rumours (like about one Ronaldo) that may arise.
   711. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 14, 2022 at 11:06 AM (#6105458)
There's a new WC thread.
   712. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 14, 2022 at 11:56 AM (#6105461)
I know there is, that's why I posted in this thread.
   713. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 14, 2022 at 12:10 PM (#6105463)
if that's a statement about this particular world cup (or even FIFA world cups generally), then full respect.
   714. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 14, 2022 at 12:22 PM (#6105466)
It is. I can stomach the bribery that gave it Qatar (that's usually par for the course) ... I *might* have weathered the blatant lying that resulted in a complete disruption of domestic FA schedules and seasons (enjoy the cold beer in your air-conditioned stadiums, everyone!) but I just won't ignore/sportswash the corpses and human misery this WC hath wrought. I felt pretty awful about Russia 2018 (and even MORE so about it today) and I'm not going to repeat that.
Just going to spend the next 6 weeks checking off the injuries and thinking about January.
It *does* make me wonder what the knock-on effects of this WC will be ... I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a bunch of mid-tier and lower teams, that don't have a lot of internationals in their squads make charges up the various top tier league tables after the break.
   715. Mefisto Posted: November 14, 2022 at 12:22 PM (#6105467)
I'm with you CoB.
   716. Baldrick Posted: November 14, 2022 at 01:00 PM (#6105470)
I will also be skipping the WC. I didn't watch 2018 either, and while it's a bummer to miss out on the big event, it's not THAT big of a bummer.

If you want to watch some soccer, the women's leagues are continuing. Arsenal v. Man United on Saturday is a pretty exciting matchup.
   717. Infinite Yost (Voxter) Posted: November 14, 2022 at 04:18 PM (#6105501)
obviously every good team has World Cup injury risk, they're not special in that regard, it's just that he's particularly important and has been fairly injury prone over the past few years


He's not the earth-bestriding genius that De Bruyne is, but Arsenal is a profoundly diminished squad without Saka on the pitch. They have other weapons, but he is easily their most imaginative player, and when he's not in Arsenal can end up in this situation where they dominate possession and never get off a good shot, which is deeply annoying.
   718. Infinite Yost (Voxter) Posted: November 14, 2022 at 04:21 PM (#6105502)
I'll be watching the WC, but it lacks the drama (and, frankly, the quality) that club football has for me, especially now that the Gunners are back in the thick of things after so long.
   719. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 14, 2022 at 10:41 PM (#6105562)
United still owes Ronaldo about $20 million under the contract. I'd be shocked if they get out of the contract for less than $10 million, and my guess would be higher, maybe a lot higher. They will still probably do it.

If they were only a few million dollars apart it would have happened in the offseason and even if it didn't there wouldn't be so much public fighting about this right now.
   720. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 14, 2022 at 11:28 PM (#6105570)
I'm in agreement some sort of buyout is going to happen, I absolutely believe ManU is stuck with doing something along those lines.
I also believe Ronaldo is going to make a very sour face when he sees what people are going to offer him for his services going forward, but that's another discussion ...
Over/Under $15 million?
I'll take the under, but it'll be higher than many would expect.
After the WC, Ronaldo has no need to cave and can just sit it out and collect the paychecks.
   721. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 15, 2022 at 12:21 AM (#6105581)
If Ronaldo doesn't need to cave, then the buyout will have to be very high.

I think the counterargument that people are making is that he only has a very few years left as a good player, and he is so competitive/desperate to be seen playing well he will give up some significant amount of money to get back on the field in a good spot for the next half season. The argument makes some sense, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Right now he is worth basically nothing to United probably, and it's likely that he has close to the same value to most other teams he would be willing to play for. That leaves only teams that would start him most of the time, of which there are very few that he would be willing to play for. People are saying Porto, but even if they wanted him, how much of his salary would they pay? $5 million for half a season? United eats $10 million and Ronaldo the other $5?

I'm making up numbers here, but it doesn't look great. If United could save $10 million of the $20 million they owed him I would be ecstatic. That's free money.
   722. Fancy Pants Handle struck out swinging Posted: November 15, 2022 at 07:05 AM (#6105587)
It *does* make me wonder what the knock-on effects of this WC will be ... I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a bunch of mid-tier and lower teams, that don't have a lot of internationals in their squads make charges up the various top tier league tables after the break.

Dismemberment United has by far the least exposure among the contenders from players expected to suffer WC stress. Just saying...
   723. SoSH U at work Posted: November 15, 2022 at 07:11 AM (#6105588)
Dismemberment United has by far the least exposure among the contenders from players expected to suffer WC stress. Just saying...


Or midweek games in Europe to deal with, as Pep noted.
   724. Textbook Editor Posted: November 15, 2022 at 09:33 AM (#6105608)
#721--That's the thing I keep coming back to... Who on Earth would pay Ronaldo anywhere close what he perceives is his "earned" weekly wages?

Even if he dropped in MLS's lap, each away game he would be heckled non-stop all game long (even if not on the pitch). I think there's at least a 50/50 chance he's completely done after the WC--he'll still train or do whatever it takes to get the $ out of United through the end of the season, but he won't don the shirt again, and then when he realizes no one will sign him after the season in any top league, he packs it in.
   725. Spivey Posted: November 15, 2022 at 09:45 AM (#6105610)
I think Ronaldo's options are basically Sporting (at a big discount), Atletico (need goals, have money, made a signing similar with Suarez), or overseas. Or retire.

I guess the Vegas lawsuit stuff is cleared up so Ronaldo can come to the US now? I still don't see it. I think it'd need to be China or a Middle East league. Wasn't there a report of him almost getting transfered to Qatar or somewhere last summer?

Real Madrid were very smart to let him and Ramos both walk exactly when they did. It looks even better because of the CL, of course, but they let each of them go pretty much exactly when they stopped being world class.
   726. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 15, 2022 at 10:05 AM (#6105616)
I think it'd need to be China

I can't imagine it would be China; have they signed literally anybody meaningful in 5 years?
Their league took off like a rocket ... and then exploded like one.

Middle East seems a far more likely bet, perhaps he'll find the weather at the World Cup to his liking and never leave ...
   727. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 15, 2022 at 01:03 PM (#6105640)
Oh just ####### fuck off already FIFA and choke on a giant satchel of Richards, Infantino!


The head of international soccer body FIFA on Tuesday called for a ceasefire in Ukraine during the 2022 World Cup, which will begin next week in Qatar.

Gianni Infantino addressed world leaders at the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in Indonesia, telling them soccer was a “force for good” and could be a “trigger for a positive gesture, for a sign or a message of hope,” according to comments posted on FIFA’s website.

“We are not naïve to believe that football can solve the world’s problems,” Infantino said, but added “maybe the current World Cup starting in five days can really be that positive trigger.”

Infantino said his “plea” was for world leaders to “think on a temporary ceasefire for one month for the duration of the FIFA World Cup.”


Link
   728. Pirate Joe Posted: November 15, 2022 at 08:56 PM (#6105712)
I don't have any idea how a European soccer star's contract is written, but if it were allowable and I was running United I would tell Ronaldo that he is suspended without pay indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team. And if he fights it you can site him refusing to go into a game, him walking out of the stadium before the end of a game, and his comments that he has no respect for the manager.

Tell him that you will consider a reinstatement when he offers a full, sincere apology and agrees to end all the crap, and not a moment sooner.

   729. Mefisto Posted: November 15, 2022 at 09:29 PM (#6105713)
Sounds good to me.
   730. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 16, 2022 at 03:09 AM (#6105735)
I'll bring the popcorn, but then I loathe United AND Ronaldo, so ... my delight in *both* their miseries IS a bit biased ...
   731. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 18, 2022 at 08:18 AM (#6106043)
Manchester United say they have "initiated appropriate steps" following Cristiano Ronaldo's explosive, unsanctioned interview with sources telling ESPN they are seeking to terminate his deal as well as potentially suing for breach of contract.

United have waited until the full extent of Ronaldo's comments were made public before deciding on their response and after the final part of the interview with Piers Morgan was aired on Thursday in the UK, the club, according to sources, are seeking to end the 37-year-old's contract, which runs until June. Sources added that United have appointed lawyers to explore the possibility of suing Ronaldo for breach of contract.

It looks like both sides are really pushing to break this off. I would guess United's moves may just be posturing for leverage in buyout negotiations, but a lawsuit would be fun too.
   732. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 18, 2022 at 11:59 AM (#6106061)
Speaking of popcorn and good times


Fifa has confirmed alcohol will be banned for World Cup fans at grounds in a major and unprecedented volte-face just two days before the tournament will kick off in Qatar. The news that it will not be sold inside or around the perimeter of stadiums was confirmed by Fifa in a terse statement on Friday afternoon.

“Following discussions between host country authorities and Fifa, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the Fifa Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters.

“There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero, which will remain available at all Qatar’s World Cup stadiums.”


NO BEER MAKES WC FANS GO SOMETHING, SOMETHING!

Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha ... hah!
Serves everyone right.
   733. Fancy Pants Handle struck out swinging Posted: November 18, 2022 at 12:57 PM (#6106070)
Serves everyone right.

No, I believe you will find nobody gets served.
   734. Baldrick Posted: November 18, 2022 at 01:29 PM (#6106072)
Well yeah, "as long as I've got my Bud Zero, everything's cool" is a pretty common thing you hear.
   735. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 18, 2022 at 01:34 PM (#6106073)
No, I believe you will find nobody gets served.


I find schadenfreude is a dish best served ... very cold.
   736. jmurph Posted: November 18, 2022 at 02:47 PM (#6106088)
I have never personally been involved in bribery nor graft at such a high level (or I guess any level, really), but it's interesting to learn they don't sort through any of the details before signing off on illicit deals. Like it didn't occur to FIFA to even ask about alcohol sales, let alone slightly more important things like slave labor and widespread worker death.

But hey life is a journey and it's important to keep learning.
   737. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 18, 2022 at 05:16 PM (#6106110)
Once you start accepting bribes, is anything off the table?

Then again, while I suppose I can imagine taking a bribe to overlook bigotry, slavery, and other human rights violations, no way could I be bribed to overlook curtails on beer.
   738. Fancy Pants Handle struck out swinging Posted: November 18, 2022 at 06:08 PM (#6106115)
Once you start accepting bribes, is anything off the table?

Yes, the cash. It's under the table, duh.
   739. Spivey Posted: November 18, 2022 at 06:09 PM (#6106116)
Were the beer details really not sorted, or did Qatar just change the rules right before the tournament because they have leverage now. Qatar also promised a bunch of other #### (more hotels, details about how they'd keep the fields cool, etc.) that they were too far along in the process to do anything about by the time it was lies. I'm sure FIFA knew some of this was BS or didn't care about some of these changes. Other ones, I'm sure they're probably upset about - I would expect they don't like this alcohol change because it is bad publicity for everyone. But the fact is it's too late to do anything and Qatar probably have some leverage on FIFA since, well, they bribed FIFA and that being stated openly by Qatar I think would affect FIFA more than Qatar.
   740. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: November 18, 2022 at 07:42 PM (#6106121)
“There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero, which will remain available at all Qatar’s World Cup stadiums.”

Well, that's the end of me
   741. Textbook Editor Posted: November 18, 2022 at 08:33 PM (#6106124)
I said to TE Jr. today that I hope the teams have thought through the (to me) very real, non-zero possibility that something could go wrong during the tournament. Whether it's jailing English fans simply for chanting drunkenly, or arresting gay fans for holding hands, etc., it seems like this could all be on the table. What would a national team do if they knew that their fans were being arrested for behavior that (anywhere else) would be completely normal and expected at one of their games? Issue statements and continue to play? Or do a wildcat boycott to undermine FIFA/Qatar/this whole corrupt process?

The thing is, once the tournament gets underway, the players themselves have a LOT of power here, and they COULD use it. The top players--while they care about their country, for sure--get their paycheck from their club teams (most of whom would not care at all if they stopped playing for human rights reasons--though of course for the selfish reason of not wanting their asset to get hurt). If Qatar starts jailing people for bullshit reasons, the players COULD simply refuse to play, the tournament stops, everyone goes home, Qatar is disgraced, and--I guarantee this, because FIFA would have sponsors to answer to--at some point later FIFA would come out with a "plan" to finish the WC in Summer 2023 at major cities across Europe simply to satisfy the sponsors.

So while it may seem Qatar has all the leverage now, I'd argue if they really decide they're going to full-on just start arresting people for bullshit, the players ultimately have way more leverage to affect change... Should they actually choose to use it. Again, I sincerely hope the leaders on these teams have at least kicked around the idea of what they might do if things go south.
   742. Infinite Yost (Voxter) Posted: November 18, 2022 at 08:48 PM (#6106127)
The possibility is real, but the Qatari government has billions of reasons to try to live-and-let-live in re: western social norms. The beer thing, I think, actually makes sense as a money grab by FIFA that the Qataris went along with.
   743. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 18, 2022 at 08:50 PM (#6106128)
or did Qatar just change the rules right before the tournament because they have leverage now.


From everyone's reactions? It's this.
   744. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 18, 2022 at 08:51 PM (#6106129)
To add ...
Multiple sponsors have raised concerns or issues with Fifa about their contracts at the Qatar World Cup, the Guardian can reveal. It gives football’s governing body another headache hours after it was forced to ban alcohol from stadiums by the Qatari authorities, a decision that complicated its $75m (£63m) contract with the brewer of Budweiser, Anheuser-Busch InBev.

One representative of another major sponsor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that many partners had felt “let down by Fifa in lots of ways”. They also indicated there had been informal discussions about potential contractual breaches and reneging on deliverables.

“Everyone has a gripe in some way or form,” they added. “There is a lot of ‘regrouping’ going [on] to understand what the options are contractually speaking.”


WC FEVER ... CATCH IT!
   745. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 18, 2022 at 08:53 PM (#6106130)
The World: Seriously, Qatar, WTF? Now?

Qatar: What are you talking about, racists!
   746. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 18, 2022 at 08:55 PM (#6106131)
the players themselves have a LOT of power here, and they COULD use it.

Sure and monkeys could live in my butt ... and fly out of my butt to breed with other monkeys that live in other people's butts and then return to people's butts to lay eggs and prepare for the next generation of butt monkeys.
   747. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 18, 2022 at 09:16 PM (#6106134)

Fans who have travelled to Qatar as part of a controversial paid-for supporters programme have been told by Qatari authorities that their cash has been cut.

The Fan Leader Network is a scheme run by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Qatari agency responsible for the World Cup. It has recruited supporters from around the globe, offering travel and accommodation and a place at the World Cup opening ceremony in return for enthusiasm and positive social media content. But the Guardian can reveal that a per diem payment for food and drink, upon which some supporters were depending, was cancelled just as fans were packing to travel to the Gulf.

Members of the Fan Leader Network from two European countries said their payments had been cancelled three days ago and that authorities had blamed the decision on the bad press which followed the revelation that fans were being paid.


There's nothing as sweet as blocking the fury of bad press like ... generating MORE bad press?
These Qatari guys are GREAT at this!
   748. Textbook Editor Posted: November 18, 2022 at 10:52 PM (#6106138)
"The truth is, these were not bright guys, and things got out of hand."
   749. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 19, 2022 at 01:26 PM (#6106160)
Today I have very strong feelings. Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker.

Later it was pointed out that in his opening monologue, he had missed out half the world’s population. “I feel like a woman too!” Infantino added.

Don't we all, Gianni, don't we all?
   750. Textbook Editor Posted: November 19, 2022 at 04:26 PM (#6106189)
And this was the "improvement" on Blatter. Pathetic.
   751. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: November 19, 2022 at 05:55 PM (#6106193)
Guys are welcome to keep using this thread but there is also a World Cup thread up and running. Do what you want but just want to make sure you know.
   752. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 19, 2022 at 07:03 PM (#6106198)
See posts 711-716.
   753. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: November 19, 2022 at 07:27 PM (#6106200)
Ah OK fair enough and actually appreciated. The issues are bad but I’ll be watching anyway.

It’s been fascinating. Qatar are ####### this up so badly. Any hope they had of some good press has gone completely out the window.
   754. Baldrick Posted: November 19, 2022 at 10:36 PM (#6106207)
Pretty exciting WSL game today between Arsenal and Man United. Big win for United, who I still don't think are quite ready to displace the traditional big 3 (Chelsea, City, Arsenal), but it's getting closer. They've gotten off to hot starts the last two years, but then tailed off quite a bit once the new year rolled around. Most likely that'll happen again again. But this is the first year where I've really saw them as serious contenders. Somewhat grudgingly since I'm pretty unimpressed with the coach, and I still think they need strengthening in some key roles. They've got some excellent supporting players in the attack but really only Toone and Russo would get basically any minutes on any of the other top teams. And even then, they'd likely be subs. Still, the defense has been quite impressive, and coming back from behind to beat Arsenal away could absolutely be one of those turning point moments.
   755. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 20, 2022 at 10:17 PM (#6106264)
As if Ronaldo couldn't get any more detestable, there's a new ad for him shilling for Binance and NFTs.

I actually watched the ad believe it or not, and I just realized I don't think I've ever heard Ronaldo speak before, at least not in English. I would never have guessed that.
   756. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 21, 2022 at 01:32 PM (#6106313)
Our rainbow bucket hat. We are so proud of them, BUT news on the ground tonight is our welsh female supporters wearing them in #Qatar are having them taken off them, Not the men, just Women.


World Cup 2022 fever!
   757. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 21, 2022 at 03:01 PM (#6106325)
Qatar 2022, everyone is welcome, if you're a rich Qatari male!

FIFA have told Belgium to remove the word 'Love' from their away kit, which also includes rainbow trim.

Belgium say they will wear their red kit for all group-stage games and deal with the situation if they go through.


Tweet
   758. jmurph Posted: November 22, 2022 at 10:43 AM (#6106436)
Pep Guardiola is close to agreeing a new contract at Manchester City with the club now confident he will extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium, sources have told ESPN.

The 51-year-old is set to pen a two-year extension which will keep him at City until 2025. His current deal is due to expire in June. City have so far refused to comment.

Klopp and Pep realize every couple of years there aren't actually any better jobs in the world.
   759. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 22, 2022 at 11:06 AM (#6106440)
"Deeply concerned"
That's almost a harrumph!
The Guardian also understands Fifa is deeply concerned about several incidents around the match, including Welsh FA staff and fans being confronted by security for bringing the hats into the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and a US fan with a rainbow flag being confronted on the metro.


Surprise!
   760. Spivey Posted: November 22, 2022 at 12:48 PM (#6106453)
It's official - Ronaldo is no longer with United.
   761. Mefisto Posted: November 22, 2022 at 12:58 PM (#6106457)
Looks like United saved 10 million off the contract too. They never should have signed him this time around, but at least they cut their losses a bit.
   762. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 22, 2022 at 02:57 PM (#6106482)
Have fun in the Gulf, Ronaldo!
   763. Textbook Editor Posted: November 22, 2022 at 10:38 PM (#6106539)
I'm legitimately stunned the United-Ronaldo thing resolved with United out no $. Maybe the threat of a lawsuit and the extended time that would take entered into it (as it was likely going to cost him the rest of the season to litigate the matter).

However, as #762 points out, it's much more likely Ronaldo had a deal in place somewhere (likely a petrol nation), assuming he was free and clear to transfer.

Is playing in a Qatar league worse than MLS? I gotta think worse, right?

Don't let the door hit you in the arse, etc. etc.
   764. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: November 23, 2022 at 05:55 AM (#6106562)
It's right around $20 million. (£17m). United would always take this in half a heartbeat. The surprise is definitely on the Ronaldo side.
   765. Mefisto Posted: November 26, 2022 at 06:35 PM (#6106882)
Reports say Saudi Arabia have offered Ronaldo $225 million and he'll let them know after the WC. Definitely 2 parties who deserve each other.
   766. bestergonomicgamingchair.com Posted: November 30, 2022 at 09:15 PM (#6107406)
As we were saying ...
Cristiano Ronaldo has received a formal proposal from the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr that would pay him almost €200m (£173m) a season on a contract to 2025.

The 37-year-old is a free agent after leaving Manchester United and a big part of the proposed money is being put up by sponsors so it is unclear whether issues relating to image rights could be a stumbling block if Ronaldo chooses to pursue the move.


Dismemberment Arabia
   767. jmurph Posted: December 01, 2022 at 08:29 AM (#6107426)
Just strictly from a soccer perspective, for a player who has made more than 1 billion dollars in his career to go all the way down to that level just to get paid is such a bonkers idea to me. Surely a team still competing in Europe, or even MLS, would be a more interesting way to spend his final years in the game.
   768. Mefisto Posted: December 09, 2022 at 09:41 PM (#6108960)
Grant Wahl has died. That's terrible news. Terrific soccer reporter.
   769. AuntBea odeurs de parfum de distance sociale Posted: December 09, 2022 at 09:52 PM (#6108962)
That is very, very sad. He was at the game they are saying, and was not known to have been ill.
   770. Mefisto Posted: December 09, 2022 at 09:58 PM (#6108963)
Holy ####. Wahl's brother claims that Grant was murdered by the Qatari government.

ETA: However, there are news reports that he collapsed during the game and died before he got to the hospital. It's terrible either way, but I hope the brother is wrong.
   771. Mefisto Posted: December 09, 2022 at 10:30 PM (#6108968)
Apparently he had been ill:

From ESPN:

U.S. media seated near him said Wahl was stricken while in the media press box at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time and could not be revived. Wahl was covering his eighth World Cup.

He wrote Monday that he had visited a hospital while in Qatar.

"My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you,'' Wahl wrote. "What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort. I didn't have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis. They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I'm already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno.''
   772. Textbook Editor Posted: December 09, 2022 at 11:31 PM (#6108971)
#771--If that report is proved true, that's really sad, because it seems at least plausible he may have had a cardiac episode Monday that was missed. If a male of a certain age (i.e., Wahl's age) reports to a hospital with chest pain, you'd think any competent doctor would at least either run an EKG or the blood test to see if a cardiac episode is underway.

Unbelievably sad.
   773. Baldrick Posted: December 10, 2022 at 06:36 AM (#6108979)
I literally sat next to Grant for the US-England semifinal at the Women's World Cup in France three years ago. He was every bit as nice as everyone says.

Just horrible.
   774. Infinite Yost (Voxter) Posted: December 22, 2022 at 05:51 PM (#6110593)
Well, the real football starts again the day after Xmas.

This piece from The Athletic tallies up the WC minutes that various EPL players & teams saw. Not surprisingly, City had the most minutes, but Spurs had Lloris play every minute of the tournament and Harry Kane played every minute of England's run.

Arsenal's players didn't see that many minutes, but they did have something I dreaded happen -- Gabriel Jesus got hurt, and is out at least until February. So instead of adding depth for a title run, they're trying to replace a starter on a team that was already thin.
   775. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: December 22, 2022 at 10:28 PM (#6110634)
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