- 11:13 AM
- 12/26/24
A bus carrying 50 Russian fans has been stopped by riot police, intending to deport them, as UEFA state that Russia has been given a suspended suspension. As it were.
If their fans play up again, the team will be kicked out. This only applies to incidents in the stadium, though, so they can do what they like outside.
No word yet on whether the carrying of concealed gum shields is to be made illegal
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:26 AM on June 14, 2016
The Louis van Gaal press conference today was powerful, emotional and rivetting.
It was good to see a high profile manager let the assembled press vipers see how their malicious words and relentless pursuit of the sensational affects people.
It was telling that not one of them would admit to feeling uncomfortable.
Of course, being the pack dogs that they are, seeing him wounded, they won't back off, they will go in for the kill, with glee.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:58 PM on December 23, 2015
I think it's pretty standard for yo yoclubs like Birmingham and West Brom to have a relegation clause. It benefits both parties: if the team goes down they can't afford prem wages, and the player wants neither a drop in wages or status.
It's a right old merry go round at the top, isn't it? Mourinho gone, and likely to fetch up at Manchester Utd when Van Gaal gets the boot, Pellegrino likely on his bike to be replaced by Gardiola. It's like musical chairs and none of 'em know where they will be when the music stops.
Meanwhile, here's a brilliant article on the special gone
posted by Fat Buddha at 12:31 PM on December 22, 2015
New Zealands Sonny Boy Williams is my new favourite rugby player, after giving his medal away to a nipper who had fallen foul of a shithouse security man
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:23 PM on October 31, 2015
New Zealand are streets ahead of anyone else, but I hope Australia find a way to beat 'em, for the following reasons: New Zealanders tend to be arseholes, not all of 'em, but enough of 'em to put you right off the bastards; Michael Chieka is a witty and droll motherperson; and David Pocock has a hinterland.
I think the formline for Australia is a bit false. Fair enough they got through the so called group of death unbeaten, but England were not very good, and neither were Wales. Any tier 1 team would expect to beat Fiji, however spirited a performance they put up.
So fair play, they beat 3 poor teams, mind you, they did effin hammer England.
Then they struggled against Scotland, a team who would finish bottom of the 6 nations every year, if it wasn't for the hapless Italians, before beating Argentina by the tiniest of gnats cocks.
You don't get to a world cup final by being lucky, they deserve to be there, and I hope they win, but they're going to get hammered.
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:08 PM on October 30, 2015
Well, hello. I'm badly in need of a misery song after Englands extraordinary achievment in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at the rugby world cup
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:03 PM on September 27, 2015
I've always considered Todd Rundgren's "Just One Victory" to be one of the great sports songs, but I think I'm on my own.
posted by Fat Buddha at 09:06 PM on September 25, 2015
Typically astute of Suarez to head for Barcelona as they are on the slide, while Liverpool are on the way up. If he sees out all 5 of his contracted seasons, I will eat my hat
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:25 PM on July 11, 2014
When I made my awful, useless team, it automatically put me in the Spofi league. I am surmising that this is the incorrect league?
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:26 PM on August 24, 2012
I don't usually have much interest in Liverpool Bill, being as they are usually at the top end and we usually stuff 'em, but I am interested this year, because of the signings since January. I read about the owners and how they go about recruitment in the baseball (or is football) teams in the USA, and it doesn't really seem to add up.
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:26 PM on August 12, 2011
I'm not a fan of the top end of the prem, but there is some fascinating stuff at the bottom and the middle.
Swansea tend to try and play a version of the beautiful game so I am looking forward to see how they do.
I'm hoping Martinez has a great season with Wigan, for at least 2 reasons.
I'm hoping, and predicting that McLeish has a rubbish season with Villa.
I'm intrigued by all Bruces buys at Sunderland.
I'm wondering how Pardew will cope with second season syndrome at Newcastle
Jol's appointment at Fulham bodes well for some entertainment, if only in the press conferences.
I'm looking forward to Hodgsons gnomic post match comments.
And, Bill, dear boy..football started back last week, for gawds sake!
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:16 PM on August 12, 2011
Ta. No messing about this year. No sentimental desire to pollute my team with rubbish Birmingham players. Everyone will be hanging on to my coat tails!
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:08 PM on August 12, 2011
I might be in and I might not, I can't figure it out
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:37 PM on August 11, 2011
Barcelona are impossible to defend against; every one of them has an exquisite first touch, every one one of them knows how to make space, and to find space, and to get away from man marker, every one of them can weigh a pass, it is bewildering to watch, to play against must be a dizzying nightmare.
Manchester did OK, and were very competitive, which made for a good match, but the result never really seemed in doubt.
Hurray for the midgets!
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:19 AM on May 29, 2011
I'm a huge fan of Pearsons, and I reckon that his best ever article, closely followed by this one
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:53 PM on August 10, 2010
The General speaks
posted by Fat Buddha at 08:59 AM on August 10, 2010
Nice to see the claret and blue chumps in turmoil just as the season is about to start. I like O Neill, and to have them finish so high so regularly is some achievement, but chuff me he wasted a hell of a lot of money.
posted by Fat Buddha at 08:15 AM on August 10, 2010
The Germans don't like it up 'em. They looked lost when England enjoyed a 5 minute renaissance!
Not sure JJ is being entirely fair on Spain; they have played teams with no real interest in attacking, whereas Germany have played teams with no real talent for defending.
As for toothless Barcelona, they scored 98 goals in the league alone!
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:55 PM on July 05, 2010
Last year a number of riders tweeted enthusiastically throughout the race, but they seem to have been silenced. Michael Rogers seems to building up an entertaining grudge with Cavendish though.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:45 PM on July 05, 2010
Did you know that you can track the HTC team with Google, gives location and will even tell you the speed that they are riding and what their heart rate is.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:11 PM on July 05, 2010
Think yourselves lucky; you could have to put with the incomprehensible Adebayor
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:44 PM on July 03, 2010
I shall miss Maradona's touchline operatics, but Germany not only look formidable, they are pleasing to watch. The speed with which their midfielders get up to support the front men is wonderful to behold and the intelligence of their runs is beautiful..runs are no good though if you don't have colleagues who can anticipate the run and deliver the ball, Germany have such types in abundance. They will take some beating.
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:27 PM on July 03, 2010
It was quite comical seeing Domenech read out the players statement. His heart didn't seem to be in it.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:59 PM on June 20, 2010
Lance denies it. Well, you could blow me down with a feather!
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:51 PM on May 20, 2010
I am a bit pissed off that I am no longer bottom.
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:31 PM on March 13, 2010
NON CONTESTED SCRUMS!
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:33 AM on August 19, 2009
I feel confident that once again I will make an astonishing late run into the top twelve.
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:21 PM on August 18, 2009
Rumours abound of disharmony in the Villa camp, payers fighting each other at pre season tournaments, players not supporting the team when they haven't been picked, that sort of thing.
It's all rather fantastic, unlike my dismal early season form. Is it too early to say I hate this game?
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:53 PM on August 17, 2009
Is there a secret code you need to see the pics?
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:50 PM on August 17, 2009
He fought the bull and lost. Did the bull ask for that fight? I think not. My sympathies are with the bull.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:38 PM on August 17, 2009
Shane Watson will play in the next test and I will zoom up the league!
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:10 PM on July 26, 2009
I suppose it's too late now??
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:07 PM on July 14, 2009
England
Pieterson Flintoff Swann
Australia
Hussey Hughes Watson
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:31 PM on July 07, 2009
It's a damn shame.
posted by Fat Buddha at 08:36 AM on June 28, 2009
David James has given Adams a bit of a slagging in the papers today. Of course, David has never made a mistake in his life, so is uniquely qualified to comment on the shortcomings of others.
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:29 PM on February 14, 2009
Leeds had some bloke called Albert who died lonely and impoverished, but West Ham are generally acknowledged to have been amongst the first of the top clubs to embrace the athleticism and footballing intellect of the black man. I still hate the bastards though.
West Ham, that is, not black men.
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:52 PM on November 08, 2008
That damn table looks righteous enough to these eyes|
Can we call the season closed now? Before I start my inevitable, inexorable, slide down to 15th place?
posted by Fat Buddha at 09:29 PM on August 26, 2008
It's alright, they have agreed that he can pay it back at 5 quid a week.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:18 PM on August 15, 2008
Drood "Watched it on Setanta. Not entirely worth my time."
Think yourself lucky, old chap, I had the misfortune to be sitting in the stands watching it and at one point I commented that I wished I was sat at home, in the warm, with a cup of tea.
It was my youngests first game and I felt a bit guilty when the goal went in and I witnessed his unrestrained joy, as I fear I have condemned him to a life of unutterable misery. The best part for me was that another young man came with us, also his first game and his old man happens to be a Villa fan; it might seem cruel, but I think we did the right thing.
And thanks for pointing out to these crazy yanks that the close season is over, for the vast majority of football fans the new season is well under way!
posted by Fat Buddha at 08:33 AM on August 11, 2008
I'm game for a bash a the Guardian league, as I am so crap at this one!
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:23 PM on July 25, 2008
OK. I'll concede that Squealy might just have edged this one.
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:28 PM on May 10, 2008
Deflated, you don't have to feel sympathy for anyone, if you don't want to. I just heard on the BBC that they have postponed all of Saturdays premiership games as a mark of respect for Eduardo.
posted by Fat Buddha at 08:53 AM on February 26, 2008
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:36 PM on February 25, 2008
And how many compound fractures did those tackles result in? None, as far as I know, but what's your point?
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:19 PM on February 25, 2008
Do you suppose Arsene saw any of the tackles freely available to view here, or was his perch on the moral high ground too elevated?
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:45 PM on February 25, 2008
I don't think anyone is playing down the seriousness of the injury, plenty are overstating the likely length of rehabilitation, though.
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:17 PM on February 25, 2008
I'll get back to you once I'm done sympathizing with Da Silva and his rehab over the next 2 years Enough over emotional hyperbole please. Eduardo is fully expected to be playing again by Christmas.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:12 PM on February 25, 2008
Taylor is getting death threats and apparently some crazed Croat tried to attck him outside the training ground today. The world has gone mad. Decent article on the episode here.
posted by Fat Buddha at 11:23 AM on February 25, 2008
"and Eduardo and the other 21 men on the field all knew that a careless but inadvertent lunge could spell great harm to anyone of them, and conversely, that they could be the ones to provide the lunge." Another video nasty, look at it about 8 seconds in. Has anyone considered that Martin Taylor might be deserving of some sympathy and compassion?
posted by Fat Buddha at 10:21 AM on February 25, 2008
Rodgered, your logic defeats me, are none us to be allowed an opinion about a team we support? Is any good result (it wasn't a victory) gained over a team that loses a player to injury devalued? Almost every article I have read and just about every commentator I have heard believes the that tackle was not motivated by a desire to mutilate and that the resulting injury was horrific accident. One of the best things I have read, written by non Blues fan, can be found here.
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:50 AM on February 25, 2008
Point taken on the dubious penalty, however there is a football cliche that decisions even themselves out over a season, maybe they do, maybe they don't, but Wenger and his team are not children, they will benefit and suffer from poor decisions in every game: Arsenal were lucky with their first goal, as the keeper was fouled, so there's some balance, right there. So they weren't robbed. I am glad for Arsene however that he has finally found a decent optician, even if he does remain very one eyed.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:32 PM on February 24, 2008
Wengers comments smack of a PR exercise to me, rather than a genuine apology. The PFA should be raising hell and Taylor should sue him. Wengers petulance was a result of his well known and childish inability to lose with dignity. Not they they lost, but you would have thought that they had, the way they reacted. Let's not forget a heroic performance by the Blue boys and two seriously classy finishes from McFadden.
posted by Fat Buddha at 12:30 PM on February 24, 2008
I have seen that tackle on both Sky and the BBC many times now and if you watch it, you will see that Taylor was going for the ball and caught Eduardo following through, after that ball had gone. Had it not been for the severity of the injury, I doubt if he would have got a red card. The BBC radio commenators at the time were surprised by the card, the Sky commentators were surprised by the card, the half time analysts on Sky were surprised by the card. Ex pro's on the BBC afternoon sports show said it was not a malicious tackle and the card was harsh. Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson, who might know a thing or two about tackling, agreed that there was no malice in the tackle. Steve Bruce has said that it may not even have warranted a yellow in different circumstances. All of which suggests that while it was foul, it was no worse than dozens of other fouls committed in every game, ever played, but it had horrific and unusual results. To demonise Taylor over this is pathetic and unjust; to call for his banning from the sport is, simply, moronic.
posted by Fat Buddha at 10:32 AM on February 24, 2008
Wigan only survived by a gnats cock last season; they will soon disappear back into the hinterlands of our soccer consciousness, never to return.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:36 PM on November 28, 2007
Any man or committee that uses the phrase "root and branch" is unworthy of respect, in my book. Not that I have a book.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:28 PM on November 23, 2007
Steve Bruce for Chelsea! Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaassssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:53 PM on September 20, 2007
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Looks like Kalinic of Croatia has been banished from the squad after refusing to go on a sub in the 88th minute, claiming a bad back. Drama.