Then there'd be fewer wars and too many people on Earth, including more French! Do you really want that?

^ But the French don't get killed in wars anymore...

WHAT??

The French are OK. Their food is great. I want more good food.

since when?


what?


great but comes in small pieces.

Since WWII

I'm talking about major numbers not a few getting killed in Afghanistan or something twice a year or something.

well that was the last big war they fought...

I'm take it you're using the word 'fought' lightly there.

just don't tell them

fought = surrender?

FIFA had long been politicized .. Sine 1974 the president is never really challenged and the vote is something pre-agreed upon .. Bin Hammam is an idiot, he could have waited while Blatter served his last term .. When Havelange served his last term, he recommended the FIFA executive committe to hand the reigns to his secretary general at the time, Sepp Blatter.

FIFA is a corrupt organization, yes or else how on earth would Qatar win the bid .. But Blatter in particular, I believe has done a lot to bring the game to a much bigger audience. What makes him loose credability in the good work he has done, is the corrupt state of the organization.

That said, Bin Hammam has done a lot for Asian football .. But I think after his country won the bid, his head grew so big, he thought he owned the joint. Proves to me that yes FIFA is corrupt, but not to that extent

In Schwarzenegger accent: "It's naht that bad of a start!" Sorry, couldn't resist. But like I said, at least you acknowledge there is corruption and underhand dealings that go in FIFA (which really shouldn't, and everyone should work towards minimizing such negative things).

Also agree what you said about Bin Hammam, R7.

These never get old...

That looks like a Sunday league game with palm trees behind the goal and all! there was a big miss from a Qatar-Uzbekistan game, nothing tops that... seeing as it was Asian championships!

Who cares what game was it. The way he shot the ball high is f*cking hilarious!

Sepp Blatter: Does sport need a World-Anti-Corruption-Agency?
You don't need to speak German to know his answer

It's not politics. It's business. Although both tend to be redundant from time to time. Bin Hammam obviously underestimated Blatter. First, Blatter promised him to become his successor while he actually never though of resigning as FIFA-president. And, Blatter has the iron support of the dwarf associations in Africa and many others. Which FAs publicly executed the English in Zurich? Benin, Haiti, Kongo...one country, one vote. Total bs for FIFA. Associations like the Faroe Islands with a few hundred member have the same vote as our DFB with more than 6 million members...

Well, didn't know where to post my question and also didn't want to start a new topic (but I will if there's some interest) - anybody gonna watch the Copa Libertadores final today?

Who's it between and what time?

I know Santos are in it, isn't this the one with the 2 legs?

Two legs, Santos with Elano and Neymar (Ganso will make it for the 2nd leg) against Peñarol of Uruguay. Starting 1:50 AM.

ah theres a name i remember Elano. liked that player shame didnt work out well for him like

I'll definitely check out the 2nd leg to finally actually see him play then.

Cheers, Fillipo. If I can't stay up to watch it, I'll definitely Sky+ it.

How was the game Fillipo? I watched the NHL game instead in all honesty. Will definitely watch the 2nd leg to see the reason behind this massive hype of Ganso though.

I too watched the NHL... I watched this game between periods though... it looked... well South-American... that is, a bit messy.

This is a bit vague, but I remember some football tournament or skill thing being setup last year that was meant to happen at the O2 arena (I think). Quite a few players had signed up to it, Cristiano, Villa etc. Think Sky were going to broadcast it. Though I'm sure I read it got delayed until this year, anyone got any idea what I am on about or if it's happening?

Edit: think it's called A:3K?

Ya I heard about that last year, but it got cancelled because both Gerrard and Rooney pulled out after England lost in the World Cup. They dropped out b/c they were embarrassed from their performance in South Africa I believe and it threw the whole thing out of whack so they cancelled it.

Yes - messy, but less then usual. Ended up 0-0; Santos being the more tactical team, while Penarol tired and tried all game long but couldn't simply hit the goal. Neymar is a bit of a filthy trickster. Didn't like him. Also, Ganso was missing, or at least someone who'd make the final pass for the attack.

And a pathetic individual to boot. Don't like him either. Another young primadonna in the making (some would say already made). Now Nilmar, now that's a player I can like.

I've heard he likes to throw himself to ground quite a bit, to say the least.

yep, one of his specialties

He'd probably be ridiculed over here then. Is he still set for Madrid?

I don't like his hair. No doubt it would start a craze over here.

Would take Lukaku over Neymar any day. Dont need another Big Ego in the dressing room

Great new Blatter story. He wanted to visit the final of the Womens WC in Frankfurt, Germany. Ordered a refit of the stadium for 10.000 Euros, so that he'd have a better view on the pitch
Even our total democrat Theo Zwanziger, DFB-President was smart enough to decline...

Did he make a special request for them all to wear tighter clothing? What a idiot.

His wike page makes me laugh and shows what a complete joke the man is. Changes to the game made under Blatter:

*The Silver Goal to replace the Golden Goal

*World Cup Winners don't qualify automatically

*National Associations must enforce all red cards and suspend players, even if a players innocence is later proven in TV replays as Blatter believes the referees say is final and that mistakes are part of the game - Fortunately the English FA and other associations have refused to follow this one.

*Players booked for taking off their shirt after a goal in case it offense conservative nations

*No high-altitude games

What a complete joke, none of these have changed the game for the better, just stupid things.

Didn't we get those sorts of games last summer in SA, or were they not over the limit?

Never got why the shirt thing was punished...

Give me one nation conservative enough to take offense to that. Sure it's not the greatest thing to do, but in the spur of a moment it's fine IMO. And yellow for this? How many times this has resulted in a player getting banned for the next game? A joke of a rule, fine players/clubs $5,000 or $10,000 if you have to, but don't have him miss a game.

Exactly, it's done in the moment and it's hardly offensive it is? I always remember Giggs great FA Cup goal. Not exactly what I want to see very often, but offensive? Not at all.

I've always wondered this too, I mean players swap shirts at the end of the match right and plenty just put them on their shoulder and don't have an undershirt on so why wouldn't that be offensive too to the supposed countries?! Why don't they get booked then?

That rule has so many flaws.

Exactly. I think it's one of the most stupid rules ever. Maybe UEFA thinks people turn off the TVs as soon as the match is over. Even if players don't take their shirts off after scoring, they almost always do at the end of the match, as you mentioned. And the worst bit is that the pathetic media is mum on this matter.

The one about the shirts is just really dumb. im sure theres been a few stupid sending offs cause of that stupid rule.
Besides sometimes its nice to see teh bodys >:3

FIFA are pathetic, especially the bold bit. So because he's resigned, you're not going to look into these bribes anymore and will just assume he's innocent? What a joke.

No more Jack Warner though, that's one step in the right direction.

I'd be bad even if that sentence had ended at "... have been closed"...

Strange yes ... But that happens in these organizations, you resign means they no longer can question you about allegations. And since it is an internal investigation, its over the day he handed in his resignation.

What should happen is FIFA raising this matter to external investigation bodies .. But we all know why FIFA doesn't like opening up its closets to strangers

One step to the right direction? really!?

99 corrupt individuals is better than 100!

You are genuine kurt ... But for FIFA it is more like they will recruit or promote another of his caliber