World Football Thread XVI - The demise of one Ronaldo and the rise of another

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by ískallin
What I dont like about him is all the whining he does (I am wearing my rose tinted glasses so Man U probably are just as bad )

Cesc ... whining? Surely not. I don't believe it - sounds like Manc propaganda to me. Examples!

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Frozzy
Reading in 6th position in the Premiership

"We're all going on a European tour..."

Make the most of it. Promoted sides usually get sussed out the second season in the Premiership.

[ískallin]

Cort Haus: West Ham -Arsenal.. (thats the only example I can think of )

Reading aint getting relegated, not with Ívar Ingimarsson and Björn Bjarnarson

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by ískallin
Cort Haus: West Ham -Arsenal.. (thats the only example I can think of )

That game was particularly troublesome for Arsenal because of the xenephobic rantics of Alan Pardew which lead to Le Boss getting into big trouble.

Bit harsh to slate a players personality because of one match. Cesc does have the ability to get passionate for the cause and his team.

[Harovan]

I hear Liverpool went in the hand of yanks?

Does that mean they introduce an egg shaped ball soon?

[ískallin]

Liverpool with or without yanks

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yanks

[Harovan]

Can we have Berlusconi buy an English club too? Or does he already own one, I'm not quite up to date?

[duke o' york]

Originally posted by Colon™
How many more chest-butts must Materazzi endure?

Not nearly enough.

What will Beckham's next haircut look like?

Even more of an idiot?

Is Ronaldo really a diver?

Yes, and it's a shame to see him waste his undoubted talent by feeling he has to cheat.

Whither Onyewu?

Back to Eindhoven at the end of the season more than likely.

Will Tottenham ever claim its rightful place at the top of the Premier League?

Not in the next ten years at least. And rightful?!!!!

Will Mourinho ever shut up?

Only by a coffin lid. Not that I wish him dead of course.

Is Ronaldo really thick-boned?

No: he has the mighty physique of Frank Lampard, Mark Viduka, Dean Windass, Andy Fordham, William Perry, and many other top sportsmen.

Will Blatter ever shut up?

See above

How many more weeks of holiday do Italian footballers get to enjoy?

Even though they may be footballers in the Italian Leagues, I'm sure they'd much rather be playing the game than sitting at home on a Sunday afternoon. The problems of violence in Italian crowds are shocking, not to mention the racism, and the sooner the authorities clamp down on offenders the better, so that the majority of Italian fans can get their fix of football again.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Yanks

I'd rather the Saudis TBH, anyone behind the Goldolphin organisation must really know their stuff.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Pretty good article in the Toronto Star about Italian soccer and the hooliganism allowed to thrive there:

http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/178516

Italy must act against ultras now TheStar.com - columnists - Italy must act against ultras now

Infamous fanatics threaten the game

February 06, 2007
Cathal Kelly

The fan violence which claimed the life of police officer Filippo Raciti last weekend has its roots in Italian soccer's ultra culture.

Everyone in Sicily knew Friday's game between bitter rivals Catania and Palermo was going to explode. In a cruel irony, a pre-match tribute to an official killed during soccer violence in Calabria the previous weekend was drowned out by the sound of battles raging outside the stadium. Nonetheless, there were no police officers in the stands once the fighting began.

Perhaps they were too busy already. More likely, they were too afraid to venture into ultra territory.

Ultras are the most extreme supporters of Italian soccer – real fanatics, rather than fans. Every club has at least one ultra supporters group; the larger ones have hundreds. Their names are famous – often infamous – throughout Italy: Livorno's Brigate Autonome Livornesi, AC Milan's Commandos Tigres, Juventus' Drughi.

Italian ultras pride themselves on keeping up a constant stream of song and invective throughout a match, and on the awesome choreography of banners and pennants that mark the Italian game. In a holdover from political battles of the 1970s, some display the iconography of the extreme right and left – swastikas, the hammer and sickle. Most come to watch soccer. A small but influential minority have something more sinister on their minds.

The ultras reside in stands that are reserved – and often named – for them. These areas, like the Curva Nord in Milan's San Siro stadium, are "no go" areas for police. The stewards charged with maintaining order are often ultra members themselves. A few years ago, ultras smuggled a moped into the San Siro and dropped it on the tier below.

After these (increasingly frequent) bouts of violence, Italian club officials always promise to curtail the ultra influence.

But the truth is that the teams – especially smaller ones – have made the ultras indispensable to their survival. Ultras often act as ticketing agents, taking blocks of seats from the club and selling them on to members. The ultra capi – bosses – organize events and travelling groups, ensuring revenues. Often, the ultras expect a commission on tickets sales and special perks for top members.

Last October, several members of Lazio's Irriducibili were arrested after they attempted to take over the club through a manipulation of the stock price. The target of their anger was Lazio president Claudio Lotito. In between alleged threats on Lotito's wife, the group was launching phoney bids on the club's stock, causing it to spiral in confusion. The apparent cause of the controversy? Lotito was attempting to reduce the tribute the club paid to Irriducibili chieftains.

Through numbers and intimidation, ultras influence the hiring of club presidents, managers and transfer targets. In many cases, top officials feel indebted to them.

Then there is the threat of violence. Ultra mobs have been known to storm dressing rooms or practice pitches to vent their anger if the side is not performing.

During a fractious 2004 derby between Lazio and Roma, ultra leaders walked on to the pitch and told Roma star Francesco Totti to stop the match. Totti told his manager Fabio Capello that he thought lives might be in danger. Officials ended the game.

Some of the problems are due to Italy's stadiums themselves. Most are decrepit. According to reports, all but four current Serie A stadiums do not meet safety standards. Nevertheless, these buildings receive "temporary" permits each weekend to host matches.

Most arenas are the property of local authorities. So there is little incentive for teams to refurbish the facilities and install modern security measures. This creates a vicious cycle wherein the only fans willing to attend matches are ultras, making cash-strapped clubs even more beholden to them.

For many years, Europeans have called soccer violence "the English disease." Twenty-two years ago, English fan violence reached its nadir during riots at a European Cup final at Brussels' Heysel stadium. Thirty-nine people, most of them Juventus supporters, died in the rampage.

A swift ban on English teams playing in European competition, followed by draconian security measures at home, allowed England to clean up its game. Stadiums were rebuilt. Standing-room-only kops were eliminated. CCTV cameras and an overwhelming police presence coaxed law-abiding fans into attending matches once again. In fairly quick measure, the hooligan presence in English soccer was pushed to the edges.

Today, Italy is asking itself if Fillipo Raciti's murder was their Heysel moment. If they are serious about cracking the ultra movement, they must be prepared to do so at enormous financial cost. Some legendary and beloved clubs may be lost. Fan culture in Italian soccer will have to be redefined.

The alternative? Do nothing beside pay lip service to change. Bury more bodies. And watch the game destroy itself.

Also, this is yet another article that calls on Italy to learn from England. Sound advice, even though the gangs seem to exert more power in Italy. This is a cycle that cannot be repeated ad infinitum.

[Cort Haus]

Dunno if this, found on a footy forum, is all BS or not, but it's funny anyway.

Lampard is being a right *** about Barton being in the England squad, won't talk to him, pass to him, all that stuff, and just got up to move to another table at breakfast when Barton sat at the same one. Apparently as soon as he stood up and moved, Barton called after him "Don't worry, I wasn't going to nick your breakfast you fat pr1ck" and Lampard threw a hissy fit and stormed out.

[Cort Haus]

This is excellent.

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8751_1900497,00.html

couts have prepared a guide to the Liverpool Reds' squad - including Craig Bellamy, who has 'switched franchises several times in career amid rumors of all-star level jackassery'. It's all here...

Jose (Pepé) Reina

Netminder with an impressive 19 shutouts this regular season. Save average of .854 in last five outs. Replaces New Jerzy Dudek as first-choice goaltender after veteran's series of high-profile handling errors. Nicknamed after Pepé Le Pew, the cheese-eating surrender skunk.

James 'The Minister Of Defense' Carragher

Captain of defense and native 'Scouser'. 2963 minutes of field time with powerplay change-up stats of 5-6-3. Awesome displays in penalty zone versus aerial offense plays. Awesome displays at club Christmas parties. Distribution ranked only 245th in EPL. Note: communication may be difficult as James does not speak English.

Steve O'Finnan

Defensive cornerback/outside linebacker ranked six in division for forward offense running plays. Highly-rated change-up, groundspeed. 245 defensive tackle ratio. Proud Irishman: merchandising opportunities with millions of east coast Americans who are 1/64 from Cork. Vital cornerman, new shorts.

Sam Hyypia

Veteran centerblocker famed for aerial rebound ability, composureability, although lacks change-up, questions over groundplay v forwards with nimbleness quotient. Radical air with headbombs from special plays ensures a conversions per season tally average of six. Hails from Finlandland, a country in Europe that is part of the 'Axis Of Pleasantness'.

John-Arnold Riise

Cornerman who regularly features in goalshot of the month sweeps with a left peg rated in top five nationwide for sweetness. Rookie, sophomore seasons raised expectations of possible Hall of Famer status but recent semesters have seen the person of redly-challenged hair demoted to bullpen on occasion. 7-6-8.

Gerrard Steven

Team MVP, captain and midfielderman famed for power running, pass accuracy, assists. Has dressed as center, right wingerbacker (offensive and defensive) and even as secondary power forward. Can rush goal or sit back in the pocket. Career high came in Pro-Ball showdown against the Milan Tumblers in Istanbul (believed site of WMD).

Craig Bellamy

Controversial wide receiver/goal forward rated division's third most likely player to face red card takedown in grudge slams. Lightning fast in joggy work down winglines, although critics question net targeting infield. Has switched franchises several times in career amid rumors of all-star level jackassery.

Robert Bernard Fowler

Veteran strike attacker and all-time Liverpool Reds Hall of Famer. Once considered league MVP for shotzone rebounds and accuracy in the paint. Famously flagged on field for displaying his tight end to opponent Graeme Le Saux, and for calling into question The War On Drugs.

Xavi Alonso (ITA)

6-5-7, 12, 468, 0.43, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 98632548, 1, 1, 0 (?), 0, 1. 0.3.

Jermaine Pennant

Wide receiver/running forward has rushed for over 1,000 yards in Liverpool Reds rookie season. Crossfields delivery success rate well into point-seven-ohs, play action, sprinty, jigglebomb, DUI. 6.662. Off-field activities saw him given bum's rush from Steve Bruskowski's Birmingham Brums. Only soccerplayer on roster with a sensible sportsman's name.

Peter Crouch Jr

Power forward who could have potential if consortium moves into NBA. Noted for headbomb assists, ganglyhole, salmon leap, robotics. 0.673, runners batted in, three points. Traded several times early in career but has flourished under head coach Benitez at the Anfield Taco Bellodrome.

Alan B Tyers III Junior

[Cort Haus]

The new owners will "respect the history and tradition of the franchise."

[Cort Haus]