World Cup 2026

[Zoupa]

Yeah I'm more team Spence on this. I get what you mean about being suspended and the impact on a young player.

But that's not what happened to Thomas Partey. First of all he has been formally charged - so this isn't just allegations but allegations with enough evidence for the CPS to bring charges. Arsenal continued to play him in the Premier League and Champions League - because of reporting restrictions after someone being charged the only comment possible in the media was to note that he had been charged and denied all allegations. His contract ended and he moved to Villareal where he has played in a La Liga and the Champions League. He has played for his country in AFCON and this World Cup.

I think presumption of innocence etc is really important in the formal process (and why, despite its issues, I'm pretty sympathetic to the UK's reporting restrictions/contempt of court rules) - I fully get friends and family believing and supporting someone. But I'm not sure that it means everyone else around you has to behave as if it's nothing.

I'd add that we've also seen it a bit with Mason Greenwood who wasn't formally charged (I don't think his girlfriend wanted to press charges) - but the videos his girlfriend released, I think, were pretty shocking. Manchester United suspended and release him - but he is now playing for Marseille.

Sadly I think in football if you are a good enough player then it will have an impact but it won't destroy their career until and unless they're actually in prison (I think even with a conviction with a non-custodial sentence, a team would be willing to take the heat for a good enough player).

I've quite enjoyed the game between Marseille and Villa where Mings absolutely bodied that little weasel Greenwood.

[Duque de Bragança]

As for Spain, comfortable win, upset, or close game?

More importantly, the French commentator can't pronounce Roja so that's another drinking game in case you're bored.

[HVC]

Way too many portuguese people congregating in toronto. I don't like it. It's tempting fate. 

[Duque de Bragança]

Way too many portuguese people congregating in toronto. I don't like it. It's tempting fate. 

Happened in 2016 in Lens too.

Spain 3 Austria 0
Clear victory despite the early Austrian resistance.

[Sheilbh]

Yeah - Spain still not ominous like France. But doing that very Spanish thing of improving as they go further into a tournament.

I actually quite like Spain - but loath Cucurella so a bit of a mixed bag in my view.

[Sheilbh]

Sadly both teams should lose, be disqualified and get fined for both wearing the wrong kits

[HVC]

Don't like how everyone's away kit has weird smudge patterns

[HVC]

I don't think im gonna like this ref 

[HVC]

Why are you stopping on a counter attack you stupid fuckers

[HVC]

How was that not a penalty

[Sheilbh]

Surprised it took so long to review.

[HVC]

There we go.


I still hate this game

[HVC]

 

Surprised it took so long to review.

Being in America he thought he was playing American football


*for the purposes of the joke I'm ignoring that they're playing in Toronto

[Grey Fox]

That's a deserved penalty.

[HVC]

Also weird subs. Let's see if it pans out.