Football (Soccer) Thread

[celedhring]

He might well leave but I doubt it will be to Inter.

We are a complete mess.

[Duque de Bragança]

He might well leave but I doubt it will be to Inter.

Will Serie A have to wait to regain its 90s/early '00s prominent status then?

We are a complete mess.

Even if he does not leave, Messi will stop playing eventually. FCB governance will have to be sorted out, sooner or later.

[celedhring]

The current board cannot run for reelection (not that they would have a chance, they're as popular as Covid-19), so we'll get somebody new next year. That doesn't necessarily mean an improvement.

[Sheilbh]

Baines

[Sheilbh]

So Newcastle takeover off. Good to know where exactly football would draw the line in terms of dodgy character/countries buying clubs: the infringement of Premier League IP and broadcasting rights

[HVC]

Swiss are investigating Gianni Infantino

[Sheilbh]

Christ. Imagine being so criminal the Swiss notice

[FunkMonk]

Arteta's Arsenal. 

[Syt]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/01/austrian-football-team-sorry-for-9-0-loss-that-saw-opponents-promoted

Austrian football team sorry for 9-0 loss that saw opponents promoted

Austrian second-tier side Floridsdorfer AC have apologised for a 9-0 defeat which allowed opponents Ried to win promotion on goal difference, but denied that they behaved improperly.

Ried finished top of Austria's Second League above Austria Klagenfurt, who beat Wacker Innsbruck 6-1 in the final matches on Friday. Ried's goal difference was 34 to Klagenfurt's 29. Only the champions are promoted to the top flight.

"Yesterday's defeat at SV Ried still causes us headaches and consternation," Floridsdorfer said in a statement on Saturday. "We are aware that we disappointed many people with yesterday's performance. We would like to apologise on behalf of the entire Floridsdorfer Sports Club for the desolate and unprofessional performance of our team."

However, the statement added: "We vehemently defend ourselves against various accusations that are circulating. In the coming days and weeks, we will intensively analyse and process yesterday's events."

Klagenfurt coach Robert Micheu complained that Floridsdorfer had allowed five players to go on holiday and added: "We scored a goal, then Ried scored again - very interesting."

There was no immediate comment from the Austrian league.

[Tamas]

Arteta's Arsenal. 

Stupid incompetent cheating referee.

[Valmy]

I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.

[Syt]

I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.

[Duque de Bragança]

I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.

In other news, Benfica can't play for shit. Despite playing with one player more than Porto following a two yellows, they lost 1-2 in the Portuguese Cup Final. Two flukes on the Benfica side, which gave two chances converted into goals by the unlikely Chancel Mbemba, a defender .

They will really need Jesus to perform some miracles.
Nor to mention, that's the weakest Porto team in the last 20 years.

[celedhring]

I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.

Is this a reference to the 82 WC? 

[Syt]

I just cannot believe a team from Austria would ever collude to help an opponent advance.

Is this a reference to the 82 WC? 

You mean "The Non-Aggression Pact of Gijon" and the reason why afterwards the last group matches were always held in parallel? Nah ..... 

It was a big change compared to "The Shame of Cordoba 1978" where the already eliminated Austrians beat Germany who therefore also were eliminated.