Football (Soccer) Thread

[Syt]

I think FIFA had previously said that they can't change schedules etc. if Iran were to bow out.

[crazy canuck]

Looks like the Italian government rejected it pre-emptively anyway. Glad to see Italy cares a little bit about the integrity of the game.

Edit: I just realized the Italian government looked at what the US was proposing and was like: Nah, this is too corrupt for us. Damn what a time to be alive.

Not sure why there is the hate for Italian football, with Jacob leaving open the possibility that Italy might do it, and you now saying they care "a little bit about the integrity of the game".  Of course the Italians were going to reject this.

Funny to see an American suggesting others are corrupt.

[Valmy]

Looks like the Italian government rejected it pre-emptively anyway. Glad to see Italy cares a little bit about the integrity of the game.

Edit: I just realized the Italian government looked at what the US was proposing and was like: Nah, this is too corrupt for us. Damn what a time to be alive.

Not sure why there is the hate for Italian football, with Jacob leaving open the possibility that Italy might do it, and you now saying they care "a little bit about the integrity of the game".  Of course the Italians were going to reject this.

Funny to see an American suggesting others are corrupt.

It's a joke, more of a reference to Italy's reputation under Berlusconi. Chill. I didn't think there was any possibility Italy would take that deal

[crazy canuck]

Looks like the Italian government rejected it pre-emptively anyway. Glad to see Italy cares a little bit about the integrity of the game.

Edit: I just realized the Italian government looked at what the US was proposing and was like: Nah, this is too corrupt for us. Damn what a time to be alive.

Not sure why there is the hate for Italian football, with Jacob leaving open the possibility that Italy might do it, and you now saying they care "a little bit about the integrity of the game".  Of course the Italians were going to reject this.

Funny to see an American suggesting others are corrupt.

It's a joke, more of a reference to Italy's reputation under Berlusconi. Chill. I didn't think there was any possibility Italy would take that deal

Just a bit weird that an American says the Italians are corrupt when the whole idea spawned from the corruption of the current US regime.

[Valmy]

Just a bit weird that an American says the Italians are corrupt when the whole idea spawned from the corruption of the current US regime.

It isn't weird because that is the whole point. That is exactly what I am making fun of.  The United States is so corrupt that a country that used to be clowned for being corrupt now thinks we are too corrupt, to the point they recoil in horror. That is the whole point: we are now the most corrupt around.

[HVC]

It's not even really an American government suggestion. It was one butt hurt american envoy of Italian descent who brought up the idea.

And are we going so far as to white wash Italian football, which is pretty well know for corruption? I mean Juventus makes even porto blush*. Two thing can be true at once. America sucks and so does Italian football. Both on the feild and off of .


* sorry duque

[Duque de Bragança]

It's not even really an American government suggestion. It was one butt hurt american envoy of Italian descent who brought up the idea.

And are we going so far as to white wash Italian football, which is pretty well know for corruption? I mean Juventus makes even Benfica blush*. Two thing can be true at once. America sucks and so does Italian football. Both on the field and off of .


* sorry crypto-Moor

Fixed!

Former Benfica president, a convicted delinquent, socio of the big three, with links to the current one (former right-hand), was linked to the fraudulent bankruptcy of Banco Espiríto Santo.

See also the Saco Azul scandal, ended on a technicality after playing time for years ( statute of limitations).

https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/artigo/saco-azul-10-anos-e-sempre-uma-tragedia-justica-que-tarda-nao-e-justica/18076370

[Norgy]

I don't think that there are many leagues that have had more match-fixing scandals than the Italian one. There seems to be less match-fixing now and more betting on strange things like if a player gets a yellow card.

During the 1990s, broadcasters in Norway showed Serie A, and the quality was impeccable. Few goals, though, compared to the more gung-ho approach in the Premiership.

Norway pipped Italy for the WC slot. That does not mean Norway were not in trouble at San Siro. The first half, the Azzuri were best at everything. The second half, not so much. Italy has always been a team that performs well in competitions, be it the Euros or the World Cup, but there is no doubt their Iberian rivals have over-taken them completely in tactics and player development. Spain used to have good players, but bottled it in every competition outside club level. Portugal had '66, or rather Eusebio, and 1984 Euros. Then there was a boy from Madeira. And the rest is history.

If there still were the foreigner quotas in European leagues that existed up until the common market also encompassed football, Norway would be fucked. But Italy probably would be in a better place. I will say this: Player development has suffered everywhere in Europe because of this. My opinion, and I do have some facts to back it up, is that there should be a rule that demanded more home-grown players, up to 7 in every matchday squad. The UEFA is not going to enforce such a rule, as it would violate freedom of movement of labour in the market.

But they should know, they are eating their cake and more young home-grown players simply quit. So that cake will eventually be eaten completely.