World Cup 2026

[Josquius]

Senegal are cursed aren't they.

[Grey Fox]

We were so close. So close.

I think it's warranted simply because FIFA rules already stop too many goals.

[Sheilbh]

Do you guys think that penalty for Belgium was warranted? I'm kinda torn.

Don't think it should have been given. I can see why it was - but feel like they've not been giving that type of penalty in this World Cup. And whenever VAR spends that much time to call the ref and then the ref takes ages reviewing it, I feel like they should err on not giving.

[Valmy]

Man...bad day for Africa.

[Sheilbh]

After 9 African teams get out of the group stages, four knocked out with goals after the 85th minute (in the case of Senegal multiple). Must be a bit gutting.

Still have Ghana, Algeria, Cabo Verde and Egypt to go though.

[Zoupa]

I was shocked to see Partey plays for Ghana. I thought he'd been arrested for rape? Was the case dropped or what's going on, english folks?

[Sheilbh]

I was shocked to see Partey plays for Ghana. I thought he'd been arrested for rape? Was the case dropped or what's going on, english folks?

The case has not been dropped. But following the initial charge, there were two new charges after the initial ones were brought which have now been conslidated into a single trial. He pleaded not guilty a few months ago and the trial is scheduled for January.

Arsenal continued to play him and his contract expired and he moved to Villareal. Canada refused a visa so he wasn't in the Ghana team for the game they played in Canada. He was able to play in the games in the US.

When Ghana played England, Djed Spence refused to shake his hand before the game.

Edit: And I feel like Spence can't just have been a Spurs thing - but it could have been. Either way I think good on him.

[jimmy olsen]

A red card for that!?

Bosnian have done worse and not gotten a yellow!

Absurd!

[Zoupa]

I was shocked to see Partey plays for Ghana. I thought he'd been arrested for rape? Was the case dropped or what's going on, english folks?

The case has not been dropped. But following the initial charge, there were two new charges after the initial ones were brought which have now been conslidated into a single trial. He pleaded not guilty a few months ago and the trial is scheduled for January.

Arsenal continued to play him and his contract expired and he moved to Villareal. Canada refused a visa so he wasn't in the Ghana team for the game they played in Canada. He was able to play in the games in the US.

When Ghana played England, Djed Spence refused to shake his hand before the game.

Edit: And I feel like Spence can't just have been a Spurs thing - but it could have been. Either way I think good on him.

Good on Spence. Googling it, I see Declan Rice gave him quite the hug. Presumption of innocence and all that but come on man.

[garbon]

Senegal are cursed aren't they.

Good. I recently learned Senegal is one of several African nations that has increased penalties for being gay this year. Ghana is one too so here's to hoping they get a swift exit soon.

[Norgy]

A red card for that!?

Bosnian have done worse and not gotten a yellow!

Absurd!

Compared to what referees have let slide, this seems like a harsh and wrong decision. More accidental than intentional in any way.

[HVC]

A red card for that!?

Bosnian have done worse and not gotten a yellow!

Absurd!

He broke the two cardinal rules of the the World Cup.

1) Be Messi
2) Don't not be Messi

If he had just stuck to those he'd have been fine. See Argentinas game against Algeria

[Josquius]

I was shocked to see Partey plays for Ghana. I thought he'd been arrested for rape? Was the case dropped or what's going on, english folks?

The case has not been dropped. But following the initial charge, there were two new charges after the initial ones were brought which have now been conslidated into a single trial. He pleaded not guilty a few months ago and the trial is scheduled for January.

Arsenal continued to play him and his contract expired and he moved to Villareal. Canada refused a visa so he wasn't in the Ghana team for the game they played in Canada. He was able to play in the games in the US.

When Ghana played England, Djed Spence refused to shake his hand before the game.

Edit: And I feel like Spence can't just have been a Spurs thing - but it could have been. Either way I think good on him.

Good on Spence. Googling it, I see Declan Rice gave him quite the hug. Presumption of innocence and all that but come on man.

Yeah I've seen a lot of weird comments  hailing Spence on this and proclaiming he's the only one with morals etc....

To my mind it is probably either a Spurs thing OR they know each other, they probably move in the same circles, and Spence thinks the charges are likely true.

I 100% would go with innocent until proven guilty on this stuff though.
Sunderland had a young player, Jack Diamond, who was accused of rape. He was suspended due to it though was later found completely innocent. The accuser was a consenting girl who was pissed off he didn't want a serious relationship with her.
But though a year suspended whilst being paid in full and then exonerated might be fine in normal jobs, for a young footballer it's career destroying.

I'd probably go with keep them away from press and charity engagements whilst something is going on but they should keep playing - maybe under an agreement they pay compensation if they're guilty.

[Valmy]

I 100% would go with innocent until proven guilty on this stuff though.

Well here is the deal: generally I agree. However rape is such a weird crime. You can have people, especialy famous men, who are known rapists everybody knows they are a rapist and they have dozens of accusers and jack fuck happens. Due to the nature of the crime people often don't come forward until years after the fact so you have statute of limitations issues, there is no evidence really that a crime has been committed except testimony unless you literally have a video or audio recording and even then that might not necesarily prove anything unless the person is actively indicating they do not consent or they are unconcious or something.

Is the Andrew formerly known as Prince in Prison? Did Michael Jackson go to jail? Bill Cosby got out after a short period of time due to a technicality. When Danny Masterson (TV star in the US just FYI) finally went to jail, which was a very close run deal and due to some very specific laws in California, tons of people were outraged that there was no "evidence"...none but hours and hours of witness testimony.

It is such a hard crime to convict people of and we have such a long and incredible history of powerful famous dudes just getting away with it for decades and nothing happening that...sure if one person makes an accusation I am going to be skeptical. One person can be an asshole or delusional or whatever? Sure. But once multiple accusers come forth against a powerful celebrity man I really have no choice but to believe them because the justice system on a world wide basis systematically and institutionally fails to do fuck all about it.

So if these new charges are different incidents or just more charges related to the same accusation that would change how I view it. Granted I have no idea who this guy is besides the knowledge he is a famous soccer player.

[HVC]

Gonna be 31 (feels like 40) today in Toronto. Probably helps portugal. But with everyone playing on different nations now might not actually make a difference. At least the hydration breaks will actually mean something this time