Tackles, balls and Seaman - The footie thread

[Jamie]

i'm not against jail for those who specifically commit the crimes, but know they wont be punished heavily they'll be far more likely to take the risk than if they knew they'd get punished themselves rather than just a suit.

relegation was nearly a necessity otherwise it would've encouraged others to try and cheat knowing the club itself was immune.

The problem is though how can they go to jail for match-fixing, what would they be prosecuted for? I doubt there's a law in the Italian constitution stating that fixing football matches is a crime punishable by time in prison. Relegation, point deductions, fines, and bans from football are the only real options.

[Jim]

... Try telling that to the bookies or, more to the point, their punters.

We were wondering last night, if you had money on Juvi to get relegated at the beggining of the season, could you cash in your slip now?

[Izzy]

... Try telling that to the bookies or, more to the point, their punters.

We were wondering last night, if you had money on Juvi to get relegated at the beggining of the season, could you cash in your slip now?

Lol, good one

Apparently the media are convinced AC Milan will be forced to sell. Now this has me baffled - why? Missing out on the 10 mill from the CL is hardly going to bother them....

And already are favourite Italian match fixers have found a way to rebuild - simply loan all their expensive players to teams willing to pay the wages for a small fee, and collect them back once they are promoted again

Diabolically genius, no selling and no money worries. I salute them!

[2NaFish]

The problem is though how can they go to jail for match-fixing, what would they be prosecuted for? I doubt there's a law in the Italian constitution stating that fixing football matches is a crime punishable by time in prison. Relegation, point deductions, fines, and bans from football are the only real options.

the clubs have annual turnovers in the region of ?100 million, give or take. To jeopardise the entire league would surely constitute some form of industrial sabotage.

I'd imagine it wouldn't be too difficult to have some form of "protective" legislation implemented to put off sleazu businessmen in football.


See izzy, the clubs are fine already.

[Judge Dredd]

... Try telling that to the bookies or, more to the point, their punters.

We were wondering last night, if you had money on Juvi to get relegated at the beggining of the season, could you cash in your slip now?

Lol, good one

Apparently the media are convinced AC Milan will be forced to sell. Now this has me baffled - why? Missing out on the 10 mill from the CL is hardly going to bother them....

And already are favourite Italian match fixers have found a way to rebuild - simply loan all their expensive players to teams willing to pay the wages for a small fee, and collect them back once they are promoted again

Diabolically genius, no selling and no money worries. I salute them!

AC Milan's sale of Shevchenko should more than cover any money they would have earnt from the Champions League.

Apparently Empoli don't have a licence for European football, so AC Milan may end up in the UEFA Cup anyway.

I cannot see any logical reason why AC Milan will be forced to sell any of their players.

[Izzy]

See izzy, the clubs are fine already.

Well, they should be - but we both know they are idiots, they will sell out of panic, or be forced to seel by panicing players - some clever loan deals are all they need, which should keep everyone happy - not going to be a shortage of takers for Cannavaro on a 2 year loan

A mass exodus from Juventus would actually help them regardless - there squad is sooooo old, barely any of them have another seaosn left in them, and its curious how players like Del Piero and Nedved still keep going with all their past injuries - they would have needed to sell them at the end of next season anyway....

[2NaFish]

you're not enough of a conspiracy theorist.

EUFA's big 3 controlling member's are Spain, Germany and you guessed it Italy. The lack of the big italian clubs over both tournaments will hurt them (i have a feeling AC will be let in) so i'd expect a fair few loan deals will be "lightly pressurized" to go through. This will first of all ensure the relegated clubs have the finances to bounce straight back but longer term keeps the value of the players in Italy.

Think about it if, say, 20 top quality players were to be sold on the cheap what was worth ?250 million could be sold for ?40. Their game would enter a depression.

There's too much riding on italy staying competive for their not to be even more corruption maintaining the status quo.

(actually looking back on my post it appears that it is I who is in fact far too paranoid)

[Izzy]

you're not enough of a conspiracy theorist.

EUFA's big 3 controlling member's are Spain, Germany and you guessed it Italy. The lack of the big italian clubs over both tournaments will hurt them (i have a feeling AC will be let in) so i'd expect a fair few loan deals will be "lightly pressurized" to go through. This will first of all ensure the relegated clubs have the finances to bounce straight back but longer term keeps the value of the players in Italy.

Think about it if, say, 20 top quality players were to be sold on the cheap what was worth ?250 million could be sold for ?40. Their game would enter a depression.

There's too much riding on italy staying competive for their not to be even more corruption maintaining the status quo.

(actually looking back on my post it appears that it is I who is in fact far too paranoid)

As UEFA are almost as corrupt as FIFA I doubt they will do anything

As The Sun newspaper has taught us - the best way to take the heat of yourself is to lay into others

Hence the Sun's endless campaigns against rascism despite the reality its views would embarrass even the most ardent Nazi

UEFA, desperate to look like it isn't embezzling funds, will preach the evils of corruption and congratulate the Italian FA on their efforts

FIFA even more desperate to distract people from Blatters activities will be quick to congratulate UEFA and they will all go on their merry way

Ah football.....the beautiful game

[Jim]

Rumours abound that Duff is on his way to the Lane.

Now there's a transfer to get excited about. 

[TAP]

Rumours abound that Duff is on his way to the Lane.

What are Spurs going to do with a bass player?

....sorry 

[Miz]

Rumours abound that Duff is on his way to the Lane.

Now there's a transfer to get excited about.?

Yeah, this seems like an excellent buy...I guess this is only happening because 'borough wouldn't budge on Downing, but IMO Duff is a far better player anyway.

On a side note, are Man U ever going to announce that they're talking to Gattuso, as this move seems pretty inevitable, and if it doesn't happen, Ferguson should be sacked...

And why has nobody bought Buffon yet?!?!?! He already said he was gonna leave if Juve went down. And with a guarunteed 2 seasons out of the top flight and 3 out of europe there is no way he is going to stay.

[Danny Top Hat]

I just bet my friend a fiver that Arsene won't making any more signing before the start of the season.? His behaviour seems all too familiar at the moment - he talks about buying big players like Buffon and Saviola but doesn't actually get round to it.? It's true that Arsenal don't really need those players but they would be a real boost.? I'm still worried about Henry getting injured.

Also with Senderos out and Campbell gone Arsenal could really do with another centre back.? The way things are heading, Cygan must be rubbing his hands together with glee.


Also - the thought of Tottenham with Duff in the team genuinly frightens me.? Jol has real vision and has his tactics spot on.? It's worrying...

[Judge Dredd]

^ I'm not unduly worried about Duff going to the Lane, I've always thought he's a bit over-rated. He seems to be injury prone and I don't think he is quite the player he was when he was in the 2002 World Cup.

Still, nice to see that Spurs are giving him (allegedly) a ?3 million 'sweetener' to counter balance ?20,000 a week less in wages and a drop in bonuses.

I'm not sure who Arsenal will bring in though. Wenger has now gone on record as saying that he isn't interested in Saviola (which suggests it was probably agent talk to generate interest) or ANY of the Juve players, which rules out Buffon and Thuram.

But we do need a defender. I just don't know what Wenger has up his sleeve.

[Izzy]

I'm still worried about Henry getting injured.

For all Arsene's talents, Arsenal where, untill recently, easy to label a  two man team - Viera left and you lost a worrying amount of points - now ur a one man team 

If Henry broke a leg you'd be in dire straits.

Transfers needed there -  and in large quantities, Arsenal arent improving and the competition is

[Judge Dredd]

I'm still worried about Henry getting injured.

For all Arsene's talents, Arsenal where, untill recently, easy to label a  two man team - Viera left and you lost a worrying amount of points - now ur a one man team 

If Henry broke a leg you'd be in dire straits.

Transfers needed there -  and in large quantities, Arsenal arent improving and the competition is

The kids are improving, month by month, season by season.

And we certainly aren't a one man team, it's just that Henry is so good he outshines all the others.

Lehmann, Toure and Cesc made immense contributions last season. Eboue, Senderos and Van Persie are going to be better this season.

And then we have super Theo...

[Izzy]

And then we have super Theo...

What a star he's been - and all those goals

[Danny Top Hat]

Arsenal a one man team?? LOL.? No way my friend!? As the Judge said, Henry outshines everyone in the Premiership - you can't expect Reyes and co. to keep up his pace.

I really doubt that Walcott is gonna live up to all this incredible hype he's been given.  There are few players in the world that could!  We might even loan him out to some other team this season.  Jermaine Pennant, anyone?

Arsenal started last season badly but by the end we became a beautifully organised team with quality all over the pitch.? Lehmann, Toure, Eboue, Cole and Ljungberg are all finished articles in my opinion.? Fabregas, Senderos, Hleb, Reyes and Van Persie all have much more to come from them.? AND we have Rosicky.? I'd say Arsenal are almost ready for a title challenge, but I certainly wouldn't say no to a few more buys.

Why NOT raid Juventus??

[Miz]

With Senderos out and Campbell gone Arsenal could really do with another centre back.? The way things are heading, Cygan must be rubbing his hands together with glee.

Why NOT raid Juventus??

I think Thuram may well be on his way to Highbury...err, the Emirates Stadium (lol, how shit does that sound...), I can't see why Wenger wouldn't buy him...

[Slashead]

According to Spanish media, Thuram and Zambrotta will play for Barcelona. Juventus and Bar?a have reached an agreement (14 millions euros for Zambrotta and 5 millions for Thuram). Bar?a still has to negociate with the players.

[Miz]

BTW Arsenal fans, is Ashley Cole leaving as all the rumours keep saying?