Football

[Ivo]

In case anyone isn't aware, Titus Bramble is currently being dealt with at Teesside Crown Court in relation to a sexual assault claim.

His brother, Tesfaye (who used to play for Southend :roll, is already in prison for rape - an incident in which Titus was cleared of any wrongdoing.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I see that FIFA have told the Scottish FA that FIFA expects action being taken against Rangers for their use of the Scottish Law Courts to overturn the transfer embargo that the Scottish FA had imposed upon them.

 

[Scotrail84]

I see that FIFA have told the Scottish FA that FIFA expects action being taken against Rangers for their use of the Scottish Law Courts to overturn the transfer embargo that the Scottish FA had imposed upon them.

Excellent news, chuck them out the league. The only thing is the SFA are bottlers and are so far up the erses of rangers and Celtic it's unbelievable. Nicknamed the Glasgow football association up here for their blatant bias towards the old firm. The whole lot are corrupt.

 

[Ivo]

In contrast to the previous couple of posts, Round ...we must be on about 20 by now... of the Rangers vs The World clash goes to the Gers.

From the BBC, as always:

Rangers win court challenge over SFA transfer ban

A judge has ruled that the Scottish Football Association (SFA) acted beyond its powers in imposing a year-long transfer ban on Rangers FC.

The ban was given, along with a fine of £100,000, after the club was charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

Rangers challenged the ban at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, on the grounds it was not one of the sanctions listed in the SFA's own regulations.

Lord Glennie said the ban should be reconsidered by the SFA appeal panel.

Rangers administrators Duff and Phelps said the club's position had been vindicated and that they would study the judgement and consider their course of action.

The SFA said it was surprised by the verdict and would consult its legal advisers.

BBC Scotland has learned that a number of SPL clubs are extremely disappointed with the ruling.

One club chairman said there was an "increased animosity" towards Rangers after they took the case to court.

One of Europe's leading experts in sports law has also told BBC Scotland there could be wider implications for Scottish football.

Judging from the other club's Chairman, it would appear that even the rest of the SPL are fed up now. It still remains to be seen how the SPL would cope without one of its big two; surely Celtic would have no choice but to join the English League?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Meanwhile, in other news, the Italian PM has taken a rather hard line in reaction to the country's latest match-fixing scandal.

Again from the BBC:

Halt Italian football for 2-3 years, says PM Monti

Professional football in Italy should be suspended for up to three years after a match-fixing row, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has suggested.

He said that the scandal had caused "profound sadness" across the country.

Mr Monti was speaking a day after a number of people - including Lazio's captain Stefano Mauri - were arrested.

Police are searching more than 30 homes, including those of players, trainers and administrators of clubs in Serie A, Serie B and lower divisions.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte, who just led the club to the Serie A title in his first season in charge, is among those being questioned by police.

"I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to suspend the game for two or three years," Mr Monti said on Tuesday.

"It's particularly sad when a world which should be an expression of the highest values - sport, youth, competition, fairness turns out to be a mass of foul play, falsehood and demagoguery."

However, Mr Monti acknowledged that his suggestion was not "a proposal by the government but a question I am asking".

I don't want to agree with Signor Monti on this, but this has gone on long enough. What other choice is there? Italy has always been at the forefront of world football and to see such an influential powerhouse crumbling under the weight of yet another cheating scandal means that questions have to be asked; indeed, are the officials at the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (Italian Football Federation) guilty of not taking a sufficiently stern stance? Just think back to the one a few years ago; so many points deductions and relegations, virtually all of which were at least reduced, if not rescinded completely...

 

[Scotrail84]

Judging from the other club's Chairman, it would appear that even the rest of the SPL are fed up now. It still remains to be seen how the SPL would cope without one of its big two; surely Celtic would have no choice but to join the English League?
--- old post above --- ---


Scottish football can survive without the old firm. You say the big 2? 2 non old firm teams in the Scottish cup final. Kilmarnock beat Celtic in the league cup final. Rangers and Celtic can gtf for me. They can also take their sectarian and bigoted bile with them. if you want Celtic then have them because we don't. Rangers better get thrown out the league or a lot of fans will lose complete faith in the SFA and their ability to run the league. Talks of mass boycotts if severe action is not taken against rangers.

 

[DarloRich]

http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=923

Please have a look at this article which sets out how Darlington have got into the position they are in.

It is worth noting the "advice" given by the FA and their subsequent actions.

I will say I am all for a fair, equitable, reasonable and just punishment. However, this punishment borders on the cruel, petty and vindictive.

 

[Ivo]

As far as the FA's attitude goes:

Luton all over again...?

 

[DarloRich]

As far as the FA's attitude goes:

Luton all over again...?

Worse tbh.

 

[Oswyntail]

As far as the FA's attitude goes:

Luton all over again...?

The problem lies with the FA's tests for "Fit and proper" management, which allowed the crooks and shysters to take Luton to the cleaners, and do worse here. IMHO, any board member who takes a club into administration should be treated as if they themselves were bankrupt, and banned from having any future involvement with football. That would concentrate a few minds - but it would also dry up the flow of simple-minded businessmen who have more money than sense when it come to the sport.
British football desperately needs to be brought into line with good business administration. It is NOT a special case, and I am glad to see that there are signs, as at Rangers, that the authorities are no longer buying that hogwash. Personally, I would be happy to see clubs fold completely, so long as that was for normal commercial reasons, and not as a result of crooked directors asset stripping.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I believe Luton's 30 point penalty remains to this day the largest points penalty ever distributed in a professional league in Europe.

 

[Donny Dave]

I believe Luton's 30 point penalty remains to this day the largest points penalty ever distributed in a professional league in Europe.

Nope. FC Sion got docked 36 points either in December last year or January this year after they fielded players signed during an embargo they were under.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Judging from the other club's Chairman, it would appear that even the rest of the SPL are fed up now. It still remains to be seen how the SPL would cope without one of its big two; surely Celtic would have no choice but to join the English League?

We have had theads with regard to either Celtic or Rangers possibly joining the English league system before, with quotations from various bodies from FIFA, UEFA and downwards giving their views on the matter.

I just cannot face this matter surfacing again..

 

[SS4]

Scottish football can survive without the old firm. You say the big 2? 2 non old firm teams in the Scottish cup final. Kilmarnock beat Celtic in the league cup final. Rangers and Celtic can gtf for me. They can also take their sectarian and bigoted bile with them. if you want Celtic then have them because we don't. Rangers better get thrown out the league or a lot of fans will lose complete faith in the SFA and their ability to run the league. Talks of mass boycotts if severe action is not taken against rangers.

Not just survive but improve. If only for a few years before Champions League money creates a new top 2 - the only way I can see this not being the case is if the top one/two fluctuates.

Meanwhile: SPL: Clubs set new financial fair play rules at Hampden meeting

Scottish Premier League clubs have voted at Hampden not to introduce fixed punishments for clubs reforming as new companies known as "newcos".
Instead sanctions will be imposed on a case-by-case basis.

Make of that what you will. My interpretation is that it'll be used to banish smaller clubs but let bigger ones escape the same punishment.

South of the border: England's Frank Lampard suffers training injury

The silver lining on the cloud. Lampard is likely one of the prima donnas that got AVB sacked and IMO he's past it living on past glories.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Judging from the other club's Chairman, it would appear that even the rest of the SPL are fed up now. It still remains to be seen how the SPL would cope without one of its big two; surely Celtic would have no choice but to join the English League?

I wouldn't bank on it. Chances are they'll stay in the SPL and stay top perpetually

 

[Donny Dave]

Brendan Rodgers is the new Liverpool manager.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18235961

 

[valenta]

Brendan Rodgers is the new Liverpool manager.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18235961

Well if Carroll already didn't fit into the Liverpool side, he certainly won't now, with the style of football Brendan Rodgers plays.

 

[richw]

Looking forward to liverpool emulating swansea's style of football, enjoyed watching swansea play. Would hope Liverpool budget will bring in better players than Swansea and perform the style a whole lot better!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Brendan Rodgers is the new Liverpool manager.

You can already hear the rejoicing at this news amongst the Wigan Athletic supporters who have now not lost their iconic manager.

I forsee an outbreak of "pie eating" in celebration tonight in Wigan...

 

[blackettstreet]

Looking forward to liverpool emulating swansea's style of football, enjoyed watching swansea play. Would hope Liverpool budget will bring in better players than Swansea and perform the style a whole lot better!

Perhaps, slowly but surely, English football would move towards the superior passing style of play often seen in Europe. It wouldn't be before time! :roll:

 

[sonic2009]

I wouldn't want Wigan fans to count their chickens just yet, Roberto could be off to Villa, it's all a merry-go-round with managers. Or could he return to Swansea?

 

[SS4]

Perhaps, slowly but surely, English football would move towards the superior passing style of play often seen in Europe. It wouldn't be before time! :roll:

Superior? Also in Europe is rampant diving, outlawed tackling and two horse title races.

Tackling and strong, forceful play has it's charm as does work rate and professionalism. I'd stop watching football if we started playing like they do in Spain or Italy

 

[anthony263]

Swansea city fans already up in arms over this especially since he originally turned down the opportunity to hold talks with Liverpool.

There are bets on that Roberto will be back at Swansea from Wigan soemthing which wouldnt really surprise me

I think the chairman and the board at Swansea city must have gueseed this would happen considering how well Swansea have done this year unlike Cardiff

Stil a lot of fans are wishing him luck myself included although we are very disapointed.

Although we do hope whoever the new manager will be that they will be able to carry on what Brendadn etc started.

 

[tigerroar]

http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=923

Please have a look at this article which sets out how Darlington have got into the position they are in.

It is worth noting the "advice" given by the FA and their subsequent actions.

I will say I am all for a fair, equitable, reasonable and just punishment. However, this punishment borders on the cruel, petty and vindictive.

Now don't take this personally but.....

Given that your club hasn't fulfilled the same obligations as clubs who haven't gone "bust" this year then I think whats happened is perfectly fair and it's long passed that the authorities should start to clamp down hard on this in football.

Looking at the likes of Kings Lynn, Ilkeston, Halifax, Chester, Nuneaton, Farnborough, Telford etc etc all have gone pop and then enjoyed immediate success. Two of those clubs are back in the Conference already.

My club suffered the same difficulties as the above but cleared the debt, got relegated and basically started again but slashing the wage bill by 80% and using county league standard players, rebuilding slowly over a decade.

I think it's a shambles that a club can start again at the same ground with the same colours and the same nickname with just a slight alteration to the club name.

Again, it's nothing personal

 

[DarloRich]

I disagree with you @tigerroar. No other club has been punished as much as we have. No other club has been damaged so much by a decade of ownership by various "fit and proper" persons. No other group of fans have been punished so much for trying to save their club. The FA even preach how important the fans are, how fan involvement and enfranchisement is the key to the future of the game and yet they try to destroy a fan owned, democratically run club before it even gets off the ground

I mean we raised bloody money to finish the season and preserve the integrity of the FA competition. For what? The FA advice to other clubs in similar difficulties seems to be that you should fold rather than trying to save the club, because if you do you will just be punished. That was money that hard up people found to try and save the club. Yet the FA thinks that it is ok to simply laugh at that hard work and sacrifice. The FA doesn’t even have the good grace to acknowledge the fact that the fans saved the club.

You think it is fair that those of us who sacrificed almost everything to save our club should be kicked in the balls while the "fit and proper" people allegedly responsible walk away. Do you think that is fair? Do you think that is just?

Do you think it is fair for those fans to be punished by the FA for following advice given by the FA? It is alleged that:

1) The FA blocked the proposed CVA. We have one main creditor who is the former owner. I will not comment on his debt free/loans/ monies due to him claims. All other parties agreed the CVA but the FA blocked the deal. We are then punished for having no CVA! The footballing creditors have been or will be paid on an agreed basis.

2) The FA, allegedly, indicated that the choice of ground would have no impact on which league we would play in. We are then punished for having a substandard ground which was selected, it is alleged, after consultation with the FA

3) The FA are treating us as a new club as, it is alleged, the former "fit and proper" owner will not transfer the footballing share. It is alleged that the FA indicated this would not be a problem, that a new share would be issued and that it would have no bearing on which league we were placed in. The FA then indicate that because we have no footballing share we are a new club and must start in the Northern League!

4) Because we are a new club (which we are not) we can not play in any FA completion (Cup/Trophy/Vase) next season because the 'new club', which the FA told us we were on Friday 25th May, was not registered by April 1st. The old club applied, but obviously not the 'new club' as it didn't exist! We are now in the realms of Monty Python here as we ARE allowed in the league even though neither the old nor new club applied for a berth at Northern League level in time!

5) Because we are a "new club" and are not registered with the county FA we can not appeal (we were registered with the County FA as the FA now acknowledge so we can now appeal! This is now a farce!)

6) We are then told we have to change our name as Darlington FC no longer exists despite it looking very much alive to everyone else. Well fu8k them!

7) It is then alleged that the FA informed the Northern League 7 weeks ago we would be a member this year. Now that to me sounds like pre judging our case before they even heard the evidence.

It looks like the newco were naive in trusting what they were told by the custodians of the game in this country. Every Darlo fan accepts there needs to be a punishment. A decade of poor financial governance by a series of “fit and proper” owners have seen to that. However that punishment needs to be fair and reasonable.

You think it is fair to follow the alleged advice given by the custodians of the game to the newco to the letter and then be very harshly punished for doing so? A four league demotion?

To me that isn’t a fair and equitable punishment. I am very happy to accept, and in fact demand, a reasonable and fair punishment. However this just feels cruel, vindictive and petty.

 

[Scotrail84]

We have had theads with regard to either Celtic or Rangers possibly joining the English league system before, with quotations from various bodies from FIFA, UEFA and downwards giving their views on the matter.

I just cannot face this matter surfacing again..

It wasnt me who said Celtic would have no choice but to move to Ingerland, it was someone i quoted. Personally i want them out the league along with Rangers and they can take their sectarianism and bigotry with them.

Not just survive but improve. If only for a few years before Champions League money creates a new top 2 - the only way I can see this not being the case is if the top one/two fluctuates.

This probably wouldnt happen as Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee Utd and Kilmarnock are all fairly evenly matched.

Make of that what you will. My interpretation is that it'll be used to banish smaller clubs but let bigger ones escape the same punishment.

As usual a cop out to benefit the old firm

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wouldn't want Wigan fans to count their chickens just yet, Roberto could be off to Villa, it's all a merry-go-round with managers. Or could he return to Swansea?

There was a statement very late last night from Dave Whelen of Wigan Athletic stating that the club were willing to fund and build the £1.5 million training academy that Roberto Martinez has just told them would be something that he could use to further his managerial career at Wigan Athletic. Make of that response, as you will, now that the Liverpool position has closed.

With regard to the Aston Villa situation, what is the latest official statement that has been issued by the club.

 

[SS4]

There was a statement very late last night from Dave Whelen of Wigan Athletic stating that the club were willing to fund and build the £1.5 million training academy that Roberto Martinez has just told them would be something that he could use to further his managerial career at Wigan Athletic. Make of that response, as you will, now that the Liverpool position has closed.

With regard to the Aston Villa situation, what is the latest official statement that has been issued by the club.

Officially nothing from Villa Park but this is not unusual, it's long being the practice to keep our proverbial cards to our chest. Not sure if anything has come from Carrow Road though.

Unofficially [according to the Evening Mail] it looks practically a dead cert

 

[tigerroar]

Rich, I won't pretend to know too much about your situation and from what I have read you've not been treated well but one thing that you don't seem to realise is that fans don't matter. I'm not going to try to show you some kind of analogy but I've learned enough around the non-league circuit over the years that they simply don't matter!

My real gripe here is seeing how clubs have taken a two division relegation hit and won promotion back to where they were within two or three seasons. The current system is a mockery.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Officially nothing from Villa Park but this is not unusual, it's long being the practice to keep our proverbial cards to our chest. Not sure if anything has come from Carrow Road though.

The latest news from Carrow Road is that Paul Lambert, the manager of Norwich City, has formerly offered his resignation, but the club have stated that this resignation has not been accepted.

See all this disruption to quite a few clubs....caused just by one particular Merseyside club's decision not to keep their manager....

 

[Donny Dave]

See all this disruption to quite a few clubs....caused just by one particular Merseyside club's decision not to keep their manager....

It all started with the FA poaching Roy Hodgson to be the new England manager though

 

[Oswyntail]

......See all this disruption to quite a few clubs....caused just by one particular Merseyside club's decision not to keep their manager....

Slightly less than your usual even-handedness there, PS. There is usually a shuffling of managers around this time of year, and Liverpool are no worse than others. At least they are being fairly open about the process they are going through, unlike a certain Midlands club who seem to have targetted another club's manager without telling them.
Wouldn't it be nice, though, if such jobs were advertised and only those applying were considered. Like in real life.