Football

[Giugiaro]

Please, I need your help to understand one thing.

What happened to all the flgas during the World Cup? At first it was common, as usual, to see flags, banners and messages attached to walls and stuff. But now they are gone!

It feels so dull to see the fans standing there like if the stadium was covered with dolls.

Did big flags and banners get banned for security reasons?

 

[ExRes]

Who exactly decided that this was to be so ?

Obviously someone who never had a role model to follow ...........

 

[SS4]

Ronaldo is a great role model - for Tom Daly. How he hasn't been sent off for dissent/simulation I don't know

 

[Karl]

Please, I need your help to understand one thing.

What happened to all the flgas during the World Cup? At first it was common, as usual, to see flags, banners and messages attached to walls and stuff. But now they are gone!

It feels so dull to see the fans standing there like if the stadium was covered with dolls.

Did big flags and banners get banned for security reasons?

I agree with you. I asked the very same question earlier in the thread. I haven't heard anything official but I'm guessing that there's been some order from FIFA to instruct the stewards at the games to keep stadium hoardings clear of flags and banners.

The feel and atmosphere is just not like the usual World Cup atmosphere of past tournaments.

I'm currently watching the very entertaining USA v Portugal match at the Manaus venue and I'm curious as to why there's a complete lack of draped flags anywhere in the stadium. It certainly detracts from the atmosphere when there's a lack of visual effects usually produced from the fans' efforts of adding to the occasion.

When England played their match at the same stadium the flags added to the visual atmosphere.

Have FIFA banned flags now?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Obviously someone who never had a role model to follow ...........

The transfer of "role model" to someone exterior to family figures is indeed a sad reflection on society today and the media are greatly to blame for this in their never-ending dumbing-down of family values and their exhortation of shallow values for the young people to follow.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

As a matter of interest who do you think is the greatest player, past and present ?

Taking past to mean retired and present to mean still active: Tugay Kerimoglu and Brad Friedel respectively.

In all honesty though I dislike the 'greatest player ever?' question. You can't compare for example Maldini to Maradona or Best to Buffon.

 

[Johnuk123]

Taking past to mean retired and present to mean still active: Tugay Kerimoglu and Brad Friedel respectively.

In all honesty though I dislike the 'greatest player ever?' question. You can't compare for example Maldini to Maradona or Best to Buffon.

Blimey a couple of strange picks there.

You're right about the "greatest tag" you could possibly narrow it down to forward, defender, midfielder and goalie.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Going back to the role model question, I do think aspiring to people like Wayne Rooney or whoever for getting out of where they came from isn't necessarily a bad thing. God only knows what the likes of him and others would have done if they weren't doing what they are now. Sure, some of his on and off -field behavior is questionable but it's no small feat getting from a poor kid on Merseyside to one of the most recognisable names in world sport.

Also, I do think there are some footballers you can aspire to be like - Carles Puyol is one of the best defenders of the past half century yet hasn't been to a nightclub for years and apparently prefers to spend his time reading. Tugay Kerimoglu was a very quiet family man who hardly ever gave interviews and always treated the opposition and officials with utmost respect even at the hottest heat of the battle. Steve Simonsen is probably the most humble and family dedicated people I've ever seen, a very polite and decent person.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Blimey a couple of strange picks there.

I was obviously joking but they remain my two favourite players ever and they absolutely mesmerised me back in the day watching Blackburn growing up. Both were greatly underrated too, especially Tugay.

 

[CC 72100]

Going back to the role model question, I do think aspiring to people like Wayne Rooney or whoever for getting out of where they came from isn't necessarily a bad thing. God only knows what the likes of him and others would have done if they weren't doing what they are now. Sure, some of his on and off -field behavior is questionable but it's no small feat getting from a poor kid on Merseyside to one of the most recognisable names in world sport.

Also, I do think there are some footballers you can aspire to be like - Carles Puyol is one of the best defenders of the past half century yet hasn't been to a nightclub for years and apparently prefers to spend his time reading. Tugay Kerimoglu was a very quiet family man who hardly ever gave interviews and always treated the opposition and officials with utmost respect even at the hottest heat of the battle. Steve Simonsen is probably the most humble and family dedicated people I've ever seen, a very polite and decent person.
.

Indeed - and people like James Milner, who hasn't had a drink in years and just seems to quietly get one with it. I'm not saying he's a top, top player, but he's a fairly household name...

... although this does making him not very exciting - search twitter for @boringmilner for the spoof account which plays on this!

 

[muddythefish]

G
I was obviously joking but they remain my two favourite players ever and they absolutely mesmerised me back in the day watching Blackburn growing up. Both were greatly underrated too, especially Tugay.

Good man. Rovers fan here too. They were both good players for the club but then I presume you never saw Bryan Douglas or Ronnie Clayton ?

 

[richw]

Just seen Specsavers posted this advert to their Facebook page! Made me chuckle.

 

[SS4]

I might not be a fan of the French team but La Marseillaise is one great anthem

 

[Oswyntail]

Suarez may be a fantastic footballer. And he is. But he really is a mentalist. He should get a long ban

I have been away for a fortnight, so have missed most of the discussion. But when Mrs O (the football follower) told me that Suarez had scored the two goals that knocked England out I predicted a) a campaign in the British media against him, probably bringing up the biting allegations and b) that some lumbering defender being given the run around would give him a healthy whack in the chops and claim he was bitten. So far, so right. (The photos show nothing):roll:

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Suarez has not met the 2100 deadline (British time) to submit his defence to FIFA.

 

[SS4]

I have been away for a fortnight, so have missed most of the discussion. But when Mrs O (the football follower) told me that Suarez had scored the two goals that knocked England out I predicted a) a campaign in the British media against him, probably bringing up the biting allegations and b) that some lumbering defender being given the run around would give him a healthy whack in the chops and claim he was bitten. So far, so right. (The photos show nothing):roll:

Did he have a pair of joke teeth to imprint a bite? Suarez has history. I also doubt the British media even care now England are out

FWIW Suarez wasn't even touched before taking a dive or if he was certainly nothing enough to act like he'd been shot

 

[muddythefish]

I have been away for a fortnight, so have missed most of the discussion. But when Mrs O (the football follower) told me that Suarez had scored the two goals that knocked England out I predicted a) a campaign in the British media against him, probably bringing up the biting allegations and b) that some lumbering defender being given the run around would give him a healthy whack in the chops and claim he was bitten. So far, so right. (The photos show nothing):roll:

If in doubt blame the press. Even when defending the indefensible.

 

[ExRes]

I have been away for a fortnight, so have missed most of the discussion. But when Mrs O (the football follower) told me that Suarez had scored the two goals that knocked England out I predicted a) a campaign in the British media against him, probably bringing up the biting allegations and b) that some lumbering defender being given the run around would give him a healthy whack in the chops and claim he was bitten. So far, so right. (The photos show nothing):roll:

So the Italian then bit his own shoulder did he ?, I think maybe you should give your rose tinted glasses a bit of a clean

 

[Darandio]

So far, so right.

Really? British Press?

When you consider the majority of the sporting press in other countries are saying the exact same thing?

 

[CallySleeper]

When you consider the majority of the sporting press in other countries are saying the exact same thing?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28015683

Luis Suarez: global scrutiny after Giorgio Chiellini 'bite'

From Montevideo to Mumbai, Luis Suarez's alleged bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini drew - and continues to draw - plenty of interest. Here, BBC Sport looks at some of media and social media reaction to Tuesday's controversial incident.

The view from South America

Suarez brushed the incident off in post-match interviews and Uruguay captain Diego Lugano questioned Chiellini's integrity. It seems the country's media are in a similarly defiant mood.

Montevideo-based newspaper El Observador says photographs of a bite mark on Chiellini's left shoulder are not conclusive and claims Suarez is being targeted unfairly.

The British media comes in for criticism for its treatment of the Liverpool striker, with Uruguayan broadcaster Tenfield opting to go back in time to take up the fight.

It wanted to know how England were able to win the 1966 World Cup with a goal that did not cross the line, in reference to Geoff Hurst's second goal in the 4-2 victory over West Germany.

 

[bb21]

I keep hearing and reading that footballers are supposed to be 'role models', what a joke that is, if these overpaid and arrogant children are role models then that explains why our streets and prisons are full of self interested yobs

Society will continue to fall apart all the time this dreadful, childish celeb culture takes first place in newspapers and on TV

Obviously someone who never had a role model to follow ...........

The problem with role models is that we cannot choose who we would like to be role models in our society, but something rather forced onto us in this day and age obsessed with celebrities and glamorous lifestyles.

People who get lots of exposure in the public life would have a disproportionate amount of influence on a large section of the younger generation.

 

[Giugiaro]

I agree with you. I asked the very same question earlier in the thread. I haven't heard anything official but I'm guessing that there's been some order from FIFA to instruct the stewards at the games to keep stadium hoardings clear of flags and banners.

The feel and atmosphere is just not like the usual World Cup atmosphere of past tournaments.

Finally got some results:

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/world-cup-2014/382279/St-George-s-flag-ban-England-fans-fury

Some things just don't make any sense at all. If they keep at it and extend these rules to UEFA and domestic games, I'll forever lose my interest in going to matches.

 

[richw]

Liverpool's board have called an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the matter.

 

[Chapeltom]

I have been away for a fortnight, so have missed most of the discussion. But when Mrs O (the football follower) told me that Suarez had scored the two goals that knocked England out I predicted a) a campaign in the British media against him, probably bringing up the biting allegations and b) that some lumbering defender being given the run around would give him a healthy whack in the chops and claim he was bitten. So far, so right. (The photos show nothing):roll:

Please tell me you are joking? The images/videos of the incident are clear as they could be, that Suarez did bite Chiellini. It is his third offence and there is no evidence to suggest any kind of deteriminate ban will work.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Why on earth would Chiellini, one of the best, experienced and model defenders in the world at the zenith of his career, raise his shoulder to a player he has no reason to have an agenda against, in his own box and in the final quarter of a game that decides whether or not they progress in the World Cup? He overreacted yes but absolutely never in a million years did Chiellini instigate it and to claim otherwise is absolutely breathtaking. Suarez is deranged, the help Liverpool provided him with post-Ivanovic has obviously made no difference whatsoever.

 

[Butts]

Liverpool's board have called an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the matter.

Looks like he'll be off to Real Madrid or Barcelona - don't think he'd be welcome in Italy

If the above transpire a huge loss for Liverpool, of title aspirations - like Argentina without Messi

 

[meridian2]

The problem with role models is that we cannot choose who we would like to be role models in our society, but something rather forced onto us in this day and age obsessed with celebrities and glamorous lifestyles.

People who get lots of exposure in the public life would have a disproportionate amount of influence on a large section of the younger generation.

Celebrities and role models are mutually exclusive people. A person is more than capable of making their own mind up when choosing a role model.
My two nephews get a lot of exposure to celebrities through our media, but they are not their role models. In fact, I would go as far as to say that their role model was someone much more closer to home.
Young people dream about being celebrities all the time, but an object of desire is not the same thing as a role model. An object of desire is for dreams and daydreams. A role model is someone we can associate with.

 

[Bill Stanier]

Biting other people is something a small number of naughty toddlers do. They get disciplined and by age 3 they have grown out of it.

This football person clearly has a deep personality defect in that he still does it, and history indicates he will continue to do it in future.

Maybe, like a potentially dangerous dog, he should be muzzled in public, and certainly when on the football field.

 

[r45]

It's a shame cos he's a frighteningly good player. Hope this doesn't ruin his career, would be a shame for the whole game imo.

 

[CallySleeper]

Breaking: Suarez has been banned from appearing in the next nine international games, and four months of 'football-related activities'

Presumably, this includes training with Liverpool or his national side. FIFA have also fined him £66k.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28023882

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has been suspended from all football-related activity for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
The 27-year-old Liverpool player has also been banned for nine international matches, ruling him out of the rest of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
It means he will miss the first nine games of the Premier League season.

Happy. Days!

 

[SS4]

Breaking: Suarez has been banned from appearing in the next nine international games, and four months of 'football-related activities'

Presumably, this includes training with Liverpool or his national side. FIFA have also fined him £66k.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28023882



Happy. Days!

Wrist, meet slap