L' Equipe on France's entry into the World Cup makes no excuses.

"Henry controlled the ball with his hand."

The article lambastes the team. When you call Kevin Doyle, the Leo Messi of the match then you know something is terribly wrong. If it was not for Hugo Lloris, France would not have qualified.

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Bruno Alves may be Portugal's Man of the Moment, but our sad and forgotten hero is Greaseano. He returned to training with the Pellegrini Pack yesterday, after witnessing his national team's narrow 1-0 victory over Bosnia. No one came to ask him if he wanted M&Ms during half time, so do forgive his bitterness.

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Eight days ago I tried to read up on African Champions League winners TP Mazembe, while keeping an eye on the game between Hannover and Hamburg. It was a frustrating experience, because I had to realize that neither my multitasking, nor Hamburg's ability to defend a lead was quite up to the challenge.

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Yesterday Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was handed a four-match touchline ban (two of which are suspended) and a £20,000 fine after remarks he made about referee Alan Wiley.


It is being reported today that there is still a chance that Wiley could sue Sir Alex for defamation. Click to continue reading...

From the NYT's "The Lede"

Coca Cola invokes the infamous 1989 match between Algeria and Egypt as part of their present ad campaign. Its all about marketing emotions and Coca Cola brings it up without any reference to the violent underbelly of that encounter.

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After a really disappointing 1-0 loss to Chelsea, Man United striker Wayne Rooney was seen mouthing ‘12 men' whilst walking off the pitch. There were quite a few decisions' that didn't go United's way, which is why he mouthed it.
Rooney has now said that it was a mistake to mouth that. Click to continue reading...

Yesterday Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was given a touchline ban and a fine after comments he made about referee Alan Wiley. United drew 2-2 with Sunderland at Old Trafford earlier on in the season, after the game, Sir Alex said that Wiley was ‘unfit'.
Sir Alex was given a four game ban, two of which are suspended until the end of the 2010/2011 season. Click to continue reading...

After Manchester United were robbed by the referee against Chelsea at the weekend, Wayne Rooney walked off the pitch and mouthed "12 men" at the Sky Sports camera. He has since been warned by the FA over his future conduct.

Rooney has today explained his comments, acknowledging he probably shouldn't have said it, but sure he would have said worse!

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Via the Narwhal (did Beau Dure really have to say she was suspended for "actions caught on video"?). I think it's an little bit of an over reaction, but we'll see what the final punishment is once this all blows over.

"I am deeply and wholeheartedly regretful for my actions," said Lambert.

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Movies and soccer. Two things that traditionally don't mix well. In documentary form, maybe. But in scripted Hollywood form? No. For various reasons, it usually ends in either cheesy emotions, unconvincing action, or Robert Duvall's Scottish accent in A Shot at Glory. But not always. There are a handful of good football movies out there. Click to continue reading...

Mike Ashley has taken Newcastle United off the market after 5 months and appointed Chris Hughton as permanent manager until the end of the 2010/2011 season. Emotions were running high when this was announced last night but I wanted to try and analyse the situation a little more objectively in the cold light of day. Click to continue reading...

And God said, Let there be beer. And there was beer.

And Arseblogger saw the beer, that it was good: and lo he did drink the beer.

And while God was off inventing firmament for the earth and fowl to multiply, Arseblogger did invent the *boilk* and the *boilk* was bad and he could still taste last night's chips.

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It is always a bit dodgy writing something so close to the end of the game, emotions are still running high and there is a tendency to say something a little stupid. However, the doom-mongers are out in force after we let slip a two goal lead away at West Ham, it could have been [...] Click to continue reading...

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid:

Chelsea will look to bounce back from their second loss of their domestic campaign. The Blues lost to Aston Villa at the weekend because of two lapses on set pieces but Ballack says that they are looking to eradicate those mistakes.

"John's (Terry) reaction on the pitch showed that he takes a big responsibility not just for himself but for the team," said Ballack.

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Oh my!
What a day.
My emotions are in shreds.
Work did not present anything out of the ordinary.
My lover and I continue to live together in hippy paradise.
So why the trauma?
Well it started at about 7.50am when I heard on the radio that Gareth Southgate had been sacked last night. Click to continue reading...

Lately he's been a man on a mission, and the Republic of Ireland international is hoping to continue his current form. That's right, I'm talking about Aston Villa center back Richard Dunne. The man is doing it all for Aston Villa right now, and it is paying major dividends for his club.

Let's rewind back two weeks you know, before that extremely boring international weekend?

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Three points, some nice attacking football, a good game to watch and third in the table. Put it like that, not a bad Saturday afternoon, but in truth, we got away with it. Emotions at the finish were a mixture of pleasure and relief. Saved by a couple of comedy misses. Like the Bolton game, [...] Click to continue reading...