FIFA poppy argument doesnt stand on any kind of moral ground

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FIFA poppy argument doesnt stand on any kind of moral ground FIFA may be in charge of governing football across the globe, but lately the leading authority has been involved in a great deal of corruption and scandal creating a negative image for the organization and world football in general.  In fact, in terms of morality FIFA has little ground to stand on but yet it did not announce that England, Scotland, and Wales football teams should not place poppies on their shirts over the weekend because it would be a political symbol that does not adhere to the standards of keeping football a neutral sport.

However, despite the claims by FIFA not too many people seemed actually concerned about the idea of the UK teams wearing poppies given the fact that most would not even likely notice.  FIFA claimed that doing so would offend the Germans in the future if England were to play against their national team, but a senior football official in Germany stated that the German Federation would have no problem with this occurrence and that they would not be offended by the issue.  Despite this fact FIFA seems to have a problem with the simple poppy symbol that they do not seem willing to give up.

According to FIFA the poppy is too political controversial to be worn on the shirts, but in fact the poppy is actually the opposite of a symbol of politics as it is not meant to stand for any nation, party, or even class.  Instead, the poppy is supposed to be worn to help honour those who have died in past wars fighting to protect Britain.  The UK is not the only country that uses the poppy as its symbol of veteran remembrance as Canada also distributed poppies to help remember their fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day.

David Cameron himself stated that the poppy is not meant to be an issue of the right, left, Conservative, or Labour but that is instead something that can be worn to help show gratitude towards those that have served their country faithfully.  It is meant to be something that unites the country which is why it is so odd that the FIFA organization that is supposed to be based in neutral Switzerland would have such a large problem with the England team wearing the poppies in remembrance in their game against Spain the day before Remembrance Sunday actually takes place.  More ironic is the fact that the England team is playing on British soil and must listen to what is instructed to them by FIFA in Zurich.

It should not be too much of a surprise that FIFA is corrupt however given the fact that their Bureaucrat-In-Chief is a Frenchman named Jerome Valcke who serves as a general secretary with quite a spotted history.  In 2004 he was found guilty by a New York City judge of a sponsor agreement with VISA even though FIFA is supposed to have an exclusive contract with MasterCard and fined a large $60 million as a result with the entire organization still standing behind him.

What is ironic is that FIFA has taken such a harsh attitude over the issue when the team had the good graces to make them aware of their decision to wear the poppies in the first place.  Most likely, had England not said anything and simply showed up at the game wearing the poppies there is a very good chance that their choice would not have even been noticed.  Even if it had there would not have been any time to change it anyhow and likely the entire issue would have been void.

David Beckham’s Olympic dream

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David Beckham’s Olympic dream Despite being 36 years old, David Beckham still wants to play for his country in the Olympic Games which are taking place next year. The player has said that he still has the desire and determination to play and  has said that competing in the Olympic Games is a key goal in his career.

The football tournament that takes place at the Olympic Games is primarily for people under the age of 23, however three players who are older than this are allowed to compete. Stuart Pearce is organising the squad for the Olympic Games and it seems as if he is considering Beckham for the squad.

Beckham has commented, “It would be a great honour to be chosen to play for my country and despite people saying that I am too old, I do still play for the country and have been doing so for a long time. I’m still fit and enjoy playing so I’m not done yet.”

Some people have criticised David Beckham saying that he lacks pace and his playing is predictable, often this criticism comes not because of his age but because of his style of playing. However Mr Beckham seems unaffected by those people who want him to leave football behind.

Right now, Beckham is dedicated to helping his current team, LA Galaxy win the trophy in the Major Soccer League which is currently taking place in the United States. Several clubs in the UK have also shown an interest in recruiting him into their current squad, he has said, “To be considered for such great teams at this late stage in my career is a great honour.”

Beckham has not said much about his plans for after he retires, but many expect that he would take a franchise share in the American league.

Millwall to go private

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Millwall to go private Millwall is a football club that has been publicly owned for over 20 years  but John Berylson, an American businessmen, has just announced that he will be making it private. Since 2007 when he made his first investment in the club, Berylson has slowly been taking control of the club and has been involved in a great many restructurings of the finances of the club.

The delisting will leave the club in near total control by the chairman and when it was announced that the club would be going private shares fell nearly 40%. Only five years ago most of the club was owned by fans and small shareholders, but now the vast majority of it is owned by Mr Berylson and other directors of the club. This meant it was very easy for them to decide to make the club a private entity.

Once the club has been taken private it is expected that the board will vote to redevelop the grounds and stadium where the club play. It is expected that this investment will ultimately bring a good return to any shareholders who are left. Despite its recent promotion to the championship, Millwall continue to make a loss and the club has only survived thanks to loans from Mr Berylson. These loans were later traded for equity in the club.

The reason for the delisting has been given by the club as a cost saving exercise. Its shares are traded relatively infrequently and the club estimates that it is having to pay £100,000 a year to be a public company. A third party body will be set up to help those with a small interest in the club sell their shares.

Les Ferdinand speaks out about racial issues in football

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Les Ferdinand speaks out about racial issues in football According to Les Ferdinand, a one-time England striker, John Terry should quit international football, if he did in fact spew racial abuse at Anton Ferdinand, his cousin. This statement comes after an investigation by the Football Association was announced, to determine whether or not John Terry yelled a racial slur at Ferdinand, during a match between the Queens Parks Rangers and Chelsea, in a Premier League Match. Terry has denied leveling any type of racial abuse at Ferdinand and has stated that he is fine with the inquiry because it gives him a chance to prove his innocence.

At the Black List Awards, Les Ferdinand, spoke about the incident. It was there that he stated that Terry should give up playing if he did call Anton Ferdinand a racist name. Even though Ferdinand acknowledged that the final decision is up to FA, he wanted it to be known what his feelings were about what would warrant an appropriate punishment. Terry doesn’t believe that a fine would be adequate enough, in terms of punishment. Low level financial fines in the past have seemingly ignored or downplayed the racism that exists in football.

Fabio Capello, who is the England manager, by all accounts is going to have Terry join his team for their friendly matches against Sweden and Spain. Rio Ferdinand, won’t likely play. This decision is believed to be football and only football, related. However, there may be additional reasons for it as well. Excluding Rio would ensure that he and Terry would avoid contact with each. Rio is the brother of Anton Ferdinand, the player Terry allegedly yelled the racial slur at.

The investigation by the FA has already begun. The organization has started to talk to witnesses and government representatives. They have already spent some time at the QPR training ground. Anton Ferdinand is believed to have been interviewed, along with three or more of his QPR teammates.

According to Ferdinand, he didn’t actually hear Terry make the racial slur. He learned of it later and then watched a video of the incident. During the matches 85th minute, Terry reportedly mouthed a racially charged insult toward Ferdinand.  Terry refutes that version of events, stating that he never made such a statement and never called Ferdinand, the term he has been accused of.

Immediately after the game, Ferdinand never made mention that Terry said something inappropriate to him. He spoke with Terry after the match concluded but apparently was not satisfied with what was said because he asked the FA to investigate.

The FA has not announced when they will conclude their investigation. If it not completed soon, then it may make life a bit uncomfortable for Terry, because England is set to compete against Sweden and Spain in friendlies. Though there has been no official word, according to sources close to the investigation, the investigation should be finished in about a week. It is believed that it will take about that long to interview witnesses and take a look at the evidence. Once the aforementioned has been done, the FA legal team will need to decide whether or not further action is needed, specifically, whether or not charges should be filed. As it stands, the investigation has not been fast tracked. It may even be slowed down because of Ferdinand and Terry’s clubs, game commitments.

Vision release Book of Football Records 2012

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Vision release Book of Football Records 2012

Vision release Book of Football Records 2012

Vision release Book of Football Records 2012

By Clive Batty

Published by Vision Sports

Out Now! RRP £16.99 ISBN 9781 90763 7322

Football fans live being able to rattle off a whole list of facts and statistics, such as which premier league club has the noisiest fans, and who’s the only player to have won the Champion’s league with three different teams. If you know someone like this who you know wants to build up their football knowledge, then the perfect Christmas present for them is the Book Of Football Records 2012, published by vision sports.

Brothers, dads, Grandfathers, and of course all those female footie fans out there, will be overjoyed to get their hands on this book. This is the third edition of this book and its quirky and colourful format will no doubt ensure that it enjoys the success of its predecessors.

This great book is packed full of facts, records, amazing and facts from the beautiful game. There are entries on every league club in England, as well as the Scottish SPL teams. It also has features on all the top footballing nations, the major clubs dorm Europe and the rest of the world which encompasses every team from Boca Juniors to Barcelona, and also has a monster squad of footballing legends past and present.

In the 2012 edition you can find out..

• Which Brazilian star was sent off in 2011 after celebrating a goal by putting on a mask of himself?

• Why did an Indonesia player score an intentional own goal in a match against Thailand?

• Which player missed three penalties in the same international match?

• Which South American player became the first goalkeeper ever to score 100 goals?

• Which Premier League star has played 46 times for England without ever completing 90 minutes?

• Which 2011 match ended with the referee setting a new world record by sending off 36 players?

• Which club set a new Premier League record last season by failing to keep a clean sheet in 34 consecutive matches – but still managed to avoid relegation?

• In which country did a ref allow a goal ‘scored’ by a cheeky ball boy?

• Which Premier League manager has written three football novels?

• Who is the only player to have made more than 1,000 appearances for the same club?

• Which Dutch club signed an 18-month-old toddler this year after being impressed by his football skills in a YouTube video?

As if all that wasn’t enough……. there are a whole wealth of fun and quirky entries which celebrate the more bizarre footie facts and records like the referee who scored a goal with a blinding header and team that scored 149 own goals in one match!

This fact packed book of footy knowledge is available from bookshops now. See www.visionsp.co.ukfor more information.