The NCAP Soccerball Thread

[AndyRM]

I knew he would come out with something like that, particularly after the ludicrous Qatar speech four years ago “Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel [like] a migrant worker.” He is actually worse than Blatter, and that is saying something.

Jeezo, I'd forgotten about that.

I recently read somewhere that Blatter had essentially laid out the parts and created a blueprint for a bomb to completely destroy FIFA's remaining credibility; Infantino has assembled those parts and started the timer.

I think that's a pretty fair assessment.

If they expand it to 66 teams in 2030 (as is being considered, pushed by CONMEBOL) I think I might be done with international football. They'll end up with a two tiered World Cup and football will become a never ending cycle which even the most die hard of fans will have to concede is far too much.

 

[Beebo]

Jeezo, I'd forgotten about that.

I recently read somewhere that Blatter had essentially laid out the parts and created a blueprint for a bomb to completely destroy FIFA's remaining credibility; Infantino has assembled those parts and started the timer.

I think that's a pretty fair assessment.

If they expand it to 66 teams in 2030 (as is being considered, pushed by CONMEBOL) I think I might be done with international football. They'll end up with a two tiered World Cup and football will become a never ending cycle which even the most die hard of fans will have to concede is far too much.

32 is the perfect number IMO.
There is always a problem with how the global split of teams works and some good European teams will miss out at the expense of “lesser” teams.

But FIFA is so political that they are under pressure from all sides, and every one thinks they should be allowed to play. The only solution to keep everyone happy is to expand the tournament. Which is stupid.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Jeezo, I'd forgotten about that.

I recently read somewhere that Blatter had essentially laid out the parts and created a blueprint for a bomb to completely destroy FIFA's remaining credibility; Infantino has assembled those parts and started the timer.

I think that's a pretty fair assessment.

If they expand it to 66 teams in 2030 (as is being considered, pushed by CONMEBOL) I think I might be done with international football. They'll end up with a two tiered World Cup and football will become a never ending cycle which even the most die hard of fans will have to concede is far too much.

I know I sound like a terrible football snob, but I prefer the Euros just because the football is better and it does not come with quite as much ridiculous corporate baggage as the world cup, it does still seem to be more about the football which the WC no longer really feels like.

 

[Rusty Nails]

If they expand it to 66 teams in 2030 (as is being considered, pushed by CONMEBOL) I think I might be done with international football. They'll end up with a two tiered World Cup and football will become a never ending cycle which even the most die hard of fans will have to concede is far too much.

The answer to all this lies with the fans and the clubs. If people just put their addiction to one side for a short while and boycotted a tournament or a number of international matches then it would have to change. If clubs said enough is enough and our top players are being pushed too hard that would also bring about change.
The only thing that FIFA/Infantino (and all the tinpot administrators of national federations) understand is money and only if this looks like drying up will change be forced on them.
This is a system where the power of those at the top comes from the money of those they are fleecing, and the sheep being fleeced come back for more.

 

[UglyWithaSidePart]

According to Infantino, we should just "chill" and "relax" about all the nonsense from the US in the build up to the World Cup...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgj40vymlyo

What an odious pr!ck he is. I didn't think he'd be much better than Blatter, equally I didn't expect him to be so much worse.

The BBC headline is quite revealing, even the BBC appear to have listened to the room.
"

Infantino could have stood up for the World Cup - but he said 'chill, relax'​

"

 

[AndyRM]

The answer to all this lies with the fans and the clubs. If people just put their addiction to one side for a short while and boycotted a tournament or a number of international matches then it would have to change. If clubs said enough is enough and our top players are being pushed too hard that would also bring about change.
The only thing that FIFA/Infantino (and all the tinpot administrators of national federations) understand is money and only if this looks like drying up will change be forced on them.
This is a system where the power of those at the top comes from the money of those they are fleecing, and the sheep being fleeced come back for more.

While I don't disagree with the sentiment of what you're saying, it does come across a bit like you're blaming the victims.

I can't think of any boycotts that have effected meaningful change, because there's absolutely no chance you're getting everyone on board. We tried one at Killie to oust our previous owner and all it did was drive a wedge between fans which has never really recovered.

Didn't work either, it the illness and death of his wife which prompted him to sell up.

 

[icowden]

Well, it's already going well with fans losing thousands of pounds:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c15y4l2zgnxo

Scotland fan has US visa revoked an hour before flying to World Cup​

Michael, who emigrated to Australia nine years ago, applied for his ESTA in March.

He travelled home to Greenock to spend two weeks with his family before preparing to head off to the US with no concerns about his visa status.

"In my eyes, there's no valid reason for them to decline it," he said.

"I live in what most people would say is the second hardest country in the world to get a visa. I've been living there nearly 10 years, reapplying for visas and completing police checks.

UK citizens who want to go to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa need to apply to the country's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

But dozens of fans who filled out the form have said on social media that their application status had changed in the days leading up to the World Cup kicking off on Thursday.

 

[Rusty Nails]

While I don't disagree with the sentiment of what you're saying, it does come across a bit like you're blaming the victims.

I can't think of any boycotts that have effected meaningful change, because there's absolutely no chance you're getting everyone on board. We tried one at Killie to oust our previous owner and all it did was drive a wedge between fans which has never really recovered.

Didn't work either, it the illness and death of his wife which prompted him to sell up.

Football fans are not victims. They are choosing to watch top football despite the clear evidence they are being exploited.

The answer is in their hands, but if not enough of them are prepared to put up with the short term sacrifices they will have to live with what we have now...or wait until football decides it wants to elect leadership bodies that care more for fans than profits.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Mexican crowd booed the stars & stripes during the opening ceremony I believe

 

[Pblakeney]

Mexican crowd booed the stars & stripes during the opening ceremony I believe

I’m curious about why it would be played in the first place.
A co-host, yes but not the host. Only disclaimer, was the Canadian anthem played?

 

[Dorset Boy]

I’m curious about why it would be played in the first place.
A co-host, yes but not the host. Only disclaimer, was the Canadian anthem played?

Flag, not anthem I think.
I didn't see it, but my son told me

 

[AndyRM]

Considering Trump's disdain for both co-hosts, it's not exactly a surprise that anything USA related gets booed.

If he wasn't such an arrogant dimwit he might realise that other than his MAGAlytes he's pretty much universally despised and ridiculed.

Still, given the pathetic state of the UK political world right now, I suppose it's a case of glass houses and all that.

 

[First Aspect]

Shame on you, Canada.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn8qgny4186o

 

[Dorset Boy]

Shame on you, Canada.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn8qgny4186o

Not really given Partey is almost certainly a rapist

 

[First Aspect]

Insusoect if he wasn't a footballer

Not really given Partey is almost certainly a rapist

I did some background reading. I am somewhat surprised that even with a clear itinerary and evidence of a temporary visit, suspicion of criminality is enough. I can't recall aajor sporting event being effected like this before though.