World Cup 2026

[AndyRM]

Opinions differ on that word in that sentence. Hence the discussion over the last few posts.

He was wrong to handle it, but the ref (or linesman) should have seen it, hence my use of the word.

He wouldn't have got away with it these days.

 

[matticus]

Unless I'm mistaken, Spain have only conceded one goal all tournament.
They are/will be hard to beat.

... and couldn't score against 'Verde! It's all swings and roundabouts - you don't know how each matchup will play out until you see it, I'd say that's the beauty of soccer! (whereas when NZ play Wales in rugby, the only variable is the winning margin.)

 

[AndyRM]

I see the Beeb have stuck this article back on the front of their sports page:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp9jn090kv2o

The headline:

"What happened to David Batty, who shook off penalty miss against Argentina?"

is one of the most annoyingly click baity ones they've come up with. Making out like he's gone off the rails massively or opted out.

He just wants b*gger all to do with football, and I suspect laughed at the article, if he read it at all.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

It's not my cup of tea either, but I think there's very much a tradition in some parts of the world of "playing the ref"/being "clever". Getting away with what you can is thought of as part of the game, and a skill when done well. At the worst it's considered a bit cheeky, but possibly endearingly so (at least if it's your team).

This is very much a thing in Argentina, they actually have a word for it but I can't remember it. It's why players like Maradona are so revered in addition to their football skills. They also love players like Michael Owen as they thought he was an expert in conning the ref with dives and that is all part and parcel of being a footballer.

 

[AndyRM]

This is very much a thing in Argentina, they actually have a word for it but I can't remember it. It's why players like Maradona are so revered in addition to their football skills. They also love players like Michael Owen as they thought he was an expert in conning the ref with dives and that is all part and parcel of being a footballer.

Malandro.

I'm a fan of it. Kind of player who drives you absolutely insane, but you'd happily have him in your team and defend him to the hilt.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Malandro.

I'm a fan of it. Kind of player who drives you absolutely insane, but you'd happily have him in your team and defend him to the hilt.

I'd prefer it didn't exist but if it does I want my players to be better at it than anyone else.

 

[Beebo]

There is always one.
Why bother telling the press about this? Who cares, it’s just advertising to the whole world that you’re a knob.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq616emqr51o

 

[matticus]

It's Sport, not War - therefore it's not Win At All Costs. Unfortunately there will be grey areas, but as it's not life-n-death, it's ok to have different views, or even make compromises. It's also not like cyclists taking EPO; you CAN win clean.

So I'm ok with my players occasionally kicking someone a bit, or exaggerating a trip to get a pen. But if we win by a Hand-of-God incident, I'd be genuinely torn, and would regard it as a tainted trophy. Likewise with something like eye-gouging (not sure the soccer equivalent!).

Other views are available, and that's fine!

 

[BoldonLad]

Oh dear, I feel as I do when I am at the pub with my drinking pals. Myself and one other who are complete football ignoramuses, surrounded by knowledgeable football fans (maybe I flatter slightly 😊).

Myself, and, my fellow non-football fan Pal, are familiar with the stigma of no-one wanting you on their team at school, because of your ineptitude. Actually, my Pal is even more traumatised than myself, his school mates would only allow him to be a corner flag.

Hopefully, we (England) will win tonight.

 

[Pross]

There is always one.
Why bother telling the press about this? Who cares, it’s just advertising to the whole world that you’re a knob.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq616emqr51o

How much does laser removal cost? Asking for my friend Sean.

 

[BoldonLad]

There is always one.
Why bother telling the press about this? Who cares, it’s just advertising to the whole world that you’re a knob.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq616emqr51o

I like this bit:

"Sean said his girlfriend has tried to reason with him on some of his more unusual ideas," 😂

 

[No Ta Doctor]

It's Sport, not War - therefore it's not Win At All Costs. Unfortunately there will be grey areas, but as it's not life-n-death, it's ok to have different views, or even make compromises. It's also not like cyclists taking EPO; you CAN win clean.

So I'm ok with my players occasionally kicking someone a bit, or exaggerating a trip to get a pen. But if we win by a Hand-of-God incident, I'd be genuinely torn, and would regard it as a tainted trophy. Likewise with something like eye-gouging (not sure the soccer equivalent!).

Other views are available, and that's fine!

Not sure what eye-gouging equivalent would be in football. Studs raking down the achilles perhaps?

My own lines tend to be drawn more around violence/injury than cheating per se. But I wouldn't want to win a game with a deliberate handball straight into the goal, unless e.g. they'd dived to get a penalty earlier or something like that. I do remember losing an FA Cup final largely because of Stéphane Henchoz being Liverpool's best goalie on the day.... Ironically for any Irish Liverpool fans, that was the match that convinced Thierry Henry that honesty in the opponents box was a waste of time. He had a couple of decent calls for a possible penalty but he'd stayed on his feet and nothing was given, so he basically gave up trying to stay up from that day on (I'm thinking the handball was just an extension of that thinking really).

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Oh dear, I feel as I do when I am at the pub with my drinking pals. Myself and one other who are complete football ignoramuses, surrounded by knowledgeable football fans (maybe I flatter slightly 😊).

Myself, and, my fellow non-football fan Pal, are familiar with the stigma of no-one wanting you on their team at school, because of your ineptitude. Actually, my Pal is even more traumatised than myself, his school mates would only allow him to be a corner flag.

Hopefully, we (England) will win tonight.

Oh I used to get picked after Susan, the blind one-legged leper with halitosis.

 

[icowden]

Myself, and, my fellow non-football fan Pal, are familiar with the stigma of no-one wanting you on their team at school, because of your ineptitude. Actually, my Pal is even more traumatised than myself, his school mates would only allow him to be a corner flag.

Corner flag? He was lucky. Try being ginger and a bit neurodiverse. I wasn't allowed to hang out with the football kids. Very occasionally would get laughed at if a football came near me and someone called to kick it back as I'd either miss it or it would just go in the wrong direction.

 

[Beebo]

It's Sport, not War - therefore it's not Win At All Costs. Unfortunately there will be grey areas, but as it's not life-n-death, it's ok to have different views, or even make compromises. It's also not like cyclists taking EPO; you CAN win clean.

So I'm ok with my players occasionally kicking someone a bit, or exaggerating a trip to get a pen. But if we win by a Hand-of-God incident, I'd be genuinely torn, and would regard it as a tainted trophy. Likewise with something like eye-gouging (not sure the soccer equivalent!).

Other views are available, and that's fine!

I know it’s not cheating by an individual, but. The most egregious error that still annoys me is the Hamilton Verstappen debacle.

It was clear manipulation of the rules by the governing body.

And the fact that Verstappen and his team/fans were prepared to stand and defend something so wrong really pissed me off.