Ultimate Football/Soccer Thread 2015-2016 + Euro 2016 Finals

[The Blaatschapen]

Guus Hiddink returns to Stamford Bridge as caretaker manager for the remainder of the season.

Chelsea's going down.

[Adab]

Guus Hiddink returns to Stamford Bridge as caretaker manager for the remainder of the season.

Chelsea's going down.

I predict glory for them. I can foresee Chelsea coming out as Championship victors next season!

[Liventia]

Guus Hiddink returns to Stamford Bridge as caretaker manager for the remainder of the season.

Chelsea's going down.

Better than Brendan Rodgers or Juande Ramos though.

[The Blaatschapen]

Chelsea's going down.

Better than Brendan Rodgers or Juande Ramos though.

You sure?

Hiddink is for a big part responsible for the fact that I have to watch something else on television this June

[Commerce Heights]

As the host nation, the United States earns the Group A seed, while Argentina, as the highest FIFA-ranked nation in the Americas (per December FIFA rankings), will be seeded top of Group D.

In celebration of the rich soccer tradition in the hemisphere and as the most decorated nations in the last 100 years in international competitions from their respective confederations, the national teams of Brazil and Mexico have also been awarded group seeds, and will head Groups B and C, respectively.

They’re really reaching for an excuse to seed Mexico rather than, say, the current Copa América champion and second-highest-ranked participant according to FIFA’s divining rod. The sporting integrity of the tournament is not nearly as important as ensuring that El Tri play their group games in Phoenix, Pasadena, and Houston.

[Liventia]

As the host nation, the United States earns the Group A seed, while Argentina, as the highest FIFA-ranked nation in the Americas (per December FIFA rankings), will be seeded top of Group D.

In celebration of the rich soccer tradition in the hemisphere and as the most decorated nations in the last 100 years in international competitions from their respective confederations, the national teams of Brazil and Mexico have also been awarded group seeds, and will head Groups B and C, respectively.

They’re really reaching for an excuse to seed Mexico rather than, say, the current Copa América champion and second-highest-ranked participant according to FIFA’s divining rod. The sporting integrity of the tournament is not nearly as important as ensuring that El Tri play their group games in Phoenix, Pasadena, and Houston.

That's hardly exclusive to football, at least. The ICC put India and Pakistan together every tournament…

[Commerce Heights]

They’re really reaching for an excuse to seed Mexico rather than, say, the current Copa América champion and second-highest-ranked participant according to FIFA’s divining rod. The sporting integrity of the tournament is not nearly as important as ensuring that El Tri play their group games in Phoenix, Pasadena, and Houston.

That's hardly exclusive to football, at least. The ICC put India and Pakistan together every tournament…

The ICC is an organization that openly declares the vast majority of its members to be second- and third-class citizens, which not even CONCACAF dares to do. They at least try to hide their favoritism behind the labels of “Central America” and “Caribbean”. (Yeah, guys, Bermuda is totally in the Caribbean!)

[Liventia]

The first time this season (!!) that Leicester have failed to score. Still can't believe Benteke missed that open goal on a 5-on-1 break with Kasper Schmeichel chasing after him from behind.

[Eastfield Lodge]

The first time this season (!!) that Leicester have failed to score. Still can't believe Benteke missed that open goal on a 5-on-1 break with Kasper Schmeichel chasing after him from behind.

And I thought Newcastle messing up a 4-on-1 break last season was bad...

[Liventia]

There are ways to protest Sky Sports in football, but refusing them entry to your ground and threatening gross misconduct against any of your staff who let them in goes beyond the pale. Massimo Cellino is a scourge on English football. The Football League have told Leeds that if they refuse to let Sky broadcast today's game against Derby, they will be in breach of contract as a Football League member and face sanctions, including the possibility of sporting sanctions.

[The Blaatschapen]

There are ways to protest Sky Sports in football, but refusing them entry to your ground and threatening gross misconduct against any of your staff who let them in goes beyond the pale.

I disagree, "my house, my rules on who gets in".

Likewise, I can agree that the Football League says "our rules, we decide who plays in our competitions". So it's not without consequences. But Leeds telling its employees "do not let them enter" is fully allowed.

[Liventia]

There are ways to protest Sky Sports in football, but refusing them entry to your ground and threatening gross misconduct against any of your staff who let them in goes beyond the pale.

I disagree, "my house, my rules on who gets in".

Likewise, I can agree that the Football League says "our rules, we decide who plays in our competitions". So it's not without consequences. But Leeds telling its employees "do not let them enter" is fully allowed.

It's not gross misconduct though. It would never fly at employment tribunal. That's why it's beyond the pale.

[Osarius]

It's not gross misconduct though. It would never fly at employment tribunal. That's why it's beyond the pale.

Arguable. There's not really a fixed definition for gross misconduct afaik, but in this case, I'd say it probably fits. As shitty as that is.

If a person is banned from the premises of the business, but an employee knowingly lets them onto the premises anyway, the person is trespassing and was aided by that employee. Therefore, the action was aiding and abetting a known criminal, and it was made clear to the employee beforehand that management would not stand for it. I imagine that would be at least considered gross insubordination, which is typically considered reasonable grounds for dismissal, so it would probably be upheld. The only counter argument is that this (presumably) wasn't documented in the staff handbook or whatever guidelines were given previously, and there was no opportunity for appeal (as far as we know).

I don't necessarily agree with it, but legally speaking... I don't think it's actually wrong, unless it was determined that the ban is a breach of contract. But even that is questionable. Leeds (as a company) didn't sign the contract with Sky, did they? You can't breach a contract you didn't sign... so unless there is some kind of transfer of obligation across the Football League's contracts with Sky and with Leeds, I'm not sure.

Either way, even if his actions are batshit crazy and messed up... his argument might have some merit. I don't know what Leeds' accounts and attendance figures look like but £100k sounds kind of low as compensation for loss of match day revenue considering standard ticket pricing at Leeds is £37, and you'd expect other expenditure on merchandise, food and drink etc etc. He's going about it all wrong, IMO, but he might actually have a point.

[Liventia]

Leeds (as a company) didn't sign the contract with Sky, did they? You can't breach a contract you didn't sign... so unless there is some kind of transfer of obligation across the Football League's contracts with Sky and with Leeds, I'm not sure.

I suspect it's more a case that they'd be in breach of their membership agreement with the Football League, since presumably the FL's membership rules state that the FL's contracts must be honoured by members.

I don't know what Leeds' accounts and attendance figures look like but £100k sounds kind of low as compensation for loss of match day revenue considering standard ticket pricing at Leeds is £37, and you'd expect other expenditure on merchandise, food and drink etc etc. He's going about it all wrong, IMO, but he might actually have a point.

https://twitter.com/sportingintel/statu ... 7168116736
https://twitter.com/sportingintel/statu ... 8436180992
https://twitter.com/sportingintel/statu ... 0008398848

[Liventia]

RIP Pavel Srníček.

[Eastfield Lodge]

RIP Pavel Srníček.

PAVEL IS A GEORDIE! PAVEL IS A GEORDIE! LALA LALA LA!

[HUElavia]

As the host nation, the United States earns the Group A seed, while Argentina, as the highest FIFA-ranked nation in the Americas (per December FIFA rankings), will be seeded top of Group D.

In celebration of the rich soccer tradition in the hemisphere and as the most decorated nations in the last 100 years in international competitions from their respective confederations, the national teams of Brazil and Mexico have also been awarded group seeds, and will head Groups B and C, respectively.

They’re really reaching for an excuse to seed Mexico rather than, say, the current Copa América champion and second-highest-ranked participant according to FIFA’s divining rod. The sporting integrity of the tournament is not nearly as important as ensuring that El Tri play their group games in Phoenix, Pasadena, and Houston.

FIFA Logic:
Copa America is in the US, and Chile is the Current Champion.
No seeding for Chile, give it to Mexico instead!

[Osarius]

I suspect it's more a case that they'd be in breach of their membership agreement with the Football League, since presumably the FL's membership rules state that the FL's contracts must be honoured by members.

Possibly, though that's a questionable clause to include, because how can I trust that the FL will act in my company's best interests? I appreciate something of that nature would be necessary for the FL to ensure compliance and prevent more influential clubs from just doing whatever they like... but still. I'm curious what the FL membership agreement looks like now.

It's all pretty interesting though. He appears to have some support among fans (and seemingly at least as many ... er... "non-fans"). At times like this, I imagine even Randy Lerner's biggest critics (not sure why he even has any, tbh) would be thankful we don't have Cellino in charge, ha.

I don't know what Leeds' accounts and attendance figures look like but £100k sounds kind of low as compensation for loss of match day revenue considering standard ticket pricing at Leeds is £37, and you'd expect other expenditure on merchandise, food and drink etc etc. He's going about it all wrong, IMO, but he might actually have a point.

https://twitter.com/sportingintel/statu ... 7168116736
https://twitter.com/sportingintel/statu ... 8436180992
https://twitter.com/sportingintel/statu ... 0008398848

That is interesting, lol. Massimo mate, you picked the wrong argument here.
Reading the statement he apparently put out earlier today, there are other things he was having a moan about (again seemingly fair complaints), still not the wisest course of action though. It all comes across as him having some kind of personal qualm with the FL rather than there being a legitimate concern on behalf of the players/staff/fans.

[Liventia]

I'm curious what the FL membership agreement looks like now.

http://www.football-league.co.uk/global/section2.aspx
Article 3.1.6 would seem to be the point that Leeds would have been in breach of.

[Osarius]

I'm curious what the FL membership agreement looks like now.

http://www.football-league.co.uk/global/section2.aspx
Article 3.1.6 would seem to be the point that Leeds would have been in breach of.

Thanks.

But wow. That's literally as broad as it could be. I'd be seriously apprehensive about that. Especially if I don't have to be consulted about any agreement the league enters into before the fact (though I'm led to believe club owners get to vote on things like that?)

[Vassenor]

So basically Leeds is in hot water for putting the fans before the TV coverage?

[Modern Skaaneland]

Fuck the league! Things don't have to be organised in that way. Every club should see to their own interests.

[Liventia]

So basically Leeds is in hot water for putting the fans before the TV coverage?

Not quite. It's just their owner/chairman acting up against the league because he's angry they suspended him (which they did because of his prior court issues in Italy). He's using TV as a convenient excuse.

[The Blaatschapen]

Since it is 50 years ago this year:

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/ ... microscope

[Val Halla]

Since it is 50 years ago this year:

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/ ... microscope

I'm not sure I would take Sky Sports for anything official