Sports Category
Sports news, commentary and scores with wit and added value. We compare and contrast the best and worst sports reporting in the mainstream press, blogs, TV and online. We love the English Premier League (Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Manchester United and Manchester City) and all things football but we cover cricket, rugby, the Olympics, tennis, golf, F1 and highlights of the sporting year.
Thinking Outside The (Penalty) Box: Tackling The ‘Professional’ Foul
THINKING outside the (penalty) box: tackling the ‘professional’ foul
WITH the World Cup semi-finals upon us, it’s as good a time as any to remember Laurent Blanc, the French captain who received a red card – the only one of his entire career – in the semi-final of the 1998 World Cup, and missed the final thanks to Slaven Bilic’s theatrics.
There were no Gazza tears, just Gallic stoicism. He said he had only himself to blame for raising his hand.
Blanc shared the presentation of the cup with Didier Deschamps, and avoided any John Terry-style ridicule for doing so in his team shirt, but it must have been a bitter pill to swallow all the same.
In recent years, FIFA have addressed the problem of accumulated yellow cards, thus making career-ruining suspensions less likely for finals – although a red in a semi will still see you banned.
But what of the other side of the coin? What of the teams who are knocked out of the tournament because of cynical, calculated ‘professional’ fouls which deny them a crucial goal?
These days, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity is supposed to be punished by a straight red. Sometimes it is punished by both a red card and a penalty.
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Liverpool Balls: Reds Fans Get Great Luis Suarez News
GOOD news, Liverpool FC fans. Luis Suarez can be replaced. Who says? Why, Tita Camara, that’s who:
When Liverpool sold Titi to West Ham United in 2000, there was much weeping and wailing. But the Reds muddled on. But they pulled themselves together, won the FA Cup, the League Cup and finished third in the League table…
Transfer Balls: Suarez Replaces Sanchez In Barcelona As Liverpool Seek New Camara
TRANSFER Balls: A regular look at rumour, speculation and opinion backed by anonymous sources presented as ‘news’ in today’s mainstream media. The focus is on Luis Suarez:
Daily Mail: “Liverpool are holding out for £75million but Barcelona are hoping to make the payment in stages, with part based on performances.”
And shirt sales. As the Indy notes:
Luis Suarez is yet to complete his £63m move to Barcelona, but that hasn’t stopped one merchandiser in Spain pre-empting the Uruguayan’s arrival.
Can that £12m shortfall be made up by Suarez merchandise sales?
The Mirror looks at one shop in Spain:
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Posted: 8th, July 2014 | In: Liverpool, Sports | Comment (1)
Tour De France 2014 Photos: Stage Three – Cambridge to London
TOUR de France 2014: Stage Three – Cambridge to London…
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Transfer Balls: Arsenal Endure Feast And Famine In The Daily Mirror
TRANSFER Balls has a quick look at the kind of to-deadline exclusive churned out by the Daily Mirror:
Andy Dunn has words of doom and gloom to Arsenal fans:
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Transfer Balls: Alexis Sanchez Move To Arsenal Is An Undone ‘Done Deal’
TRANSFER Balls – Anorak’s regular look at speculation and rumour being presented as fact in the mainstream press. Today the Daily Mail leads with news that Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez is on his way to Arsenal.
Simon Jones writes:
Arsenal have agreed a £34million deal in principle with Barcelona for Chile international forward Alexis Sanchez but Barcelona are waiting to see if Juventus can match the offer.
The Metro has similar news, only it does that neat trick of altering the fee to stand out as a unique story on the search engines:
The Mirror reads the round-up of figures and opts for the more circumspect:
Mirror Sport understands a deal hasn’t been completed yet, but the Gunners are working to agree a fee with Barcelona.
So. The consensus is that Sanchez is a Gooner.
Well, not quite.
On July 2, the Express told us:
Liverpool to bank Alexis Sanchez as Barcelona jet in for Luis Suarez deal
And on June 25, the Express reported:
LIVERPOOL have already completed the signing of Chile’s Barcelona star, and Arsenal and Manchester United target, Alexis Sanchez…
So said Phil Thompson, who told one and all:
“Just yesterday I heard things from people, newspaper guys who are very close to the ground at Liverpool, saying that the Sanchez deal was actually done.”
Oh, and in case any Arsenal fans are feeling happy at the news, the Independent notes:
So. No deal done…yet…
Such are the facts…
Posted: 7th, July 2014 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Liverpool Sell Suarez For £75.5m And Still Want Sanchez In Part-Exchange
TRANSFER Balls: a look at the media rpeorting on Alexis Sanchez, the Barcelaona player wanted by Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United (among others). Today the Sunday People (prop. Trinity Mirror) notes:
Liverpool are refusing to give up the chase for Alexis Sanchez – with manager Brendan Rodgers on standby to meet the Barcelona striker. Rodgers believes he could at least persuade the 25-year-old to consider joining the Reds – if he got the chance to talk to him.
Believes. Could. Consider.
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Posted: 6th, July 2014 | In: Liverpool, Sports | Comments (3)
Transfer Balls: Arturo Vidal Joins Manchester United For £22m Less Than Juventus Are Asking
TRANSFER Balls – a regular look at football speculation and rumour presented as fact by the mainstream press. Today we wonder if Arturo Vidal on his way to the Premier League from Juventus?
Today the Daily Star has an “EXCLUSIVE” – Vidal is wanted by Manchester United.
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Posted: 6th, July 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comments (2)
Andrew Strauss And Kevin Pietersen Trade Insults At The Crease
FORMER England captain Andrew Strauss chose to share his view of former England colleage of 82 Tests Kevin Pietersen at the Lord’s bicentenary celebration match between the MCC and the Rest of The World. Commentating for Sky Sports, microphones picked up Strauss calling Pietersen a “c***” in an aside to one of his co- commentators, Nick Knight.
But only viewers watching on the Fox Sports app. heard the insult, something that should increase future downloads as cricket fans seek out more entertainment than even the contents of Ian Botham’s cereal bowl can supply.
Exposed, Strauss then disapointed cricket lovers by stating:
“I apologise unreservedly, particularly to Kevin Pietersen. I am mortified and profusely sorry.”
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Posted: 6th, July 2014 | In: Sports | Comments (2)
Transfer Balls: Liverpool Sell Luis Suarez For £63m But Barcelona Buy Him For £80m
TRANSFER Balls: Is Luis Suarez off from Liverpool? Today’s news round-up now follows:
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Manchester United Balls: Newcastle United’s Siem De Jong Damns Van Gaal With Praise
MANCHESTER Untied Balls: The Sun has an “exclusive” on Dutch footballer Siem De Jong, recently signed by Newcastle United. David Coverdale writes:
SIEM DE JONG is out for revenge on Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal next season — after being left out of his World Cup squad…
De Jong, 25, has six caps for Holland but Van Gaal snubbed him for Brazil.
Snub:
v. describes the action of ignoring, failing to notice, or pretending not to see someone.
a person is usually snubbed when they are disliked or the other person couldnt be bothered talking to them.
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Posted: 3rd, July 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
World Cup Balls: Lionel Messi Saves Angel From A Red Face
WHEN Angel Di Maria salved a kak-footed but busy performance for Argentina against Switzerland (he gave the ball away 51 times) with the game’s only goal, the Mirror saluted the man who had set him up:
Saviour Messi To The Rescue
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Talking Balls: You’ll Never Guess Who They’re Calling The ‘New’ Ronaldo
WHO is the new Cristiano Ronaldo? The Press love to look for the next big thing, the Ronaldo-alike who will be the world’s best player:
GiveMeSport 2013: Eden Hazard
Forget Scholes – Hazard can be Ferguson’s new Ronaldo
The Times, June 20 2013: Bruma
Mourinho asks Chelsea to sign new Ronaldo
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Transfer Balls: Luis Suarez Leaves Liverpool For £70m As Arsenal Get £32m-Rated Alexis Sanchez For £20m
TRANSFER Balls: A look at Luis Suarez’s likely move form Liverpool to Barcelona, as told by the mainstream media. Do they know anything? Let’s find out:
LUIS SUAREZ’S transfer to Barcelona moved a giant step closer after positive opening talks with Liverpool. Barca yesterday accepted they must pay £70million for the bite-shame Uruguayan striker — allaying Kop fans’ fears he would be sold on the cheap.
So. Barcalona must pay £70m to get their man.
The Guardian says:
Luis Suárez is close to sealing his preferred move to Barcelona after the Catalan club held a “productive” first meeting with Liverpool and offered around £70m for the controversial forward…The fee falls short of Liverpool’s initial £80m valuation, and has not been accepted…
So. The Sun says Saurez can go for £70m and The Guaridan says he can’t.
What says the Mail?
Barca have offered massive a £72m for the Uruguayan
That might be over the asking price.
The other part of the Suarez to Barcelona story is that Alexis Sanchez will make the opposite journey, leaving the Spanish club to join Liverpool. Can the papers agree on facts about that?
The Sun:
Kop boss Brendan Rodgers has inquired about taking Barca’s £32m-rated Alexis Sanchez as part of the deal. But the Chile winger, 25, wants to stay or join Juventus or Arsenal.
The Mail lowers that fee:
Liverpool maintain an interest in Alexis Sanchez and he could yet be included as a makeweight with Liverpool having already valued him at around £30m.
And then teh Express declares:
ARSENAL are looking to beat Liverpool to Alexis Sanchez with a £20m bid…
Such are the facgts.
More Transfer Balls every day…
Posted: 3rd, July 2014 | In: Liverpool, Sports | Comments (4)
Transfer Balls: Barcelona Begin Alexis Sanchez Auction As Arsenal, Liverpool And Manchester United Check His Teeth
TRANSFER Balls: Is Alexis Sanchez heading from Barcelona to… Liverpool? Let’s see what the trusty media have been saying today:
The Daily Express says Sanchez is Liverpool bound:
Liverpool to bank Alexis Sanchez as Barcelona jet in for Luis Suarez deal
It’s a banker. Bookmakers in Malasia are paying out. But wait a moment. The Daily Mail says the player is not keen on the move.
Alexis Sanchez would prefer Arsenal to Liverpool despite Barcelona wanting to use him as part of Luis Suarez deal
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Posted: 2nd, July 2014 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Luis Saurez Leaves Liverpool To Be A FIFA Ambassador In Barcelona
TRANSFER Balls presents the Daily Luis Suarez – a round-up of news on the Liverpool striker?
Barcelona are increasing their charm offensive by seducing the player with honeyed words.
The Mirror hears Barcelona’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta hail Suarez:
“Suarez has shown he is humble enough to admit an error, which is very important. He has been humble enough to apologise to those he has affected, because it happened in the middle of a festival of football. In this case it’s the best thing a person can do.”
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Wimbledon Vine: Australia’s Nick Kyrgios Just Crucified Spain’s Rafael Nadal With This Fasntasic Shot
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios just crucified Spain’s Rafael Nadal.
On his way to victory he did this:
Manchester United Balls: Luke Shaw Is Worth Six Times More Than James Rodríguez
THE story goes that Monaco and Colombia’s £38.5m star James Rodríguez could have played for Manchester United.
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Posted: 1st, July 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Liverpool Balls: You’ll Never Guess Which ‘Legend’ Is A World Cup Star
LIVERPOOL Balls: Do you get the impression that the word ‘legend’ is overused?
Transfer Balls: Arsenal Loving Sanchez Joins Liverpool Who Sell Sterling To Real Madrid And Suarez To Barcelona
TRANSFER Balls – a regular look to-dealine rumours and anonymous sources presnted as news in the mainstream media. The Independent says that Alexi Sanchez could be on his way to the Premier League:
Alexis Sanchez transfer latest: Arsenal and Liverpool to step up battle for Barcelona star
How do we know they will?
Among those linked with the player are Premier League duo Liverpool and Arsenal.
Of course, this is Transfer Balls – ome aim of which is for the media to link every top player with as many leading Premier League clubs as possible – so the Express adds:
Alexis Sanchez PREFERS Arsenal to Liverpool and Manchester United
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Posted: 30th, June 2014 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Sports | Comment
Ear We Go Again: The Tooth About Celebrity Ear-Bites From The Clash To Luis Suarez
EAR we go again: the tooth about celebrity ear-bites
Hot on the heels of the Suarez outrage comes news of another bizarre biting from Brazil.
Pictures have emerged of England fan Robert Farquharson having his ear bitten off by a ‘fellow’ England supporter in the Arena Corinthians stadium following the defeat to Uruguay.
Such attacks are not as uncommon as you might think, and there has been a series of such incidents in English towns over the past few years. The most recent, in Manchester, involving a man described as a ‘Suarez lookalike’, although the CCTV picture does not support this fanciful claim.
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Transfer Balls: Suarez Stays To Partner Sanchez As 8 More Bite Victims Come Forward
TRANSFER Balls – in association with the Daily Luis Suarez: as ever the aim for the Press is to spin to-deadline news from unnamed ‘sources’:
Last Friday June 27 the Liverpool Echo had news to gladden the heart of Liverpool FC fan
Should the Post be believed? After all on June 26, it reported:
Meanwhile, LFC’s pursuit of Alexis Sanchez is a “done deal” according to former captain Phil Thompson. Speaking to Irish radio, the Kirkby defender said the Barcelona star is already on his way to Anfield. “Just yesterday I heard things from people saying that the Sanchez deal was actually done.”
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Posted: 29th, June 2014 | In: Liverpool, Sports | Comments (2)
