Day -106 WorldCup2018
This may be a bit random.
With thanks to Richard Kory for mentioning it, Sepp Blatter has announced that he thinks that Morocco is the logical choice to host the 2026 World Cup. He reminded those that may still think he is worthy of an opinion in world football that after Japan and South Korea co-hosted the 2002 edition Fifa decided against there ever being co-hosts again. If that is still true than that would eliminate the Canada/USA/Mexico bid. But that was Fifa under Blatter, when Fifa pretty much was Blatter. And if co-hosting is not welcomed by Fifa why would Fifa let the North American bid go this far? They could just save everybody a lot of money.
Whatever one may think of Blatter and his argument, there are numerous reports that Morocco is leading the race ahead of the vote on June 14th of this year. A surprise?
This is a few days old but I forgot to include it on the day. I only wanted to mention in it so I could share a laugh about it. I was following text updates of Tottenham's match against Crystal Palace on Sunday. At one point the reporter noted that Spurs' right back Serge Aurier was penalized for a foul throw. Strange, I thought. When does that ever happen? Maybe the ball slipped out of his hands, I thought. Then it happened again, and again. Three foul throws. What is wrong with the man that he doesn't know how to take a throw in?
Pep (first name only needed) has been charged by the English FA for wearing a yellow ribbon in support of the Catalan political prisoners. The FA prohibits any form of political messages on the pitch. Today, Kyle Walker-Peters scored his first goal for Spurs in their 6-1 FA Cup win against Rochdale. After the match he tweeted how happy he was and "God is Great", accompanied by a picture of him after scoring the goal looking up, and arms raised to the sky. And I'm sure he wasn't thinking how great the snow was. The FA also does not allow visible religious slogans. Discipline for KWP? Doubt it.
Before anybody rushes to criticize me I know that Pep was only charged when he wore the ribbon on the pitch, not a press conference or any other off-pitch event. I'm not arguing for equal punishment based on KWP's tweet but on his obvious "statement" after the goal.
Two more things: I admire Pep for saying he will not stop wearing the ribbon because he is "a human being before a manager"; and despite what I say I do not believe that KWP should be admonished in any way. I'm just arguing the different interpretations of the rules. Players make the sign of the cross all the time. Is that not a slogan?
Pep should be allowed, and encouraged to take a stand. And even though we may argue KWP's statement about God being great, it is probably what makes him a stronger person and has helped him achieve what he has.
Pep should really confuse the FA and sign KWP for Manchester City so that he has Kyle Walker as his first choice right back and Kyle Walker-Peters as his back-up.
A quick final note about yesterday's Toronto FC match. In the second half, TFC's new Spanish signing, Ager Aketxe, 24, came on for his debut. He came here from Cadiz, having started his career with Athletic Bilbao. It wasn't for long but my first impression was that Victor Vazquez may not be the only very influential Spaniard playing for TFC this year.
This may be a bit random.
With thanks to Richard Kory for mentioning it, Sepp Blatter has announced that he thinks that Morocco is the logical choice to host the 2026 World Cup. He reminded those that may still think he is worthy of an opinion in world football that after Japan and South Korea co-hosted the 2002 edition Fifa decided against there ever being co-hosts again. If that is still true than that would eliminate the Canada/USA/Mexico bid. But that was Fifa under Blatter, when Fifa pretty much was Blatter. And if co-hosting is not welcomed by Fifa why would Fifa let the North American bid go this far? They could just save everybody a lot of money.
Whatever one may think of Blatter and his argument, there are numerous reports that Morocco is leading the race ahead of the vote on June 14th of this year. A surprise?
This is a few days old but I forgot to include it on the day. I only wanted to mention in it so I could share a laugh about it. I was following text updates of Tottenham's match against Crystal Palace on Sunday. At one point the reporter noted that Spurs' right back Serge Aurier was penalized for a foul throw. Strange, I thought. When does that ever happen? Maybe the ball slipped out of his hands, I thought. Then it happened again, and again. Three foul throws. What is wrong with the man that he doesn't know how to take a throw in?
Pep (first name only needed) has been charged by the English FA for wearing a yellow ribbon in support of the Catalan political prisoners. The FA prohibits any form of political messages on the pitch. Today, Kyle Walker-Peters scored his first goal for Spurs in their 6-1 FA Cup win against Rochdale. After the match he tweeted how happy he was and "God is Great", accompanied by a picture of him after scoring the goal looking up, and arms raised to the sky. And I'm sure he wasn't thinking how great the snow was. The FA also does not allow visible religious slogans. Discipline for KWP? Doubt it.
Before anybody rushes to criticize me I know that Pep was only charged when he wore the ribbon on the pitch, not a press conference or any other off-pitch event. I'm not arguing for equal punishment based on KWP's tweet but on his obvious "statement" after the goal.
Two more things: I admire Pep for saying he will not stop wearing the ribbon because he is "a human being before a manager"; and despite what I say I do not believe that KWP should be admonished in any way. I'm just arguing the different interpretations of the rules. Players make the sign of the cross all the time. Is that not a slogan?
Pep should be allowed, and encouraged to take a stand. And even though we may argue KWP's statement about God being great, it is probably what makes him a stronger person and has helped him achieve what he has.
Pep should really confuse the FA and sign KWP for Manchester City so that he has Kyle Walker as his first choice right back and Kyle Walker-Peters as his back-up.
A quick final note about yesterday's Toronto FC match. In the second half, TFC's new Spanish signing, Ager Aketxe, 24, came on for his debut. He came here from Cadiz, having started his career with Athletic Bilbao. It wasn't for long but my first impression was that Victor Vazquez may not be the only very influential Spaniard playing for TFC this year.
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