Football Thread (formally Soccer Thread)

[Wandarah]

Like a new signing! 4th place is a trophy! Mental strength! The handbrake! He'll be out for two weeks!

[JuDgE MenTaL]

Fans are fucked - you actually believe all that shit huh? Man, I believe all sorts of demonstrably false shit about Arsenal and Wenger. Seriously, I'm pretty close to thinking CL qualification should come with a trophy. No, I really fucking am.

I'm glad not all fans are like you I'll say that much.

[JuDgE MenTaL]

Sheesh, Zenden as No.2, it just gets better.

[Wandarah]

Say, do you reckon the chances of Chelsea trying to ruin a man's life and career by falsely accusing him of racism, and then failing to apologise in anyway when their allegations are summarily thrown out, increase, or decrease with the appointment of The Fat Spanish Waiter?

[JuDgE MenTaL]

Neither, obviously. Meh, it’s all,  ‘he said, she said’ and nobody can prove anything. Chelsea did the only thing they could do. Let's move on. Not sure what you think they should be apologising for? I could believe Clattenburg said monkey without thinking and not mean it as a racist slur. I call my 3 yr old son a monkey all the time. Context counts for shit as we all know.

[Wandarah]

Wow.

Anyway, on a related note - this makes for great reading: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2236606/Roberto-Di-Matteo-sacked-Chelsea-Roman-Abramovich-Inside-story-Neil-Ashton.html

It is the Daily Fail though, and Ashton is a purveyor of bullshit at the best of times (how does he know who giggled and how many times, ludicrous). Fun reading though, and a decent insight into what it must be like to have to work in that situation. Mancini seems to have a bit more freedom over at Man City, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your perspective.

Going back to Sir Mentals' earlier point, that the trophies are a fine trade-off. I've no idea. I'm honestly pretty comfortable with not making that trade, though.

[JuDgE MenTaL]

It's JuDgE Mental

I was taking the piss with the last 2 sentences.

Seriously though, what club woudn't back a player claiming abuse? They supposedly did an investigation independently of the FA and on recommendation took it forward. So the answer is a decrease. I don’t even think the refs liked Rafa either, so they will be even less likely to believe a word that comes out of our club. I really can’t believe he’s our manager now. FS, do we have any credibility left?

So the FA are charging Mikel with steaming into the Refs changing room



CHELSEA STATEMENT

'Chelsea Football Club accepts the Football Association's decision regarding Mark Clattenburg and welcomes the fact that the FA recognises the club and players were correct in reporting the matter.

'The FA states Chelsea took the correct action following the Manchester United match and encourages all players who believe they have been either subject, or witness, to discriminatory abuse to report the matter immediately to the match officials on the day, and in turn to the FA.

'The club also notes the charge brought against John Mikel Obi. While the player does not deny the charge, he will request a personal hearing to explain the mitigating circumstances.

'With regards to the Mark Clattenburg decision, the club accepts the case is now concluded and notes the FA states the allegation was made in good faith.

'Chelsea FC cooperated fully with the FA and provided 11 witness statements covering all events during and after the Premier League game on October 28.

'Chelsea FC has a duty of care, as do all employers, to act responsibly when such allegations are reported by employees.

'We did not take the decision to lodge a formal complaint with the FA lightly and followed the correct processes and protocols throughout.

'The club carried out a thorough investigation, led by outside legal counsel, using all information available to us. As the FA makes clear, it is not uncommon for investigations to lead to no disciplinary charge being brought.

'All those directly involved have been subjected to scrutiny over the last weeks. Chelsea FC now hopes that all concerned can continue to carry out their duties without prejudice.

'We are committed to working alongside all referees and their assistants to ensure games are conducted in the right spirit and that all our players and staff accept and observe the match officials' authority and decisions.'

Sounds fair enough to me. Like I said, lets move on.

[JuDgE MenTaL]

£86m: Chelsea have spent approximately £86million since 2004 in compensation for managers — more than Everton’s entire net spend since the Premier League began.

LOL, ridiculous.

It is incredible isn’t it.
 
In 18 months, we’ve dispensed of 3 managers and not one of them could get Torres firing. I struggle with the notion that Roman doesn't accept Torres is no longer world class.

[Wandarah]

He was the same with Shevchenko

[JuDgE MenTaL]

True, but Shevva is statistically better, Ukrainian and we'd binned him off by now. Reading the usual transfer guff that Rafa has been given 128 mill to buy Cavani, Falcao and Rodriguez. So...if true, loads of faith in restoring Torres confidence then. Also, based on win % Rafa is only slightly better than AVB.

Loads to look forward to

[JuDgE MenTaL]

^ accidental double

[Wandarah]

Yeah - I actually always thought Shevchenko got a bum deal.

Arsenal need a striker - perhaps you guys can loan us one?

[JuDgE MenTaL]

I imagine Studge won't be up to much come January.

[Wandarah]

Ugh

[JuDgE MenTaL]

Haha, Wenger loves him.

[JuDgE MenTaL]

On another note, Joey Barton....it'll be no surprise he's really winning over the French public...they too will undoubtedly love him as we don't.

[john23]

Interesting video. Barton is criminal

[R3DM@N]

Rafa - OUT!

[SteddieEddie]

Na the Russian

[LeadCollector]

It's OK Chelsea fans....You don't share your pain alone! I fucken lol'd at Arsenals game and the calls for Arsene to leave

[Wandarah]

It's all a bit shit at the moment, but it was pretty obvious this was going to be the case. I called it, most did. Arsenal were fucking dire on the weekend, it was obvious they were going to lose within the first 5 minutes. Gervinho up top? Do me a fucking favour, he just seems to get worse and worse, and is clearly thick as fuck. Giroud is no RvP but at least he's smart with his play - it's a shame he's our *only* fucking striker. Chamakh doesn't even make the bench? What the fuck. Arshavin is still a great footballer, and I have no fucking clue why he isn't being used. Carzola is fucking stuffed, Santos is a joke, the two backup fullbacks are 12 years old, our captain is our worst first choice centreback. Theo fucking Walcott wants to be our highest paid player, and frankly, we need to keep the little shit.

What a fucking mess.

[Spork]

What a fucking mess.

Even more fucking mess this morning. We easily could have won the game against Olympiakos, but did we? Nope.

Still better than City, but at least now they have a much greater chance of going on to win the title.

[R3DM@N]

Goodbye Champions League. Was a good time

[Wandarah]

At least the apologies and fining of your players for threatening referees (not that there was anything to apologise for, investigate, or fine players about remember!) is a worthy replacement for drama.

[Spork]

Oh hey look at that, Arsenal decided to win a game.