2006-07 Soccer Thread

[SirFozzie]

Wow, Juventus apparently KNOWS they are toast and want to try to plea-bargain their way to a lesser punishment, wonder what's going to happen to the other three teams in the match-fixing scandals.

LAZIO CHIEF PLEADS INNOCENCE

It was the turn of Lazio president Claudio Lotito to plead his innocence in the Italian match-fixing trial on Thursday.

Former Juventus chief executive Antonio Giraudo and Fiorentina owner Diego della Valle argued their case yesterday, but Lotito's representatives went for a different tack.

On Wednesday, Juventus appealed for a reduction to their punishment - an enforced relegation to at least the third division and a points deduction next season.

Juve's defence lawyer Cesare Zaccone said "an acceptable punishment would be (relegation to) Serie B with a points deduction", but this has been interpreted as an acceptance of guilt, and Lazio will not be following suit.

"We are calling for complete acquittal, both for the club and for the president," explained Lotito's advocate Gian Michele Gentile before chief prosecutor Cesare Ruperto.

"There is no wrongdoing, Lotito didn't even have (former FIGC president Franco) Carraro's telephone number.

"We will not be doing what Juve are doing because we have nothing to admit since we are absolutely innocent," he added.

The same line is being taken by AC Milan and Fiorentina - the other two teams in the dock - who are unwilling to accept the punishment in any form.

"We are shocked by the recommendations of the federal prosecutor of sanctions which do not correspond to the facts," said Milan's advocate, Leonardo Cantamessa.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina's defence lawyer Giuseppe Morbidelli asked for his clients to be "released" in a defence file handed to the prosecutors.

Pierluigi Pairetto, the man who designated which referees officiated at which Serie A games and is alleged to have been influenced in his decision-making by former Juve general manager Luciano Moggi, also laid down his defence on Thursday.

"Only Houdini would be able to fiddle the choice of referee," joked his advocate Giorgio Merlone.

Pairetto faces a five-year ban and a fine of 5,000 euros (£3,500) if proved guilty of fixing the choice of referees.

The trial, which is due to conclude this weekend, will see a total of 26 individuals and four clubs in the dock.



The prosecutor's recommendation and what it would mean:

Juventus to be sent down to at least Serie C/1 (2 levels down) and assessed a six point penalty next year: Result: Probably back up to Serie A in two years if they can sell off some of their players to provide an operating cushion in the mean time.

AC Millan sent down one level to Serie B and penalized three points. Result: Right back up to Serie A in one year, most likely.

Lazio and Fiorentina: Both sent down one level to Serie B and penalized FIFTEEN POINTS each (5 wins). Result: Yeah, they're getting screwed here. Year one, there's probably no way they can get back straight up starting FIVE WINS behind everyone else, especially with AC Milan around. Then in year two, Juventus would likely be up with them, taking one of the three promotion spots.

[bulletsponge]

am i the only one who gets a feeling they will get a slap on the wrist?

[SirFozzie]

yup. Juventus has pretty much said they expect to go down at least one division.

I mean, this is not your garden variety stuff we're talking about here

[Galaxy]

Will this destroy the reps and ability of the big Italian clubs to compete in the future with the big powers in the rest of Europe?

[Mac Howard]

Will this destroy the reps and ability of the big Italian clubs to compete in the future with the big powers in the rest of Europe?

I doubt it. The reputation of Italian football isn't high already and the support these clubs have, particularly Juve and Milan, will see them return to prominence very quickly. From that point on it's a case of "money doesn't talk it swears" and they, along with Italian football in general, will have little trouble building back to their 05/06 position. In a couple of year's time all will be forgiven if not forgotten.

[Crapshoot]

I doubt it. The reputation of Italian football isn't high already and the support these clubs have, particularly Juve and Milan, will see them return to prominence very quickly. From that point on it's a case of "money doesn't talk it swears" and they, along with Italian football in general, will have little trouble building back to their 05/06 position. In a couple of year's time all will be forgiven if not forgotten.

"".

Aye - Firorentina died 7-8 years ago - now, no one knows or cares (although that was for different reasons). Juve will serve their 2 year penalty, sign some decent players, and come back up. It will take time, because they have talent of a lifetime (players like Buffon, Nedved, and co aren't really replaceable), but still.

[ice4277]

am i the only one who gets a feeling they will get a slap on the wrist?

I am waiting for this to happen as well. Some sort of magical evidence, or last minute overturning of the decision on a technicality.

[Critch]

There was a report in the Italian press yesterday that Juventus are going to Serie C, will start the season with a 15 point penalty, and will be banned from signing players for the next 3 years.

The other three will be in Serie B with a 3 or 5 point penalty.

If Inter don't win Serie A next season, they should just give up.

[Butter]

Wow, sending them down 2 divisions... what exactly are the charges again?

[Critch]

They all had little arrangement with the referees federation where they could pick and choose who refereed their games and who refereed their rivals games. So Juve could give themselves a referee they liked while ensuring a future opponent got some card happy lunatic so they would play Juventus with a few players suspended.

I'm not sure if there's actually any claim that the referees were being dishonest, or if it was just playing the percentages.

[Critch]

dola on a different subject.

Looks like we're losing the German Bundesliga from FSC and Setanta this season, the new rights-owners have jacked up the prices too high. Only ProsiebenWelt (the German language channel) will have it.

FSC seems to be losing quite a lot, they're losing both the French and German leagues, no word on what if anything will replace them.

Setanta finally looks worth buying, they're adding EPL, Dutch league and maybe Portuguese. Also rumored to be showing more live Scottish League.

I'll miss the Bundesliga, but it's good to see Setanta adding new stuff.

edit - Just noticed SirFozzie posted a more indepth version of what goes where on the bigsoccer boards. Sorry for stealing your thunder over here :)

[ice4277]

dola on a different subject.

Looks like we're losing the German Bundesliga from FSC and Setanta this season, the new rights-owners have jacked up the prices too high. Only ProsiebenWelt (the German language channel) will have it.

FSC seems to be losing quite a lot, they're losing both the French and German leagues, no word on what if anything will replace them.

Setanta finally looks worth buying, they're adding EPL, Dutch league and maybe Portuguese. Also rumored to be showing more live Scottish League.

I'll miss the Bundesliga, but it's good to see Setanta adding new stuff.

edit - Just noticed SirFozzie posted a more indepth version of what goes where on the bigsoccer boards. Sorry for stealing your thunder over here :)

Is Setanta going to be carrying live EPL? That may be, along with more Scottish Premier, what gets me to purchase the broadband package.

That's too bad about FSC losing the Bundesliga, but I rarely watched it, so no biggie. My main concerns are England, Spain, and the European cups. Not enough time in the day to watch much more than that.

[Butter]

Is FSC seriously just trying to have EPL and that's it? I mean, they already dropped MLS coverage... and frankly, their programming is thin as it is. GolTV has WAY more actual soccer than FSC does. I care about the EPL, but give me something else to go along with it aside from the occasional USL game and 20 year old FA Cup Final replays. Sheesh.

[Critch]

Is Setanta going to be carrying live EPL? That may be, along with more Scottish Premier, what gets me to purchase the broadband package.

The rumor is that the ppv coverage is going away (right after I'd carefully negotiated a deal with wifey where I could pay $400 for the annual pass) and Setanta will have those games.

[ISiddiqui]

FSC probably makes all its money on the EPL, so they probably aren't too concerned.

[cthomer5000]

In the US, what is my best option for watching English Premier League action?

[ISiddiqui]

The rumor is that the ppv coverage is going away (right after I'd carefully negotiated a deal with wifey where I could pay $400 for the annual pass) and Setanta will have those games.

Actually, IIRC, the rumor is that the formerly PPV games will be ON FSC, but FSC will sell the crappier games (in terms of star matchups) to Setanta.

[ISiddiqui]

In the US, what is my best option for watching English Premier League action?

Fox Soccer Channel.

[cthomer5000]

Fox Soccer Channel.

Follow-up question. Do you know if this is available as part of a package on most cable networks? I've got comcast, and i'm fairly certain I don't have it now.

[ISiddiqui]

Follow-up question. Do you know if this is available as part of a package on most cable networks? I've got comcast, and i'm fairly certain I don't have it now.

It's on my Comcast digital sports tier ($5/month extra.. and you have to have digital cable, of course).

[cthomer5000]

It's on my Comcast digital sports tier ($5/month extra.. and you have to have digital cable, of course).

Thanks, i'll look into it when I get home...

[Critch]

Actually, IIRC, the rumor is that the formerly PPV games will be ON FSC, but FSC will sell the crappier games (in terms of star matchups) to Setanta.

That would make sense, get Setanta into it before they bid for the US EPL rights later this year. Setanta have just bought up a chunk of the EPL coverage in the UK, so I guess they'll be making the US EPL rights bid too.

Looks like next season FSC will have 4 live EPL games and 1 SDD every weekend (if you include the Monday afternoon game as the weekend :) )

[RPI-Fan]

dola on a different subject.

Looks like we're losing the German Bundesliga from FSC and Setanta this season, the new rights-owners have jacked up the prices too high. Only ProsiebenWelt (the German language channel) will have it.

FSC seems to be losing quite a lot, they're losing both the French and German leagues, no word on what if anything will replace them.

Setanta finally looks worth buying, they're adding EPL, Dutch league and maybe Portuguese. Also rumored to be showing more live Scottish League.

I'll miss the Bundesliga, but it's good to see Setanta adding new stuff.

edit - Just noticed SirFozzie posted a more indepth version of what goes where on the bigsoccer boards. Sorry for stealing your thunder over here :)

Link to said post please?

[Critch]

Link to said post please?

hxxp://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=379533

[SirFozzie]

Actually, IIRC, the rumor is that the formerly PPV games will be ON FSC, but FSC will sell the crappier games (in terms of star matchups) to Setanta.


Sentanta will be showing the Saturday 7:30 am game, plus a 10:00 contest. On Sunday they will be showing the 8:30 am game.
FSC will also show a Saturday 10:00 contest, the 12:00 game, and a tape-delay at 3:00 of another 10:00 am contest. On Sunday, they will show the 11:00 am game.

FSC won't be selling games on to Setanta

[ISiddiqui]

Here is a great read on ESPN.com about the NY Cosmos and Pele's effect on soccer in the US during the 70s:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=cosmos&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

Great stuff!

[KevinNU7]

I've never heard of Setanta. How long have they been around?

[SirFozzie]

they are in their 2nd full year of games, right now they're only on DirecTV and cost $12 a month. They're hoping to announce an agreement with DISH network for the same thing (and this EPL thing might just do that).

They carry Soccer (too many different leagues to mention, but now they have both EPL and English League Soccer as well), Gaelic Sports (Hurling and Gaelic Football), Aussie Rules Football, and Rugby.

[ISiddiqui]

So, are any Americans going to see the documentary on the Cosmos? From the article I linked above, it sounds like it may be incredibly interesting.

[SirFozzie]

I'm planning on it if it's nearby. Otherwise, I'll wait for it to show on ESPN

[cthomer5000]

So, are any Americans going to see the documentary on the Cosmos? From the article I linked above, it sounds like it may be incredibly interesting.

I'm sure this is in pretty limited release. It ran at a couple of film festivals here in NYC, and i'm sure it'll be in theaters in the city as well, but outside of that it'll probably be pretty tough to find.

[Coffee Warlord]

Hoo boy. Please, say it ain't so. Rumors of Newcastle trying to get Beckham.

Newcastle needs a lot of things, but a poor midfielder whose only saving grace is stellar set pieces they do not need.

[ISiddiqui]

Hoo boy. Please, say it ain't so. Rumors of Newcastle trying to get Beckham.

Newcastle needs a lot of things, but a poor midfielder whose only saving grace is stellar set pieces they do not need.

Oh God... I HOPE its a rumor. Look, I like Beckham, but we don't need to waste money on him. Now I realize there are fears that Solano may be spending some time in a Peruvian jail cell, but that's what Dyer is for (on second thought.. ;))

We need the money for a striker, above all, and a central defender. That money is much better spent on Kuyt and a central defender to replace Boumsong.

Though the big rumor is that we'll get Darren Bent soon, as he has stated that he wants to come to Newcastle.

[GoldenEagle]

Comcast is awesome. You can get FSC and GoalTV for $5 a month. Also they have the MLS DirectKick package but I am not sure of the price.

[cthomer5000]

Comcast is awesome. You can get FSC and GoalTV for $5 a month. Also they have the MLS DirectKick package but I am not sure of the price.

I'm pretty sure that's priced at like 70 bucks.

[SirFozzie]

There is cojones.. there is chutzpah.. and then there is THIS:

Former top executives of Italian soccer club Juventus deserve praise for helping Italy reach the World Cup final rather than being put on trial for alleged match-fixing, a lawyer for one of the men said on Friday.

Paolo Trofino, representing former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi at a tribunal hearing the case, painted a grim picture of Italian football where "illegal behaviour is so diffuse that it is considered legal."

He stressed instead the role that Moggi and former Juventus Chief Executive Antonio Giraudo played in turning the Turin club into the backbone of the current Italian national side.

"On Sunday night, when Italy play France in the World Cup final, you will see on your television screens that more than a third of the players on the pitch were employed by Moggi and Giraudo," the lawyer said.

"You will see (Italian national coach Marcello) Lippi, who coached Juventus."

rofino said the tribunal should be suspended, arguing that the intercepted telephone calls on which the case rests represented only a fraction of calls made by Moggi.

The scandal broke in May with the publication of intercepted telephone conversations between Moggi and Italian soccer officials, discussing refereeing appointments.

As well as Juventus, top Italian soccer clubs AC Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio have been accused of sporting fraud by a sports prosecutor. The clubs deny the charge.

Juventus risk relegation to Italy's third division and the others could go down to the second division. The prosecutor also wants all four teams to be docked points next season.

[Katon]

Now I realize there are fears that Solano may be spending some time in a Peruvian jail cell, but that's what Dyer is for (on second thought.. ;))


Is Dyer for replacing Solano, or for spending time in Peruvian jail cells?

[ISiddiqui]

Is Dyer for replacing Solano, or for spending time in Peruvian jail cells?

I assume either will do ;).

Though I forget that the Magpies get Milner back and if need be, he can go there.

[Butter]

So, sounds like ManU wants to keep C. Ronaldo.... this doesn't seem like it's going to end well, does it?

[Critch]

So, sounds like ManU wants to keep C. Ronaldo.... this doesn't seem like it's going to end well, does it?

He'd better get a body guard or two. And that's just for training with Rooney :)

[Oilers9911]

If the Italians lessen the punishment of Juve et al because Italy won the World Cup then that is disgraceful. They must be made an example of some others think twicw before they fix matches. It won't be as easy as people think for them to rebound to Serie A. What type of players will they attract to play in Serie C? Also if they are truly unable to sign players for a set term that will make it tougher yet not to mention the point deduction. I guess they could field a good enough team from their reserves or youth club but a 15 point penalty is big.

[SirFozzie]

One Italian newspaper says Juve down to B with 15 point penalty (rough, but they could make it back up immediately) and the other teams with 3-9 point penalties but no relegation

[GoldenEagle]

So, sounds like ManU wants to keep C. Ronaldo.... this doesn't seem like it's going to end well, does it?

Ferguson really needs to unload him. If youcan get $25mil for him, cut your losses and move on. He is a great young player but he can be replaced and I have a feeling if he sticks around then it is going to have a negative effect on team morale.

[Desnudo]

One Italian newspaper says Juve down to B with 15 point penalty (rough, but they could make it back up immediately) and the other teams with 3-9 point penalties but no relegation

I hope Juve gets sent to Serie C so I can manage them in FM07. It would be a perfect empty cupboard.

[Oilers9911]

One Italian newspaper says Juve down to B with 15 point penalty (rough, but they could make it back up immediately) and the other teams with 3-9 point penalties but no relegation

That is ridiculously little punishment for any of those teams.

[Desnudo]

There is cojones.. there is chutzpah.. and then there is THIS:

rofino said the tribunal should be suspended, arguing that the intercepted telephone calls on which the case rests represented only a fraction of calls made by Moggi.

This section is completely nonsensical. Unless something was lost in translation. What is that joke?

Hell is a place where: the cooks are English, the mechanics are French, the police are German, and the government is run by the Italians

I too think everyone will get a slap on the wrist. I would be suprised if anyone but Juve gets relegated and I think Juve will only go to Serie B. If you look at all the political pressure being exerted, there's no way the full punishment gets implemented. Especially after the WC win and the tribunal delaying its decision.

[Desnudo]

Is FSC seriously just trying to have EPL and that's it? I mean, they already dropped MLS coverage... and frankly, their programming is thin as it is. GolTV has WAY more actual soccer than FSC does. I care about the EPL, but give me something else to go along with it aside from the occasional USL game and 20 year old FA Cup Final replays. Sheesh.

They also have the Serie A and AC Milan TV.

[SirFozzie]

This section is completely nonsensical. Unless something was lost in translation. What is that joke?

Hell is a place where: the cooks are English, the mechanics are French, the police are German, and the government is run by the Italians

I too think everyone will get a slap on the wrist. I would be suprised if anyone but Juve gets relegated and I think Juve will only go to Serie B. If you look at all the political pressure being exerted, there's no way the full punishment gets implemented. Especially after the WC win and the tribunal delaying its decision.

I think he's trying to mitigate, that not all calls made by Moggi were to illegally influence folks. (of coursem that makes no sense)

[Bea-Arthurs Hip]

Headed off tonight to go see some US Open Cup Soccer!!

Called up the wife about a 1/2 hour ago and told her to have the kids
fed and ready to leave when I got home. I told her I was going to give
her a break and take the kids out. All my kids are under the age of 10 and have been heavily influenced by my FM addiction so of course they are real excited to go watch some "Football boys".

Michigan Bucks (USL PDL) vs. Columbus Crew (MLS) 7:30 PM up in Rochester Michigan.

They met earlier in the year and Columbus had their way with them 4-0.

This is purely 100% a side effect of FM. Two years ago I would have never even imagined me going to a Soccer match.

Go Bucks!

[Ryan S]

He is a great young player but he can be replaced and I have a feeling if he sticks around then it is going to have a negative effect on team morale.

Shipping him out may also have a negative effect on team morale, especially if players feel like the club has not supported Ronaldo.

[vex]

Michigan Bucks? Did an OSU and UM fan form that team?

[ice4277]

Headed off tonight to go see some US Open Cup Soccer!!

Called up the wife about a 1/2 hour ago and told her to have the kids
fed and ready to leave when I got home. I told her I was going to give
her a break and take the kids out. All my kids are under the age of 10 and have been heavily influenced by my FM addiction so of course they are real excited to go watch some "Football boys".

Michigan Bucks (USL PDL) vs. Columbus Crew (MLS) 7:30 PM up in Rochester Michigan.

They met earlier in the year and Columbus had their way with them 4-0.

This is purely 100% a side effect of FM. Two years ago I would have never even imagined me going to a Soccer match.

Go Bucks!

Damn! I didn't realize the Bucks were playing an MLS team. I went a couple years ago when they played the MetroStars at Berkley High School's football field. I thought it was pretty cool that I could walk from my house to go see an MLS team play :) Have a good time!

[PilotMan]

Headed off tonight to go see some US Open Cup Soccer!!

Called up the wife about a 1/2 hour ago and told her to have the kids
fed and ready to leave when I got home. I told her I was going to give
her a break and take the kids out. All my kids are under the age of 10 and have been heavily influenced by my FM addiction so of course they are real excited to go watch some "Football boys".

Michigan Bucks (USL PDL) vs. Columbus Crew (MLS) 7:30 PM up in Rochester Michigan.

They met earlier in the year and Columbus had their way with them 4-0.

This is purely 100% a side effect of FM. Two years ago I would have never even imagined me going to a Soccer match.

Go Bucks!

The Bucks knocked out my Kings last week, but it wasn't totally an upset. I had heard that the Bucks have been playing together for a longer time and have more experienced players than the young Kings. We were really looking forward to a match against the Crew this week, but alas it wasn't to be.

[TazFTW]

DC United beat Celtic 4-0? Was it their 'B' team?

[Critch]

DC United beat Celtic 4-0? Was it their 'B' team?

No, it wasn't.

:D

[bulletsponge]

but it was preseason right? for celtics sake i hope so

[Critch]

but it was preseason right? for celtics sake i hope so

Yeah, preseason. Celtic have lost all three pre-season games so far (2 in Poland then this one) with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge still to come.

[Butter]

No, it was a league match.

[PilotMan]

Speaking of the US Open Cup, they are calling the Chivas US loss to amature, Dallas Roma FC in penalties as the biggest upset in Cup history. Chivas was a man down after Razov was sent off and they gradually subbed in more starters. They fell 4-2 in penalties.

Now crazy things happen in the Cup, but if you are Chivas, you have to be feeling really embarresed.

[Butter]

Chivas has pretty much been an embarrassment since they were added to the league, so this is not really surprising.

[PilotMan]

I agree, but I think that it speaks more to the underestimation of the Chivas management as to the quality of play in the MLS.

[Critch]

Sky News say reports from Italy say Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio will all be relegated to Serie B, they'll all lose their European place for this year, and Juventus will start with a 20 point penalty.

The final announcement is due sometime today.

[SirFozzie]

Since at least a couple teams are publically traded, they won't announce it till after the close of italian markets, but it shouldn't be too much longer

[ISiddiqui]

Shame that Juve escapes to Serie B instead of being told to go to Serie C, as should have happened.

[BreizhManu]

Shame that Juve escapes to Serie B instead of being told to go to Serie C, as should have happened.

Bah if there is a 20 point penalty, there going to stay 2 years in Serie B, so the result is the same.

[AlexB]

Bah if there is a 20 point penalty, there going to stay 2 years in Serie B, so the result is the same.

20 points is nothing with the right referees ;)

[Critch]

The Sky news stuff is still just rumors from Italian newspapers, so it's not certain that they'll avoid Serie C, I guess.

They've changed the rumor now as well, the latest one is Milan escaping with no relegation but a 20 point penalty for next year.

[Critch]

Dola...

If Juve do go down, where do Buffon, Ibrahimovich, Vieira and the rest end up?

[Crapshoot]

A rumor has Viera and Buffon to Arsenal, which would be amazing for them - and that Juventus will try and loan out Trezugeut and Ibrahimovic in order to retain them when they come back up.

[Critch]

I'm going Vieira to Man Utd, they've been linked with Gattuso with nothing happening so I'm betting they are holding off for somebody else. And that somebody must be Vieira.

Buffon stays in Italy, his wife is a celeb there so uprooting would be difficult. Not sure who.

Ibrahmovich to Bayern Munich. They're in the market for a striker, been linked strangely with van Nisterooy. It looks like van Nistelrooy will end up in Spain, so they'll go for Ibrahimovich instead. The knockon will be Pizarro moving on, but since HSV seem to have dropped out now they've nearly tied up Baros, I don't know where he'll go.

Nedved and Cannavaro, not idea.

I love this part of the season, pre-season friendlies kicking off (Man Utd v Orlando Pirates on Setanta tomorrow morning) and the transfers hotting up.

[ISiddiqui]

Bah if there is a 20 point penalty, there going to stay 2 years in Serie B, so the result is the same.

Even with 20 points penalty, they may still move on from Serie B, provided they don't lose too much talent.

[BreizhManu]

Even with 20 points penalty, they may still move on from Serie B, provided they don't lose too much talent.

Yes but if the other go down too with less penalty points ?

[FrogMan]

20 points is nothing with the right referees ;)

LOL! :D

FM

[daedalus]

I'm going Vieira to Man Utd, they've been linked with Gattuso with nothing happening so I'm betting they are holding off for somebody else. And that somebody must be Vieira.

Buffon stays in Italy, his wife is a celeb there so uprooting would be difficult. Not sure who.

Ibrahmovich to Bayern Munich. They're in the market for a striker, been linked strangely with van Nisterooy. It looks like van Nistelrooy will end up in Spain, so they'll go for Ibrahimovich instead. The knockon will be Pizarro moving on, but since HSV seem to have dropped out now they've nearly tied up Baros, I don't know where he'll go.

Nedved and Cannavaro, not idea.

I love this part of the season, pre-season friendlies kicking off (Man Utd v Orlando Pirates on Setanta tomorrow morning) and the transfers hotting up.I can't see Paddy going to another English team, especially Manchester United.

I also can't see Buffon or any of the Italy national team players leaving the country. If I recall correctly, Cannavaro said before the World Cup that he would have no problem staying with them even if they get relegated. At MOST, I'm guessing they loan out to another Italian team for the next year (or two) until they come back to Serie A.

Nedved would be an interesting one to follow but is there really any major team looking to strengthen there? There's ALWAYS room for yet another world class player at Stamford Bridge, of course . . . Hi, Shaun! And, obviously, there's no such thing as having enough attackers at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Anyone else, though?

[Critch]

If I recall correctly, Cannavaro said before the World Cup that he would have no problem staying with them even if they get relegated.

Yeah, Gattuso has said he wants to stay at AC Milan too. I'd guess if it's only Serie B most will be ok with staying assuming they'll come straight back up, especially the younger players. I'd guess the older ones (Vieira, Nedved, etc) will be the ones looking to stay in the top division somewhere.

[Crapshoot]

I also can't see Buffon or any of the Italy national team players leaving the country. If I recall correctly, Cannavaro said before the World Cup that he would have no problem staying with them even if they get relegated.

Psst.. Cannavaro signed with Madrid yesterday.

[tanglewood]

Word 'on the street' is the following deals hae already been arranged:

Nedved and Del Piero to stay
Ibrahimovic to Inter
Vieira and Trezuguet to Lyon
Cannavaro, Zambrotta and Emerson to Real Madrid on a lease basis (i.e. the officially become Real players, but Juve have the option to buy back when the get back to Serie A if the players are still interested)
Buffon an Thuram to ???

[daedalus]

Psst.. Cannavaro signed with Madrid yesterday.Wow, interesting. Following their coach?

[Critch]

Psst.. Cannavaro signed with Madrid yesterday.

Didn't know that, but then again I didn't know that Liverpool had signed Bellamy til the day before yesterday.

I was actually going to predict Cannavaro to Real Madrid in my earlier post.

[Fighter of Foo]

Psst.. Cannavaro signed with Madrid yesterday.

I haven't read a confirmation anywhere.

[Critch]

Juventus relegated + 30 point penalty. Ouch.

Fiorentina + Lazio relegated too.

Milan stay in Serie A but have 15 point penalty.

edit - Juventus stripped of their last two titles.

[Desnudo]

Bruce Arena will not return as coach. \0/

All thanks for him taking the program from laughingstock to being able to stomp banana republics, but hopefully they will sign someone capable of harnessing the burgeoning talent base and taking it to a level where we are globally competitive.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=373876&cc=5901

U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati announced Friday that U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bruce Arena, the longest-tenured national team coach at the World Cup, will not return to the U.S. team after his contract expires at the end of the year.

Arena met with Gulati and U.S. Soccer Secretary General Dan Flynn for five hours at LaGuardia Airport on Thursday and a decision was finalized Friday morning.

Gulati said a worldwide search to find a replacement will begin immediately. Speculation will center on Jürgen Klinsmann, who coached the German national team to a third-place finish in this month's World Cup. Klinsmann, who lives in California with his family, stepped down from the German post earlier this week, saying he felt, "burnt out."

Arena, hired in October of 1998, will leave the national team the winningest coach in men's national team history. He coached the 2002 U.S. Men's National Team to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, the best World Cup showing in U.S. Soccer history. But Arena's squad disappointed at this year's World Cup, failing to advance out of group play after losing to the Czech Republic and Ghana and tying eventual World Cup champion Italy.

"It comes down primarily to eight years being a long period," Gulati said. "I'm not going to say we felt the need to change directions. The direction Bruce has set is very, very positive. We didn't get the results we wanted in the World Cup, but Bruce didn't become a bad coach in three games with a few bad bounces of the ball."

"It's tough to see a good coach leave, especially wth what he's done for the sport of soccer in this country," Clint Dempsey, the only U.S. player to score during the 2006 World Cup, told ESPN.com. "The way I see it, if it's not broke, don't fix it. But I guess the Federation was disappointed in our performance in the last World Cup and decided to go in another direction."

Dempsey felt it was unfair for critics to soley blame Arena for the Americans' World Cup disappointment, which included a 3-0 tournament-opening loss to the Czech Republic. After tying eventual Cup champion Italy 1-1, the Americans could have advanced to Group Play with a victory over Ghana, but lost that match 2-1 after a controversial penalty call late in the first half.

"You can't put that entirely on a coach," Dempsey said. "It's on the players as well. We didn't do what we needed to do. He put us in the position to be successful and we came up short. Both parties should be blamed, but that's not the way it works. And it's tough that he gets the blame."

Arena compiled a 71-30-29 record during his eight years, including records for consecutive games unbeaten (16 in 2003-04) and most wins in a calendar year (13 in 2005), as well as for best winning percentage in a calendar year (.750 in 2005). In addition to his team's performances in the World Cup, he coached the U.S. team to two CONCACAF Gold Cup championships (in 2002 and 2005) and a third-place finish at the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup.

His 71 victories and .658 winning percentage are U.S. soccer records.

"I would like to thank the players, coaches and staff who have been with the program over the last eight years," Arena said in a statement. "Their tireless effort has helped transform the national team program into something we can all be proud of, and I am extremely grateful for their commitment. I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience, and I would like to thank U.S. Soccer for the opportunity and their support throughout my tenure. I am proud of how far the organization has come over the last eight years, and I am extremely optimistic about the future of the sport in our country."

On Friday, Gulati said he hadn't talked to Klinsmann in six months, but acknowledged the former German star could be a potential candidate.

"He's a very inquisitive guy," Gulati said. "He comes to coaches conventions, he'll ask Anson Dorrance how he motivated his North Carolina teams. All those sorts of things. He's intelligent, multi-lingual. He has a lot of positive qualities."

Arena, on the other hand, said he plans to take some time off before weighing future coaching opportunities both here and abroad.

[BreizhManu]

Psst.. Cannavaro signed with Madrid yesterday.

Heard nothing about it and I live in Spain...The big news here is rather Thuram being linked with the Barça.

Everything is really going to change tomorrow anyway.

[Desnudo]

Yeah, Gattuso has said he wants to stay at AC Milan too. I'd guess if it's only Serie B most will be ok with staying assuming they'll come straight back up, especially the younger players. I'd guess the older ones (Vieira, Nedved, etc) will be the ones looking to stay in the top division somewhere.

The additional consideration for players is Champions League football. You are actually at least two seasons from that, even if you come staight back from Serie B. With Juve's 30 point penalty pretty much guaranteeing them two seasons in B, that's three seasons at minimum without the CL.

[BreizhManu]

Juventus relegated + 30 point penalty. Ouch.

Fiorentina + Lazio relegated too.

Milan stay in Serie A but have 15 point penalty.

edit - Milan stay in Serie A with a 44 point penalty, not 15. Juventus stripped of their last two titles.

And Milan won't be allowed to play the CL too.

15 points for Fiorentina and 7 for Lazio too.

I've read 15 points for Milan.

[Desnudo]

And Milan won't be allowed to play the CL too.

15 points for Fiorentina and 7 for Lazio too.

I've read 15 points for Milan.

From the BBC:

AC Milan will stay in Serie A but will lose 15 points and will be kicked out of the Champions League.

Juventus were also stripped of their last two titles and had 30 points deducted meaning that they are almost certain to stay down for two seasons.

Lazio were penalised seven points while Fiorentina suffered a 12 point penalty.

More to follow.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5164194.stm

[BreizhManu]

yep it's 12 points for fiorentina, just checked on yahoo italia :

http://it.sports.yahoo.com/14072006/4/stangata-juve-in-b-30-fiorentina-in-b-12.html

[Critch]

I've read 15 points for Milan.

Yeah, I read 15 but then somebody insisted that Italian tv said 44. Apparently it is 15.

Also heard that Milan will be awarded the two stripped championships?

[SirFozzie]

Juve in Serie B.. plus 30 Point penalty plus two titles taken away
Fiorentina in Serie B Plus 15 Points penalty
Lazio Serie B plus 7 points penalty

Milan had 44 points taken off their 2005-06 total, so no games in Europe next year, and had a 15 point penalty assessed for this year (06-07)

All teams are out of Europe and that part CANNOT be appealed, all other penalties can be appealed.

[BreizhManu]

I guess probably just the last one since the judgment says the Juve finishes last of the championship while for 2004-2005 the title is revocated.

Anyway that is a big mess and is not the most important.

[Desnudo]

So can we assume that Lazio and Fiorentina will be appealing? At least that's how it sounded from the lead-in to the verdict.

Also, does anyone know the differences in the case? I really have no idea, other than the Juventus case, what the other three teams did.

[SirFozzie]

I guess probably just the last one since the judgment says the Juve finishes last of the championship while for 2004-2005 the title is revocated.

Anyway that is a big mess and is not the most important.

Sounds to me that 04-05 there will be no champion, and 05-06 Juventus will be last and thus Inter will win after AC Milan's point deduction

[cartman]

yep it's 12 points for fiorentina, just checked on yahoo italia :

http://it.sports.yahoo.com/14072006/4/stangata-juve-in-b-30-fiorentina-in-b-12.html

In case any non-Italian readers clicked on this link, 'mila' is thousand, not million. :)

[Critch]

So Inter finally win the league :)

I'll have some money on AC Milan winning the league next season after their point deduction is reduced on appeal.

[SirFozzie]

Basically, this means the 3 teams that finished 18th, 19th and 20th in Serie A go back up to Serie A instead of being relegated.

Juve MIGHT go up to A next year, since there's 22 teams in B, it's a 42 game season.. but they'll have to be near perfect.

[DaddyTorgo]

wow. wild and crazy shit.

[Crapshoot]

Huge break for Milan, in avoiding relegation - now that Belusconi is out of power, that was somewhat surprising. Bad news for Madrid and co, who wanted Kaka, Gattuso and co. This also means the top Italian stars are probably signing for Inter and AC respectively.

[Desnudo]

Stars may still leave if they want CL football.

[tanglewood]

Italy's representatives in Europe will be interesting this season:

Inter and Roma in the Champions League group stages
Chievo and Palermo in the Champions League qualifiers
Livorno, Parma and Empoli in the UEFA Cup

[SirFozzie]

One of my friends just sent me this which made me laugh..


"And Juventus have won their 10th straight game to start their first season in Serie B, and are currently last in the table with 0 points!"

[Crapshoot]

Stars may still leave if they want CL football.

Yeah, but Inter can provide them that, and one year at Milan without it isn't going to hurt anyone. Moreover, at this point, AC's probably a favorite, even with the 15 point drop, to grab at least the 4th CL spot.

[DaddyTorgo]

One of my friends just sent me this which made me laugh..


"And Juventus have won their 10th straight game to start their first season in Serie B, and are currently last in the table with 0 points!"

HAHA:D

[ISiddiqui]

Wow... that is kind of good. Juve only goes to Serie B, but the point deduction is so much that they are almost guarenteed to stay there. Taking the CL from Milan and Juve also deprives them of big money as well :D.

Oh, and switching topics, THANKS BRUCE! Without you, we'd still be laughingstocks the world over (no smart comments, you Eurosnobs ;)).

[tanglewood]

One good thing to come from all this, it's going to great taking over Juventus in FM2007. :)

[SirFozzie]

Yeah.

it'll look at the talent and demand you win it all..

then after 8 games, when you're last with -6 points, it'll fire you for being in last ;)

[Ajaxab]

Is there any chance that this decision could cause a longer term power shift in Italian football? Does it give clubs like Chievo's Flying Donkeys a shot at gaining some of the pie that Juve has given up and potentially bode well for making Serie A more competitive? I'm not optimistic, but I'd be curious to hear from others.

[SirFozzie]

Chievo Vaffanculo..... Hellas Verona

[Crapshoot]

Chievo Vaffanculo..... Hellas Verona

propos on the Tim Parks reference... :D

[SirFozzie]

I follow Verona because of that book :)

[FrogMan]

the title of a blog post on Maple Lions (http://www.maplelions.com/), a blog by canadians following English, and well world football:Ha colpito il ventilatore.* (http://www.maplelions.com/2006/07/14/ha-colpito-il-ventilatore/)

*it has hit the fan

I have no clue if the translation is good or not, can only assume it is, and it made me laugh :)

FM

[Critch]

I follow Verona because of that book :)

It's a great book. Great insight into the thinking of football fans, much closer than Fever Pitch anyway.

I've went for Treviso as my Italian team as their fans appear to fly Scotland flags. It's probably some regional flag as the colors don't match their strip, but it looks like a Scotland flag so that's good enough for me. If none of the appeals following today succeed, this is a good day to be a Treviso fan as the big three going down has saved them from relegation.

[cthomer5000]

It's on my Comcast digital sports tier ($5/month extra.. and you have to have digital cable, of course).

I'm up and running... yay... it'll be nice to have somethign to get into a bit before the start of the NFL season, and definitely in in the february-may months...

[Desnudo]

Yeah, but Inter can provide them that, and one year at Milan without it isn't going to hurt anyone. Moreover, at this point, AC's probably a favorite, even with the 15 point drop, to grab at least the 4th CL spot.

It's a fairly interesting prisoner's dilemma type problem actually. If everyone at AC Milan stays, then you probably make that 4th spot, especially without the three teams that were demoted. But if players start to leave, then your odds start diminishing.

[Oilers9911]

So Juve was stripped of the last two titles. Are they now awarded to anyone or are they just considered vacant?

[cartman]

So Juve was stripped of the last two titles. Are they now awarded to anyone or are they just considered vacant?

From what I read on an Italian news site, it appears that nothing will be determined until after the appeals are heard. Once the process runs it's course, the placement of the titles will be announced.

[Oilers9911]

From what I read on an Italian news site, it appears that nothing will be determined until after the appeals are heard. Once the process runs it's course, the placement of the titles will be announced.

Was AC Milan the runner-up both years? Because I imagine they would not be eligible for the titles either.

[cartman]

Was AC Milan the runner-up both years? Because I imagine they would not be eligible for the titles either.

Yep, the past couple of seasons it has been 1. Juve 2. Milan 3. Inter. Milan only had points deducted for this past season, so they are probably still eligible for the 2004-2005 Scudetto. Inter, it would appear, would be awarded the 2005-2006 Scudetto. But the soccer organization may decide to leave the titles vacant, meaning Milan would be the reigining champ, since they won the title in 2003-2004. Still a lot of uncertainty regarding this. And, Italians being the way they are, everyone has a different opinion on how the situation should be resolved. :)

[Oilers9911]

What a huge deal this must be in Italy. Imagine the Red Sox being demoted to AAA and being stripped of the 2004 World Series.

[Critch]

Milan are claiming innocence.

“They say we were part of this system, that we rigged things to our advantage. Well, Milan was the richest in Italy, the acting Milan president was also the president of the Italian league, the Milan owner – me – was Prime Minister and we controlled three television networks. And we still didn’t win any league titles. Do they really think that, given all that power, we would rig the league so that we could finish second?” - Silvio Berlusconi

[AlexB]

Milan are claiming innocence.

“They say we were part of this system, that we rigged things to our advantage. Well, Milan was the richest in Italy, the acting Milan president was also the president of the Italian league, the Milan owner – me – was Prime Minister and we controlled three television networks. And we still didn’t win any league titles. Do they really think that, given all that power, we would rig the league so that we could finish second?” - Silvio Berlusconi

So in effect he is saying: 'I don't mind being called a cheat, but I resent being called incompetent' :D

[Katon]

That's Berlusconi all right.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

What a huge deal this must be in Italy. Imagine the Red Sox being demoted to AAA and being stripped of the 2004 World Series.

Actually, it's more like the Yankees losing two of their 26 titles and being forced to play in AAA.

I'm not sure the punishments here fit the crimes. I keep hearing it referred to as the "match fixing scandal," but were any matches actually fixed? I understand that Juve officials wanted refs that were friendly to them, but does this automatically imply that they were fixed? Shouldn't the refs who favor certain clubs be looked at as well? Maybe they are, but I don't hear anything regarding that.

This whole thing reminds me of how the NCAA handles things. The schools are punished because of the actions of some of their staff, but it usually ends up hurting the innocent instead of the guilty. I understand the need to send a harsh message, but why punish the clubs/schools when most likely they didn't know what was going on? Punish those responsible with a lifetime ban. That will get their attention.

Of course, I'm a Juve supporter so take all this with a grain of salt. I just hate the idea of being stuck in Serie B for two years. First Leeds, now this. At least Barça is still doing well (crosses fingers).

[SirFozzie]

Some refs have been banned for a period of time as well.

Match-Fixing is the label that the media gave it. The charges that they were guilty of were "Sporting Fraud".

And there's no doubt Juve and crew benefited from the illegal actions. How do you "make good" two years of the kind of things that happened... you have to punish the team, because you can't.

[ISiddiqui]

Indeed... if anything, the punishments are far less lenient than the crimes. This impacts the integrity of the sport. When some clubs can determine which refs are doing their matches (and which are doing their opponents') the entire system comes into disrepute. Remember, in soccer, it is far easier for a ref to change the game with one call (a penalty for example) than in other sports.

[Desnudo]

Actually, it's more like the Yankees losing two of their 26 titles and being forced to play in AAA.

I'm not sure the punishments here fit the crimes. I keep hearing it referred to as the "match fixing scandal," but were any matches actually fixed? I understand that Juve officials wanted refs that were friendly to them, but does this automatically imply that they were fixed? Shouldn't the refs who favor certain clubs be looked at as well? Maybe they are, but I don't hear anything regarding that.

This whole thing reminds me of how the NCAA handles things. The schools are punished because of the actions of some of their staff, but it usually ends up hurting the innocent instead of the guilty. I understand the need to send a harsh message, but why punish the clubs/schools when most likely they didn't know what was going on? Punish those responsible with a lifetime ban. That will get their attention.

Of course, I'm a Juve supporter so take all this with a grain of salt. I just hate the idea of being stuck in Serie B for two years. First Leeds, now this. At least Barça is still doing well (crosses fingers).

They certainly were trying to alter the results of matches. Not exactly fixing per se, but the intent is certainly the same: alter the outcome in your favor. The big difference in this scandal is also that team management was involved. Typically match fixing involves an outside influence, bookie, betting parlor, etc.. What makes it such a huge deal is that the corruption came from the inside.

[RPI-Fan]

Milan are claiming innocence.

“They say we were part of this system, that we rigged things to our advantage. Well, Milan was the richest in Italy, the acting Milan president was also the president of the Italian league, the Milan owner – me – was Prime Minister and we controlled three television networks. And we still didn’t win any league titles. Do they really think that, given all that power, we would rig the league so that we could finish second?” - Silvio Berlusconi

Apparantly he doesn't understand the accusations -- the accusations involve selecting which referees do their game. You very well could take all of your poewr to do that, and still finish 2nd.

[AlexB]

I think he was trying to say if they were going to rig it they wouldn't stop at just selecting referees, but would out and out decide matches.

I know where he's coming from - he's claiming innocence precisely because the cheating they are accused of isn't a guarantee of success: if he was to cheat, he would ensure they had this guarantee... By this logic, they didn't win, therefore they didn't cheat.

I don't necessarily believe him, but that is the explanation. It's not overly deep.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

Indeed... if anything, the punishments are far less lenient than the crimes. This impacts the integrity of the sport. When some clubs can determine which refs are doing their matches (and which are doing their opponents') the entire system comes into disrepute. Remember, in soccer, it is far easier for a ref to change the game with one call (a penalty for example) than in other sports.

Ok, I don't disagree that this whole scandal does give the sport a black eye and that serious action has to be taken against those responsible. But has anyone gone back and looked at the past two seasons to see if controversial calls went in Juve's favor consistently?

I know, I should take off my black and white tinted glasses to see this for what it really is, but it's hard to accept this. Especially when those Milan bastards got to stay in the top flight (not that I'm surprised).

[AlexB]

Ok, I don't disagree that this whole scandal does give the sport a black eye and that serious action has to be taken against those responsible. But has anyone gone back and looked at the past two seasons to see if controversial calls went in Juve's favor consistently?

I know, I should take off my black and white tinted glasses to see this for what it really is, but it's hard to accept this. Especially when those Milan bastards got to stay in the top flight (not that I'm surprised).

Don't forget the wire taps were ordered during the investigation into Juventus' club doctor giving players performance enhancing drugs (for which he was convicted). So if the cheating by adminstering drugs hadn't happened, there is a possibility that this additional cheating wouldn't have occurred...

[daedalus]

I'm not sure the punishments here fit the crimes. I keep hearing it referred to as the "match fixing scandal," but were any matches actually fixed? I understand that Juve officials wanted refs that were friendly to them, but does this automatically imply that they were fixed? Shouldn't the refs who favor certain clubs be looked at as well? Maybe they are, but I don't hear anything regarding that.Actually, that's been brought up as well. I'm basing these comments on an article in the June '06 World Soccer written by Paddy Agnew (I put his name in here in case he's had a long-standing axe to grind with these teams that I am not aware of). One example given involved ex-referee Danilo Nucini awarded a penalty against Juventus for Bologna in January '01. He was suspended for 4 weekends and, supposedly (according to the article), his "top-flight career" was more or less ended. According to him, it was a clear penalty where Iuliano handled the ball and supposedly admitted it in a TV interview that was never broadcast. Another did not directly involved Juventus but was between Siena and Livorno on May 8, 2005. Apparently, Siena -- who had players and coach Gigi Di Canio on GEA Sports Agency's books, which happens to be run by Alessandro Moggi . . . son of -- was struggling to avoid relegation. In the match, Livorno defender Fabio Galante was "controversially" sent off after 17 minutes in a match officiated by De Santis where he supposedly boasted to Innocenzo Mazzini afterward: "Did you see it? Off and away we go and I had one of them already off." Apparently, Pierluigi Pairetto told referee Paolo Dondarini to keep "50 eyes wide open" ready to "see even that which is not there". The author postulates that he may be making a veiled reference to make sure to call even a non-existing penalty.I'm with ISiddiqui in that I think they got off even more lightly than deserved -- I could certainly live with Serie C AND 40-50 point reduction. In fact, I think IF they appeal and fail, their punishment should become more severe.

I also don't see any mention of tapping up and what nots with transfer. Apparently, the transcript talked about their attempt to buy Zlatan Ibrahimovic. When negotiation stalled in the summer of '04, he was advised to create a fuss. So he supposedly went out and got into a big deal with his Ajax teammates by, uhhh, kicking Rafael van der Vaart and John Heitinga in a friendly between Holland and Sweden. I guess that didn't leave Ajax much choice but to let him join Juve 2 weeks later.

[Critch]

One of the big tricks Juventus were pulling was to make sure that future opponents would get a harsh referee the week before playing Juventus. One example is that they picked a known card-fiend for a Bologna game the week before they played Juventus. Bologna had three players sent off, so they were all suspended for the Juventus game.

It might not be straight forward match fixing in the traditional sense, but it's certainly playing the percentages in a dishonest manner.

According to Gabriele Marcotti, Lazio could be the biggest loser in all this. Fiorentina, AC Milan and Juventus all have huge amounts of money behind them so they'll bounce back, but Lazio were already on the verge of bankruptcy and may not survive now.

This is just the first batch of clubs to be tried, there are five other smaller clubs still to be disciplined before we find out who's actually in Serie A next year. Messina, Reggina, Siena, Lecce and Arezzo are still to face the panel.

[Desnudo]

One of the big tricks Juventus were pulling was to make sure that future opponents would get a harsh referee the week before playing Juventus. One example is that they picked a known card-fiend for a Bologna game the week before they played Juventus. Bologna had three players sent off, so they were all suspended for the Juventus game.

It might not be straight forward match fixing in the traditional sense, but it's certainly playing the percentages in a dishonest manner.

According to Gabriele Marcotti, Lazio could be the biggest loser in all this. Fiorentina, AC Milan and Juventus all have huge amounts of money behind them so they'll bounce back, but Lazio were already on the verge of bankruptcy and may not survive now.

This is just the first batch of clubs to be tried, there are five other smaller clubs still to be disciplined before we find out who's actually in Serie A next year. Messina, Reggina, Siena, Lecce and Arezzo are still to face the panel.

Another example was Juve pressing to have the Fiorentina match played after the Pope died because Fiorentina had a few key players suspended.

[Joe]

it's official:



Report: Cannavaro to join Real Madrid
Fabio Cannavaro

Fabio Cannavaro

Associated Press

7/16/2006 1:30:35 PM

MADRID, Spain (AP) - Italy's World Cup winning captain and Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro has decided to sign for Real Madrid next season, a Spanish newspaper reported on Sunday.

Cannavaro called former Juventus and current Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello and told him that he will play for the Spanish powerhouse, the sports daily AS reported.

The 32-year-old defender, widely considered one of the top players at the World Cup in Germany, has also been targeted by Chelsea and Italian powerhouse AC Milan, according to media reports.

After the reported call, Capello contacted Real chairman Ramon Calderon to confirm that Cannavaro will be in the Santiago Bernabeu next season, AS said without naming a source.

Madrid's sports director Peja Mijatovic said earlier this week that the club was close to signing Cannavaro.


Juventus, Italy's domestic champion for the past two years, has been relegated to Serie B in the country's match-fixing scandal but can appeal. Several of its players are reportedly seeking to move to other clubs.

Real Madrid has not won a trophy in three years despite a glittering lineup that boasts players like Ronaldo and David Beckham.

[Joe]

It's on my Comcast digital sports tier ($5/month extra.. and you have to have digital cable, of course).


Do you get goltv in the digital sports tier? I got that hooked up a few weeks ago and am wondering if it is included somewhere that I can't find or is just in some areas because I heard comcast started carrying it.

[cthomer5000]

Do you get goltv in the digital sports tier? I got that hooked up a few weeks ago and am wondering if it is included somewhere that I can't find or is just in some areas because I heard comcast started carrying it.

Yeah, I'm getting it. The channels are right next to each other here. I'm on comcast.

[Joe]

Yeah, I'm getting it. The channels are right next to each other here. I'm on comcast.

Crap, my area probably is too white to get it. All that is near that channel is NBA TV, NFL TV, College Sports TV, and the 3 Fox College Sports channels.

[RPI-Fan]

Crap, my area probably is too white to get it. All that is near that channel is NBA TV, NFL TV, College Sports TV, and the 3 Fox College Sports channels.

At least you get NFL TV!! :(

I don't get that OR GolTV OR Setanta.

Edit: I have Timewarner Cable.

[Joe]

At least you get NFL TV!! :(

I don't get that OR GolTV OR Setanta.

Edit: I have Timewarner Cable.


I'd gladly trade NFL TV for GOLTV. I'd throw in a few other channels too. :D

[ISiddiqui]

Do you get goltv in the digital sports tier? I got that hooked up a few weeks ago and am wondering if it is included somewhere that I can't find or is just in some areas because I heard comcast started carrying it.

I got it, but its on Ch 294 while FSC is 124. Though GolTV is next to all the Fox Sports Atlantic/Central/Pacific channels. So search around. See if the English language version is next to the Spanish language one.

[Joe]

I got it, but its on Ch 294 while FSC is 124. Though GolTV is next to all the Fox Sports Atlantic/Central/Pacific channels. So search around. See if the English language version is next to the Spanish language one.

crap I checked the comcast site and what I get is:

262 Fox College Sports Atlantic
263 Fox College Sports Central
264 Fox College Sports Pacific
267 Fox Soccer Channel
273 NBA TV
274 College Sports TV
275 NFL TV

[ISiddiqui]

What you need to do is leave rude call after rude call, demanding GolTV until it happens ;).

[RPI-Fan]

I'd gladly trade NFL TV for GOLTV. I'd throw in a few other channels too. :D

I'll trade you Speed Channel and NBA TV for NFL TV. :D

[Critch]

What you need to do is leave rude call after rude call, demanding GolTV until it happens ;).

Try doing it with different voices and accents to fool them into thinking it's more than one person calling.

[ice4277]

Crap, my area probably is too white to get it. All that is near that channel is NBA TV, NFL TV, College Sports TV, and the 3 Fox College Sports channels.

I live in probably the whitest of the white areas in Detroit, yet even we get GolTV.

Not that that makes you feel any better ;)

[cthomer5000]

What's everyone's take on GolTv? Based on my 3-day sample, I'd say I prefer Fox's programming about 95% of the time anyway.

[ice4277]

What's everyone's take on GolTv? Based on my 3-day sample, I'd say I prefer Fox's programming about 95% of the time anyway.

In terms of the quality of presentation, FSC is much better IMO. However, they do show a lot of games, and its the only place to catch La Liga, plus they generally have the better matches from Italy, although who knows what will happen with that now. In addition, they have UEFA Cup and usually have World Cup/Euro qualifiers.

If I had to choose one, it would be FSC, but GolTV is a nice compliment. I pay the extra $5 for the Comcast sports tier, and I would probably pay if it was only for GolTV.

[Critch]

GolTV is good during the European season, good coverage of the Spanish and Italian league plus UEFA Cup games.

During the summer it struggles to fil time just like FOX. At least it still has some live South American soccer over the summer when FOX is dredging out it's "classics" (is Bolton beating West Ham 4-1 from last season really a classic?) and that Fox United garbage.

It would be better to rate GolTV on three days during it's season that the summer stuff, I think. It's much the same standard as FOX, but with different leagues and more games. Really depends whether you prefer Spanish and Italian coverage to Fox's EPL. GolTV's Italian coverage is far better than FOX's.

[Butter]

Some of the Brazilian matches on GolTV are fairly entertaining... and I always enjoyed watching Real Madrid underachieve on the live Spanish telecasts. But their presentation is for crap... you can never hear the crowd in any of their games. I will miss the UEFA Cup matches, but in the end the final is on FSC anyway. I dropped DirecTV a few months back and honestly haven't missed GolTV much at all. If your main interest is English soccer, there's not much of a reason to have it, unless you want to see the odd friendly or UEFA Cup game here and there.

[Desnudo]

Some of the Brazilian matches on GolTV are fairly entertaining... and I always enjoyed watching Real Madrid underachieve on the live Spanish telecasts. But their presentation is for crap... you can never hear the crowd in any of their games. I will miss the UEFA Cup matches, but in the end the final is on FSC anyway. I dropped DirecTV a few months back and honestly haven't missed GolTV much at all. If your main interest is English soccer, there's not much of a reason to have it, unless you want to see the odd friendly or UEFA Cup game here and there.

Have you heard the FSC Serie A broadcasts? It's like the guy is broadcasting from a soundproof booth. :)

[Butter]

Have you heard the FSC Serie A broadcasts? It's like the guy is broadcasting from a soundproof booth. :)

Yeah. I think my favorite moment from their broadcasts last season was some Italian match that was delayed because the wind had knocked down a couple of fences between the crowd and the field. The guy kept saying "the word from the match is that this match has been abandoned". First of all, you know he wasn't getting any word from the match unless he can speak Italian. Secondly, he kept saying it was abandoned, and that they would get back to the action when the necessary repairs had been made. His definition of abandoned and mine just don't get along.

[Crapshoot]

Crap, my area probably is too white to get it. All that is near that channel is NBA TV, NFL TV, College Sports TV, and the 3 Fox College Sports channels.


"". Course, I live in Boston, and should have expected this. :D

[cthomer5000]

...when FOX is dredging out it's "classics" (is Bolton beating West Ham 4-1 from last season really a classic?) and that Fox United garbage.
Heh, I imagine the picks can be spotty, but I did watch a few "classics" over those 3 days and thought they actually did a pretty good job with the selections. The Liverpool-Everton match from last year for example (at Anfield) where the action was just insane in the first half with the number of cards (Gerrard getting two yellows in 2 minutes, and being sent off 18 minutes in), then an own goal by Neville to put Liverpool up 1-0, then Luis Garcia putting one in 2 minutes into the second half while down a man.

[SirFozzie]

*waves to Anxiety, grinning*

[ISiddiqui]

What's everyone's take on GolTv? Based on my 3-day sample, I'd say I prefer Fox's programming about 95% of the time anyway.

GolTV has a FAR better picture. Though that could be because La Liga has a better picture than the EPL? I usually watch the EPL, so FSC is mostly what I watch soccer on, but sometimes there is a good La Liga, Brazilian, or Serie A match on. And now, with FSC dumping the French Ligue 1 and German Bundesliga, one of them may find their way on GolTV (I've heard the Bundesliga wanted way too much money, so they are unlikely to be it ;)).

[SirFozzie]

French Ligue 1 is on Setanta I believe

[ISiddiqui]

Oh well, not like I watched much of that anyway.

[Abe Sargent]

*waves to Anxiety, grinning*


Bastard!

:)


-Anxiety

[SirFozzie]

your point? :)

[Desnudo]

French Ligue 1 is on Setanta I believe

Tres boring. Although I found the 70s era end of match graphics from French TV amusing.

[Critch]

FSC should pick up the Russian league. It's competitive, there are a lot of imports now since every team seems to have an oil billionaire behind them now, and, most importantly, it's a summer league so they'd have something to show during the dead months.

[daedalus]

GolTV has ArsenalTV which makes them good.

Unfortunately, I do not have GolTV at hom.

I cry.

[ice4277]

GolTV has ArsenalTV which, on second thought, makes them worthy of dropping from my cable lineup.

I cry.
fixed

[Critch]

Bruce Arena to the New York Red Bulls. Looks like they're splashing the money around already.

[Butter]

I guess this is the beginning of the attempt to bankrupt the MLS, a la NASL. Not that Arena is expensive, but I have heard some wild rumors about how willing the new NY owners are to spend lots and lots of money for a team that doesn't draw very well.

[cthomer5000]

How much could Arena really have cost?

[ISiddiqui]

More than any other MLS coach, at the very least ;).

He made, what a $1 a year on the national side. I'm guess at least half that.

Though I disagree that this is going to turn the MLS into the NASL... I mean there is STILL a salary cap. And now more money, through the TV deal. Had to make a move at some point to do shore up the crappy Red Bulls before they move into the new stadium.

[cthomer5000]

And the league has a very big interest in seeing the NY squad succeed.

[SirFozzie]

The Beckham exception is going to be interesting next year..

[Desnudo]

I guess this is the beginning of the attempt to bankrupt the MLS, a la NASL. Not that Arena is expensive, but I have heard some wild rumors about how willing the new NY owners are to spend lots and lots of money for a team that doesn't draw very well.

I think the current crop of owners are too savvy to let that happen. Red Bull aside, I don't think any of the other owners will do anything too ridiculous. So even if Red Bull broke the bank for a player or two, it won't set a trend in the league. And Red Bull certainly has the resources to do it, so going bankrupt isn't a concern.

[ISiddiqui]

And the Beckham exception only takes one guy off the salary cap. I expect for the lower revenue teams, they'll just take their highest paid player off and have some more room to work with for the supporting cast.

[cthomer5000]

The Beckham exception is going to be interesting next year..

He's still under contract for next year, I think 08-09 is the more likely arrival date for Beckham. Plus the Red Bulls stadium won't be open until then. :)

[GoldenEagle]

But the Red Bulls can go out and get someone like Ronaldo this year.

[fantastic flying froggies]

But the Red Bulls can go out and get someone like Ronaldo this year.

or Zidane?

There actually are some rumors floating around of him going to the US.
I really don't see it happening, but you never know...

[tanglewood]

Zidane? That would make an interesting headline...

Zizou Retires From Top Level Competetive Football, Joins MLS

[fantastic flying froggies]

lol

[MIJB#19]

How far developed are MLS' tv rights, gate money and sponsorship contracts right now? How stable is it that a team could pay big enough figures to draw players away from big money on top of playing in the most prestige annual tournament (UEFA Champions' League) there is right now?

[SirFozzie]

The problem is, we're still single-entity, MIJB.. the owners of the teams aren't really owners, they're owner/operators. The league shares profits/losses/etcetera

The so-called "Beckham exemption" (named for the guy it most gets associated with) would be each MLS team being allowed 1 or 2 players that would not count against our salary cap. The team has to pay the full amount tho, no expecting the league to do it.

Our next TV contract will pay $7.5 Million to the league for four years.

One nice thing is that there's going to be a new CONCACAF Champions Cup, featuring a lot of teams from US/Mexico, and that figures to do big business in gates.

[MIJB#19]

I see, a loophole around the salary cap. That could work, but you still need to get the money somewhere. Is the MLS (in particular the NY franchise) ready to pay multiple million dollars to one player and not go bankrupt?


do you think a CONCACAF tournament could work? I mean, you have two big leagues and basically nothing else in that zone. Would people pay to see a USA-Mexico battle all the time? Maybe it's wiser to join the CONMEBOL tournaments? I know that happens already to a small degree, but I'm talking about the Copa Libertadores, not the second tier tournaments. Or are the South American associations not interested?

[ISiddiqui]

Btw, is it still totally "single entity" with Red Bull and Chivas involved in the league? Are Red Bull and Chivas part of the single group, or are they seperate? I thought that was the goal?

[SirFozzie]

They're still single entity, just RBNY is pledging a lot of money to boost their team.

Also, the Concacaf Champions Cup will have a Group Stage before knockouts and will have at least 16 teams, believe at least half of them (8-9?) from US/Mexico, the rest from Central America, the Caribbean, etcetera

[Desnudo]

I see, a loophole around the salary cap. That could work, but you still need to get the money somewhere. Is the MLS (in particular the NY franchise) ready to pay multiple million dollars to one player and not go bankrupt?


do you think a CONCACAF tournament could work? I mean, you have two big leagues and basically nothing else in that zone. Would people pay to see a USA-Mexico battle all the time? Maybe it's wiser to join the CONMEBOL tournaments? I know that happens already to a small degree, but I'm talking about the Copa Libertadores, not the second tier tournaments. Or are the South American associations not interested?

Red Bull is capable, and apparently willing, of fronting the money since they'd probably view it as a marketing expense. Not sure about the other teams' owners, although someone like Robert Kraft of New England could certainly afford it. It would just be whether the desire, or business case, was there.

I think the winner of the MLS Cup was invited to participate in the Copa a few years back and MLS declined. There has been talk of the US playing in the next Copa Sudamerica. Whether that happens or not will probably depend on the new coach.

[cthomer5000]

I see, a loophole around the salary cap. That could work, but you still need to get the money somewhere. Is the MLS (in particular the NY franchise) ready to pay multiple million dollars to one player and not go bankrupt?

The simplest way of putting it is that the league as a whole has lost over $350 million dollars during it's existence and outside investor interest is still higher than ever. Everyone realizes this will work, but it's just a matter of time. If people weren't committed you wouldn't have seen the number of new franchises popping up or Red Bull come in and buy a team.

As the stadium situation improves (it's already improved a lot, and a number of brand new soccer stadiums will open between now and 2010), the finances will improve greatly. Still, will all that being said TV money is not a big factor at all right now. And the salary cap is so low that I think it could be pretty damaging if they make a "Beckham exception" without dramatically increasing the overall team caps as well (say, moving them from $2 million per team to at least $5 million per team).

Soccer faces an uphill climb in the US because of a vicous cycle:
You don't get your highlights shown a lot = it's hard to get fans to your game
no fans at the game = games look and sound unexciting on TV
because the games look and sound boring = the press isn't interested in covering your games seriously
back to step 1The funny thing is that as "bad" as people think MLS is doing, the attendance numbers are barely any lower than the NHL. Yet there is a huge difference in perception.

[Fighter of Foo]

Cannavaro and Emerson are both confirmed to Madrid. Sergio Ramos probably will see regular time at right back instead of in the middle of the defense. Emerson gives them a true, top class defensive midfielder, something they haven't had since selling Makelele (coincidentally the last year they won anything).

Madrid should be much improved defensively with Cannavaro running things and La Liga should be dominated by Real and Barca this season.

The rest of the major transfer stuff is still all rumor at this point.

[bulletsponge]

if i had a few million lying around i would be tempted to get an MLS franchise. getting in on the ground floor has made the original AFL owners filthy rich.

[daedalus]

Cannavaro and Emerson are both confirmed to Madrid. Sergio Ramos probably will see regular time at right back instead of in the middle of the defense. Emerson gives them a true, top class defensive midfielder, something they haven't had since selling Makelele (coincidentally the last year they won anything).Nah, I would expect Woodgate will be hurt sooner than later and then Ramos will be back in the middle with Cicinho out wide.Madrid should be much improved defensively with Cannavaro running things and La Liga should be dominated by Real and Barca this season.They're going to be a whole hell of a lot better, that's for sure. Cannavaro and Emerson protecting Casillas is yummy.

[AlexB]

Thuram and Zambrotta to Barca for £13m combined fee. Great deal for Barca.

[ice4277]

Thuram and Zambrotta to Barca for £13m combined fee. Great deal for Barca.

Barca and Madrid are pulling away from the pack, that's for sure.

[Joe]

excellent

[Icy]

Cannavaro and Emerson are both confirmed to Madrid. Sergio Ramos probably will see regular time at right back instead of in the middle of the defense. Emerson gives them a true, top class defensive midfielder, something they haven't had since selling Makelele (coincidentally the last year they won anything).

Madrid should be much improved defensively with Cannavaro running things and La Liga should be dominated by Real and Barca this season.

The rest of the major transfer stuff is still all rumor at this point.

A defensive middfielder is exactly what Madrid needed, i'm looking forward for the start of the season.

[Katon]

Barca and Madrid are pulling away from the pack, that's for sure.

Barca especially. Their defense was their only (relative) weakness, and Zambrotta especially ought to help with that. Thuram should also be an improvement, as long as he can stay near his WC form, but I think they were a bit stronger in central defence than at fullback.

[tanglewood]

Barca especially. Their defense was their only (relative) weakness, and Zambrotta especially ought to help with that. Thuram should also be an improvement, as long as he can stay near his WC form, but I think they were a bit stronger in central defence than at fullback.

Agree, a backline of Zambrotta, Marquez, Thuram, Belletti, with Edmilson sitting ahead of them looks pretty damn good to me. Now they just need to get a beter keeper than Valdes, who is decent but not that reliable, and they have just about a perfect team.

[Katon]

Their backline is actually even better than that - remember Puyol? I think Chelsea have a slightly better defence (Cech & Makelele versus Valdes & Edmilson is a noticeable advantage), but given how ridiculous Barca's offence can be it's tough to remember a better team.

[Joe]

this is what we are looking at this season, I am so pumped.

http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/mundo-img/20060721a/60_archivo55_graphic_10_1_2_20060721_YBA03M1.EPS.jpg

[Desnudo]

Their second team would challenge for the league title.

[MylesKnight]

Appeal verdict will be announced in Italian Soccer Clubs case shortly. Thoughts?

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Aikud_p3fBj_8D9f8kuC_Ckmw7YF?slug=reu-italyscandalverdicts_urgent&prov=reuters&type=lgns

[SirFozzie]

I don't see any let-off coming here, any changes will be minor (maybe -25 instead of -30 for Juve)

[SirFozzie]

Holy shit, if this is true, then they did get a HUGE let off.

(this is per a couple posts on Big Soccer)

Juve serie b -17
Fiorentina serie a -19
Lazio serie a -11
MIlan serie a -8, CL preliminaries.

[Cringer]

this is what we are looking at this season, I am so pumped.

http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/mundo-img/20060721a/60_archivo55_graphic_10_1_2_20060721_YBA03M1.EPS.jpg


I'll take the Houston Dynamo thank you very much. :)

[Katon]

Holy shit, if this is true, then they did get a HUGE let off.

(this is per a couple posts on Big Soccer)

Juve serie b -17
Fiorentina serie a -19
Lazio serie a -11
MIlan serie a -8, CL preliminaries.

I thought Milan were still out of the CL.

In any case, yes, this is a huge difference - Juve's odds of winning promotion just doubled and Milan now have an outside shot at the title. Lazio and Fiorentina probably won't get into Europe next year, but just being in Serie A will be huge (especially for Lazio, given their financial situation).

[cartman]

Here's a link to an Italian paper that pretty much confirms what has already been posted. It also appears that no one will be awarded the Scudetto for last season.

hxxp://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Altro_Calcio/Primo_Piano/2006/07_Luglio/25/lancetto.shtml

[ISiddiqui]

Holy shit, if this is true, then they did get a HUGE let off.

(this is per a couple posts on Big Soccer)

Juve serie b -17
Fiorentina serie a -19
Lazio serie a -11
MIlan serie a -8, CL preliminaries.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374375&cc=5901



ROME, July 25 (Reuters) - An appeals court confirmed on Tuesday that Juventus will play in Italy's second division Serie B next season but reduced the penalty points imposed on the soccer club for their involvement in a match-fixing scandal from -30 points to -17.
The court overturned a sports tribunal's decision to relegate Fiorentina and Lazio, allowing them stay in the top flight Serie A league next season but with penalty points. Fiorentina will start the new season with -19 points and Lazio with -11 points.

Initial reports suggest that AC Milan have been reinstated in the UEFA Champions League.

Damn.

[Ajaxab]

Damn is right. These teams dodged a huge bullet. I guess it's still okay to mess with referees given that these penalties aren't too severe. Who cares about the integrity of the game?

[Ajaxab]

dola

I love the statement by Juve's chairman: hxxp://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374399&cc=5739

It basically comes across as, "If you don't let us back into Serie A, we're going to start stamping our feet. If that doesn't work, we're going to hold our breath until our faces turn blue."

[ice4277]

That is bullshit.

[SirFozzie]

watch, the next level of appeals will knock it down some more.

The end of it will be four slaps on the wrist, and an official Parliment message of thanks about their tactics preparing Italy for the World Cup

[ISiddiqui]

Well, I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised. It is Italy after all.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

Interesting. I'm glad Juve's penalty was reduced some, and I hope they'll be able to bounce back up next year, but Milan being allowed into the Champions League is a complete joke. Taking away the CL money was the real punishment. With this decision, Milan got away scot-free. Color me shocked.

I feel sorry for the supporters of Lecce and Treviso. It must have been a serious roller coast for them the past few weeks.

[ice4277]

I feel sorry for the supporters of Lecce and Treviso. It must have been a serious roller coast for them the past few weeks.

I have no idea what those two squads have done in terms of bringing players in, but they could be screwed financially as well, especially if they've been bringing in/keeping players with wage levels you would find in Serie A.

[Desnudo]

I thought Milan were still out of the CL.

In any case, yes, this is a huge difference - Juve's odds of winning promotion just doubled and Milan now have an outside shot at the title. Lazio and Fiorentina probably won't get into Europe next year, but just being in Serie A will be huge (especially for Lazio, given their financial situation).

Report is that Milan is now the 4th team in for the CL. So qualifiers. Also Juve is going to sue in civil court to remain in Serie A.

Everyone knew it was coming, but what a joke. I'm sure Juve will get even more lenient treatment on their appeal, probably ending up back in Serie A. You try and fix matches and then get a slap on the wrist.

[Desnudo]

Ok, so looking into a bit further it appears that the evidence against Lazio and Fiorentina was pretty light to start with. Especially Lazio. Milan and Juve handling is ridiculous though.

[Katon]

Report is that Milan is now the 4th team in for the CL. So qualifiers. Also Juve is going to sue in civil court to remain in Serie A.

Everyone knew it was coming, but what a joke. I'm sure Juve will get even more lenient treatment on their appeal, probably ending up back in Serie A. You try and fix matches and then get a slap on the wrist.

It does look that way now, yes.

I think Juve were the only ones who had completely indefensible evidence against them. The rest weren't exactly innocent, but pretty clearly not on the same level. I don't have a problem with Fiorentina or Lazio's current punishment, and I could live with Milan's if it weren't for the CL reinstatement.

[Desnudo]

What looks odd to me is that Lazio and Fiorentina (especially) were buying up Serie A level players weeks before the verdict. I think the whole thing has become a sham. I think Milan's control of the media covered up their role. Really it should have been Milan to B and Juve to C in an impartial world.

[TazFTW]

Nice goal by the Crew.

Shame that Everton didn't start Howard.

[MIJB#19]

It does look that way now, yes.

I think Juve were the only ones who had completely indefensible evidence against them. The rest weren't exactly innocent, but pretty clearly not on the same level. I don't have a problem with Fiorentina or Lazio's current punishment, and I could live with Milan's if it weren't for the CL reinstatement.
If Milan is indeed found guilty of bribing (which it sounds like it does), then they have no business in playing in the UEFA competitions this season. If they do, UEFA has become even more of a joke than they already were...

[Jonathan Ezarik]

If Milan is indeed found guilty of bribing (which it sounds like it does), then they have no business in playing in the UEFA competitions this season. If they do, UEFA has become even more of a joke than they already were...

Can UEFA even do anything about it? I was under the impression that it's up to the FA of the said country to determine who appears in which tourney. Wasn't that one of the things last year when Liverpool wasn't going to get in the CL despite winning the year before?

So if the Italian FA says Milan is in, then they're in. Of course, I'm sure if UEFA really wanted to, they could keep Milan out, but I don't see that ever happening.

[Mac Howard]

UEFA are considering Milan's position later today. They could ban Milan themselves and either insist on another Italian club or give the spot to a team from another national league. It would be ironic, and deserved, if they took the second option and Italy lost a spot because of this.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

Having just read the article on soccernet about Milan in the Champions League, I see that their is precedent for UEFA to kick Milan out (Marseille back in the early '90s). I really hope they do. It will make the pain of having Juve in Serie B a little more bearable.

Oh, and congrats to Inter for finally being able to "win" the scudetto.

[Fighter of Foo]

Comprehensive Summary of the Italy Investigation:

Very informative read

http://blogs.foxsports.com/BobbyMcMahon/2006/07/26/The_Italian_Scandal_can_we_debate_the_facts_as_best_we_can_please2

[Jonathan Ezarik]

That's a pretty good summary.

How does Franco Carraro, ex-FA head, get off with only a 80,000 euro fine?

[Critch]

Manchester United have signed Michael Carrick from Spurs for 17mil pounds, according to Setanta.

Seems like a lot of cash for a defensive midfielder who can't tackle :) Serious downgrade from the Vieira or Gattuso rumors.

[SirFozzie]

Some good news for MLS fans, apparently Fox Soccer Channel has finally agreed to a deal with MLS, so starting this weekend, you will see a MLS game of the week on FSC again.

[MIJB#19]

Now official, Ruud van Nistelrooij from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

I suppose that means Raul is going back to midfield duties then.

[Critch]

Some good news for MLS fans, apparently Fox Soccer Channel has finally agreed to a deal with MLS, so starting this weekend, you will see a MLS game of the week on FSC again.

Good news, something worth watching on FSC again. SoccerTV lists Kansas City v New England on FSC this saturday evening.

[GrantDawg]

Some good news for MLS fans, apparently Fox Soccer Channel has finally agreed to a deal with MLS, so starting this weekend, you will see a MLS game of the week on FSC again.


Be great if I didn't have to pay an extra $10 a month for it. As it is, not great news.

[SirFozzie]

Oh.. DirecTV has it and GolTV for free as part of the Sports Pack

[GrantDawg]

Oh.. DirecTV has it and GolTV for free as part of the Sports Pack

Comcast has it as part of their "sports pack" too, but it would have been the only channel worth watching on the whole deal, and it is an extra $10 a month. Not worth it.

[ISiddiqui]

Now official, Ruud van Nistelrooij from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

I suppose that means Raul is going back to midfield duties then.

For a nice 15 mil Euro. First step to paying back that 660 mil pounds they owe ;).

[ISiddiqui]

Comcast has it as part of their "sports pack" too, but it would have been the only channel worth watching on the whole deal, and it is an extra $10 a month. Not worth it.

$10 a month? Wow... I can't believe it is that different in Covington. It's $5/month in Roswell and the Sports Pack has FSC, GolTV, FS Atlantic, Central, and Pacific, plus a few others around here.

[Critch]

For a nice 15 mil Euro. First step to paying back that 660 mil pounds they owe ;).

Not if they turn around and spend 25mil Euro on Carrick :)

[ISiddiqui]

Not if they turn around and spend 25mil Euro on Carrick :)
Yeah, I just saw that post of yours! :eek:

What in the WORLD are ManU thinking?! 17 mil pounds is more than Owen's price last year wasn't it? Now, Owen's been injured all over the place afterwards (couldn't have predicted that, really), but its utter insanity to think Carrick was bought for more than Owen was!

[tanglewood]

No word on the fee yet for Ruud. Infact, Man Utd haven't even confirmed it yet and Nistelrooy's agent is not speaking to the media about it. The only confirmation so far of any kind is that it has been put up on the Real website. And all this considering just yesterday Ferguson said that even though Real had marginally improved their offer, they were still well off their valuation and nothing had changed. So, colour me skeptical at this point.

Also I can't find anything anywhere on the Carrick thing, although Man U are definitley interested in him and had made a bid before of £10m which was turned down.

Fwiw, Owen went to Real Madrid for £12m and left for Newcastle for £18m.

[Mac Howard]

My understanding is that the real sticking point was Madrid's wish to pay the fee over time with appearance fees etc defining the final price whereas Utd wanted cash up front. Assuming that's what they have then I suspect that this will now bring on the Carrick deal.

[Critch]

Also I can't find anything anywhere on the Carrick thing, although Man U are definitley interested in him and had made a bid before of £10m which was turned down.

It's on the front page of the Setanta website, they're claiming it as an exclusive. They're the only ones reporting it at the moment, but they do carry MUTV so it should be from a good source.

[Ryan S]

No word on the fee yet for Ruud. Infact, Man Utd haven't even confirmed it yet and Nistelrooy's agent is not speaking to the media about it. The only confirmation so far of any kind is that it has been put up on the Real website. And all this considering just yesterday Ferguson said that even though Real had marginally improved their offer, they were still well off their valuation and nothing had changed. So, colour me skeptical at this point.

According to the Man Utd website:

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been given the go-ahead to undergo a medical with Real Madrid.

This means that the money issue has obviously been resolved. If Man Utd had not settled a fee there is no way they would let the player undertake a medical with another club.

[Mac Howard]

Also I can't find anything anywhere on the Carrick thing, although Man U are definitley interested in him and had made a bid before of £10m which was turned down.
It's beginning to appear all over the place now. Here's The Independant. It's not usually given over to wild rumour:

The Carrick transfer was concluded in the small hours of yesterday morning and the 25-year-old was understood to be in Manchester yesterday with the likelihood he will be announced as a United player today.

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premiership/article1201257.ece

[Crapshoot]

Btw,
am I the only one who's a big fan of the Guardian's coverage of ... well.. every sport ? i love their minute by minute cricket and football stuff - and even their rumors are amusing.

[BreizhManu]

but its utter insanity to think Carrick was bought for more than Owen was!

IMO there much more good strikers than good defensive midfielders so it seems normal to pay more for that kind of players.

But true, the real insanity is to consider Carrick a top notch DM.

[condors]

I sure hope Saha can stay healthy, i don't have a problem with Carrick he isn't Keane, but i like him as a player.

[ISiddiqui]

IMO there much more good strikers than good defensive midfielders so it seems normal to pay more for that kind of players.

But true, the real insanity is to consider Carrick a top notch DM.

Indeed... we are not talking about Makalele or Gattuso here. Carrick isn't even a holding midfielder. He's a deep lying playmaker.

[Critch]

More good news on the televised soccer front. GolTV has picked up some German soccer, starting with the Liga Pokal tomorrow morning. Hamburg v Hertha at 9.30 then Shalke v Leverkusen at 12-ish.

It's like the start of the season for me, even if the Liga Pokal is a fairly laidback, unimportant compitition.

[cthomer5000]

I'm sure Liverpool fans are pumped about that Champions League qualifying draw....

[Celeval]

Comcast has it as part of their "sports pack" too, but it would have been the only channel worth watching on the whole deal, and it is an extra $10 a month. Not worth it.

Seriously? Their sports pack includes CSTV where we are, which carries a lot of college football games both live and repeat, iirc.

[daedalus]

So, uhhh, Carrick and Pennant went for how much? Yikes. AND gadzooks. No wonder we can't afford any Englishmen on our club. 10 large for Mr Davies? Hey, no thanks. That said, I think Carrick is a very good player who will be in a great situation -- and I think ManU are looking better day-by-day -- and Pennant has the ability to be one. But the very idea of Pennant, Bellamy and Fowler on the same squad makes me giggle. Like a schoolgirl.

On the other hand, dagnabbit, it'd be nice to see us come up with a solid 23-25 year central defender -- seriously, I'd dig us taking a flyer on Onyewu -- who has had some first team experience so I don't have to tear my hair out with the concept of "Central Defender, Pascal Cygan". I mean, y'all cannot possibly imagine how much the concept of the Cybot wearing #6 in these friendlies gives us ulcers. Or gas. More ulcer than gas, though. Mostly.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

So UEFA has postponed any decision on Milan and allowed them a provisional place in the third qualifying stage. With the decision to come down 2 Aug and the third stage starting that next week, if they do kick Milan out (not holding my breath), what's going to happen? Does UEFA pull in someone else to qualify, or does Milan's opponent get an automatic pass?

[Ryan S]

So UEFA has postponed any decision on Milan and allowed them a provisional place in the third qualifying stage. With the decision to come down 2 Aug and the third stage starting that next week, if they do kick Milan out (not holding my breath), what's going to happen? Does UEFA pull in someone else to qualify, or does Milan's opponent get an automatic pass?

I would think that Milan's opponents will get a free pass into the Champion's League if they decide to kick Milan out, but I doubt Milan are going to be removed from the competition.

[GrantDawg]

Seriously? Their sports pack includes CSTV where we are, which carries a lot of college football games both live and repeat, iirc.


None that really cared that much about. I had it for over a year, and only watched the soccer channels. It just wasn't worth it.

[ice4277]

More good news on the televised soccer front. GolTV has picked up some German soccer, starting with the Liga Pokal tomorrow morning. Hamburg v Hertha at 9.30 then Shalke v Leverkusen at 12-ish.

It's like the start of the season for me, even if the Liga Pokal is a fairly laidback, unimportant compitition.

That was the longest round of penalties EVER.

[MIJB#19]

I would think that Milan's opponents will get a free pass into the Champion's League if they decide to kick Milan out, but I doubt Milan are going to be removed from the competition.
UEFA has to withdraw's Italy's apporval of ACMilan in the Champions' League, if they want to keep their credibility (like they still have that :D). They kicked Dynamo Kiyv out for one ref bribing attempt (albeit being in the CL itself). Milan has been found guilty of bribing their place in the league. Olympique Marseille was denied access.

It's a really bad sign to the soccer world if teams who fix games to get into European competitions are not punished for it.

[Critch]

That was the longest round of penalties EVER.

So long that my tivo stopped recording before they finished.

[ISiddiqui]

That was the longest round of penalties EVER.

None of the GKs will be confused with Jens Lehmann ;).