The Death of Goal-Line Technology
Not surprisingly, FIFA poured a healthy dose of irrationality on the debate concerning the use of goal-line technology. It is as if Sepp and his honchos are intent on leaving soccer in the Stone Age. How else can the garbage that spews forth from them about “universality” and not wanting to take one of the most important decisions away from the ref be taken seriously? Every other major sport has embraced technology when it comes to getting crucial decisions right. Why is it that soccer thinks it does not owe its fans this little bit of credibility?
Only in Africa
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) suspended their Chief Executive, Henrietta Rushwaya. She allegedly sanctioned a trip to Malaysia where former Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League champion Monomotapa posed as the Zimbabwean national football team (kits and all) in a friendly against Malaysia. If the allegations are true, I find it hard to believe that members of ZIFA’s governing board were not aware of the deception, especially since Monomotapa apparently was a no show for a league match against Highway during their controversial trip abroad.
Lost in Translation
In one of the quotes of the week, a Flamengo club executive stated the following:
“To say that Adriano has a drug problem is a tremendous absurdity. Alcohol is a drug, but it’s different.”
If Adriano overindulges on libations and misses team training sessions, as has been rumored, he definitely needs help. Time to stop trying to differentiate between alcohol and hard drugs. Substance abuse is substance abuse.
Trip of a Lifetime
Four South Side Chicago teens have been chosen to travel to South Africa to perform the Diski, the official dance of the FIFA 2010 World Cup. The lucky foursome was rewarded for the efforts of their ballet troupe, the Joffrey Ballet, in promoting the World Cup in Chicago. The troupe performed the South African dance, which bases its choreography on soccer moves, at a Chicago Fire game.
When The Dust Settles, Who Will Be Left Standing?
With ten or fewer games remaining in most major European leagues, it appears the title races will go down to the wire. In La Liga, Real Madrid and Barcelona are tied on points and are separated by two goals on goal differential. In Serie A, Inter Milan and AC Milan are one point apart, with Inter barely retaining its mid-season lead. In the Bundesliga, three points separate Bayern, Shalke 04 and Bayern Leverkusen at the top of the table. In Ligue 1, just two points separate Bordeaux, Montpellier and Auxerre, although Bordeaux is at the top of the table with a game in hand. In the Premiership, two points separate Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, although Chelsea have a game in hand. I can’t remember the last time things were this competitive at such a late stage of the season. It looks like there will be plenty of drama as we move towards the end of the season.
