World Cup 2026

[Orwellian69]

It isn't Balogun's fault either and I hope he doesn't get a harsh reception from opposing fans, there's no evidence that he requested this.

 

[SparkleFur]

No, I think he was trying to have good sportsmanship.

I feel another F bomb coming on...

 

[Orwellian69]

No, I think he was trying to have good sportsmanship.

I feel another F bomb coming on...

*gets popcorn*

 

[SparkleFur]

Well, congrats to England on conquering the thin air of the Azteca!

 

[SparkleFur]

*gets popcorn*

MotherFUCKER.
*Ah. Ahem.*

 

[Orwellian69]

MotherFUCKER.
*Ah. Ahem.*

How rude.

 

[SparkleFur]

How rude.

I wasn't calling  you a motherfucker, dear.

 

[Orwellian69]

I wasn't calling  you a motherfucker, dear.

Well, that's ok then.

I've been called that and worse but people at least have the misfortune of getting to know me first!

 

[SparkleFur]

I gotta be honest, I used to look at Italy when Berlusconi was in charge and think, how embarrassing, really.

 

[Orwellian69]

Plus he owned AC Milan. Conflict of interest and then some.

 

[SparkleFur]

Well, that's ok then.

I've been called that and worse but people at least have the misfortune of getting to know me first!

Oh, my dear I'm so sorry to have given that impression. That was just a followup outburst. Next time I feel one coming on, I'll try to make that clear. Maybe if I put it in quotes.

(In one of my husband's early bands, a friend had these possible lyrics he'd written down on a piece of paper. Upon considering if they were any good, he actually said, Maybe if I put them in quotes... )

 

[SparkleFur]

Plus he owned AC Milan. Conflict of interest and then some.

And all those media companies, right?

 

[Orwellian69]

Oh, my dear I'm so sorry to have given that impression. That was just a followup outburst. Next time I feel one coming on, I'll try to make that clear. Maybe if I put it in quotes.

(In one of my husband's early bands, a friend had these possible lyrics he'd written down on a piece of paper. Upon considering if they were any good, he actually said, Maybe if I put them in quotes... )

All good, worry ye not.

 

[Orwellian69]

And all those media companies, right?

Yep. Dreadful man.

Some of his Milan teams were amazing though.

 

[jonnoback]

Love that and its true too

we dont need to cheat to stay in this cup

FIFA are in trumps pocket. Like the billions of dollars he’s stolen.

 

[jonnoback]

Yep. Dreadful man.

Some of his Milan teams were amazing though.

Bunga bunga was true

 

[F3x0r]

Bunga bunga was true

Dear god I'd forgotten about the Bunga bunga parties

 

[MuffandNonsense]

Plus he owned AC Milan. Conflict of interest and then some.

Plus Bernard Tapie at Marseille.
And the Indonesian gambling syndicate that "allegedly" fixed matches in England, Germany, Australia and elsewhere.
They "allegedly" went for goalkeepers in England, and the referees in Germany, and also paid people to switch off floodlights when matches had arrived at the score they had bet on.
The defence case used in England's match-fixing trial was borrowed word for word by South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje, namely forecasting the results of matches instead of fixing them.
In April 2000, Delhi Police intercepted phone conversations involving Cronje and Indian bookmakers, exposing a massive match-fixing conspiracy.
Cronje eventually confessed to accepting bribes and gifts to throw matches, leading to a lifelong ban from the sport before his death in a "mystery" 2002 plane crash.
Bruce Grobbelaar, John Fashanu and Hans Segers were all found not guilty in England's match-fixing case after two trials, but the stench lingers on.
Look around the world of sport and corruption is never far away. Look at tennis, snooker, horse racing, and the performance enhancing drugs used throughout endurance events.
In gambling terms, professional athletes are often entrapped by agreeing to take part in seemingly innocuous, trivial bets on the first throw-in during a football match. Then the demands grow bigger and before you know it the same players are agreeing to much more serious gambling-related issues.
As for Formula One, drivers in sight of the winning line being told to slow down to allow a team-mate to pass is the most glaringly obvious "fixing" of a sports event.

 

[SparkleFur]

Dear god I'd forgotten about the Bunga bunga parties

Omg, ew

 

[F3x0r]

Omg, ew

Yes, exactly although quite innocent now compared to,,,, lists

 

[F3x0r]

However
This is a world cup thread and not everything needs to be tainted

Look at these retro bois

 

[SparkleFur]

FIFA are in trumps pocket. Like the billions of dollars he’s stolen.

England: please take us back.....

 

[F3x0r]

And yes I still know every word of the John Barnes masterpiece

 

[SparkleFur]

However
This is a world cup thread and not everything needs to be tainted

Look at these retro bois

Nice....

 

[SparkleFur]

May The Beautiful Game burn brightly and purge all negativity, amen