Re: The Football Chat Thread : Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:29 pm  

One for Cornish:

FA Response to Liverpool fan explaining why Evra wasn't charged:

Dear [GrkStav],

Thank you for contacting The Football Association.

As you are aware an Independent Regulatory Commission found a charge of misconduct against Luis Suarez proven and has subsequently released the full written reasons of the commission. Liverpool FC and Suarez have accepted the sanction therefore Suarez will be suspended for a period of eight matches. Suarez was also fined £40,000 and was warned as to his future conduct.

In relation to your email we feel it is important to highlight the following:

a. It was accepted by all parties (including Mr Suarez) that the phrase “concha de tu hermana” properly translates into English as “f*cking hell”, “f*ck me” or similar and is therefore deemed an exclamation not a direct insult.

b. The Commission found as a matter of fact that Evra did not use the term “South-American” in respect of Suarez;

c. Evra’s further comments (i.e. “say it to me again, I’m going to punch you”, “okay, now I think I’m going to punch you”) were made in the context of, and in reaction to, him being spoken to in racially insulting terms;

d. Accordingly, there was nothing in Evra’s language which breaches Rule E3 when assessed against the standards The FA applies to all incidents of on-field verbal exchanges between players.

e. Similarly, language alleged to have been used by Dirk Kuyt could – on one reading – be said to amount to a breach of Rule E3; but, as stated above, The FA exercises a common sense approach to incidents of verbal exchanges involving players as they are seen to berate and engage with each other in relatively strong terms on a regular basis.

f. The FA therefore considers that there is a clear and significant difference between Evra’s comments and Suarez’s repeated use of racially insulting language.

We do appreciate all of the feedback we receive from supporters. This feedback is collated and used to build a picture of public opinion and is subsequently fed back internally within the organisation. Please rest assured your comments will form part of this feedback process.

Kind regards,

Rebecca Budd | Customer Relations

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:23 pm  

Mark wrote:

Wayne Rooney in FIFA team of the year. Case closed.

Even you must be mystified as to how he got in the team of the year ahead of RvP and Mario Gomez. Saying that, another odd selection was Sergio Ramos; how was he in there over Thiago Silva?

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:46 pm  

Roddy B wrote:

Even you must be mystified as to how he got in the team of the year ahead of RvP and Mario Gomez. Saying that, another odd selection was Sergio Ramos; how was he in there over Thiago Silva?

The voting system is flawed. Rooney and Ramos will get many people's second and third votes. Didn't Capello have Rooney as one of his votes for best player in the world? The mind boggles.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:25 pm  

Roddy B wrote:

I'm sure Mark will be able to tell you a bit about him seen as he plays for Palermo. When I've seen him, he's looked quick with good ability, pretty sure he's left footed. Italy's one of those leagues where true pace isn't always appreciated, but he'd be a good fit in England for sure. Would like us to sign him, purely because he ticks a lot of the boxes of what I like, but I'm not sure if he's what the club are looking at. He's an outstanding prospect, but maybe they're looking for more of an immediate impact? Nobody really knows, but I'm always in favour of us signing young players. Where've you heard/read this?

He is left footed. He's young, pacey, clinical and a good finisher. I'd take him over de Jong or Bent. It would make sense us going in for him as we need a good, clinical striker to play alongside Suarez. He's Uruguayan aswell so him and Suarez should make a good partnership.

It was doing the rounds on RAWK last night, apparantley it had originated from Twitter. Some of the so called "ITK's" on there were also claiming last night that Junior Hoilett has all but signed.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:30 pm  

Mark wrote:

Wayne Rooney in FIFA team of the year. Case closed.

Baffling how he's in there over RvP.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:03 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

Given the top rate of tax in the UK is 50%, I can't see a flood of players suddenly deciding to leave La Liga for tax reasons based on a 4% difference. Especially not now HMRC are cracking down on EBTs, image rights and offshore payments.

What are the tax rates like in Italy?

None but a tough looking dude comes to collect a personal loan to the family each week

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:52 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

He is left footed. He's young, pacey, clinical and a good finisher. I'd take him over de Jong or Bent. It would make sense us going in for him as we need a good, clinical striker to play alongside Suarez. He's Uruguayan aswell so him and Suarez should make a good partnership.

It was doing the rounds on RAWK last night, apparantley it had originated from Twitter. Some of the so called "ITK's" on there were also claiming last night that Junior Hoilett has all but signed.

I wouldn't call him clinical just yet. He's quick and athletic, but the composure and end product isn't quite there. He's definitely better than what Ngog was when he was here, but, a but like Ngog, he isn't consistently doing it in the final third. If we could get Hernandez at a good price, he'd make an outstanding prospect in a position where we need one, but I don't think he'd make a massive immediate impact.

Dunno what to make of Hoilett, most reds are buzzing about the prospect of him. Can't say he's ever stood out when I've watched Blackburn, but most times I've seen Blackburn they've been on the back foot for most of the game.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:59 pm  

http://twitpic.com/85rljp http://twitpic.com/85rg3u

http://twitpic.com/85rljp http://twitpic.com/85rg3u

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:16 am  

It would be brilliant if Carroll went back to Newcastle. Still, I just can't see us letting him go whilst Suarez is banned unless we have a replacement on the verge of signing. Carroll's been woeful for us, I don't think any red would have a problem holding their hand up and admitting the club completely messed up on signing him. There were/are so many better players available, it's unbelievable to think what must have been going on at the club. £35m on a heap of lazy mediocrity with a first touch that makes Heskey look like Zidane. I don't see how things get better for Andy so moving him on makes too much sense, I just hope we don't keep the blind faith in a blatantly awful player.

Re: The Football Chat Thread : Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:23 am  

Talking of the great man, it's Emile Heskey's birthday today. I hope he doesn't miss his own party.