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Mike_P

Legendary Member
Location
Harrogate
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Beebo

Firm and Fruity
Location
Hexleybeef

VAR have no excuses.
Some of the off the ball fouls should have been referred.
 

No Ta Doctor

Veteran
Ruined as a spectacle for the neutrals but what else would you expect Paraguay to do? If they go toe to toe and try to attack, MMMBop would be breaking Fontaine's record.

There was an incident in the first half where Barcola swung at a Paraguay player but pulled back and made no contact. The Paraguay player went down as if he needed life support. The ref appeared to give Barcola a yellow but I assume this was rescinded as Barcola looked like he got another yellow later but wasn't sent off.

This was one of those game where I wanted both teams to be knocked out. Paraguay because they were dirty cheating [illegitimate children] and France because they are french.

Paraguay did as I expected them to, but even more so. They were very lucky not to get several red cards. And if you're relying on the generosity of the referee to be able to finish the match with 11 players then you don't have a strong strategy going into the game.

I don't expect teams to go toe-to-toe with France (though Cabo Verde played their match against Argentina with courage like that and were very close to winning it), but I don't expect constant off the ball and on the ball fouling and provocation.

I like France, I like watching them play, I don't want them out unless they play us.
 

katiewlx

Senior Member
How are FIFA going to stop it? They aren't the local police, and have no police powers.

not the fans partying outside bit, but why would FIFA prevent two teams booking into the same hotel ? for sure its not directly comparable, but in the TdF lots of teams end up sharing hotels just because its logistically easier
 

Vapin' Joe

Formerly known as Smokin Joe
not the fans partying outside bit, but why would FIFA prevent two teams booking into the same hotel ? for sure its not directly comparable, but in the TdF lots of teams end up sharing hotels just because its logistically easier

FIFA wouldn't care how many teams booked into a hotel, but the teams themselves book exclusive use.
 

No Ta Doctor

Veteran
not the fans partying outside bit, but why would FIFA prevent two teams booking into the same hotel ? for sure its not directly comparable, but in the TdF lots of teams end up sharing hotels just because its logistically easier

In the TdF there are 23 teams, often descending on a fairly small town, with a massive entourage of press & media & fans following them. The hotels are actually booked by ASO to try and ensure fairness (they're graded and everyone gets a turn in the better and worse hotels I believe). It's fairly common for a town not to have anything like 23 hotels of the size/quality required. That's a far cry from two teams staying in the same major city.

I know that doesn't answer why FIFA wouldn't allow it (I don't think they'd have any say tbh), but TdF teams share because they have to, not because they want to.

They often stay in the same hotels at altitude camps as well - because top hotels on the top of top mountains are fairly rare.

Anyway, if the team aren't prepared for this (noise cancelling earbuds, white noise etc) then someone isn't doing their job
 

Alex321

Guru
Location
South Wales
not the fans partying outside bit, but why would FIFA prevent two teams booking into the same hotel ? for sure its not directly comparable, but in the TdF lots of teams end up sharing hotels just because its logistically easier

Sorry, I thoughht you were talking about teh fans.

And you suggested that "surely FIFA wouldn't allow it", while now you are saying why wouldn't they?

I'm not sure whether FIFA would actually ban it, but the teams themselves will always want to book the whole hotel for exclusive use. There are a lot more people involved in and around an international football team than a cycling stage race team, with squads of 35 plus various others, against squads of 9, with a similar proportion of others.

And they don't want other teams being able to listen in or disrupt anything, nor any other outsiders.
 

midlandsgrimpeur

Über Member
For the first time ever, I think I actually agree with Trump.

It was an extremely harsh red card, that should never have been given.

Regardless of whether it was or wasn't a red, you can't have a govt. pressuring a sporting body to reverse a decision to favour its own participants (as is alleged to have happened). The US FA didn't even lodge an appeal as they accepted the rules that the card could not be overturned and according to reports The White House called FIFA directly which makes a complete joke of the rules if that is the case.
 

Alex321

Guru
Location
South Wales
Regardless of whether it was or wasn't a red, you can't have a govt. pressuring a sporting body to reverse a decision to favour its own participants (as is alleged to have happened). The US FA didn't even lodge an appeal as they accepted the rules that the card could not be overturned and according to reports The White House called FIFA directly which makes a complete joke of the rules if that is the case.

Agreed. The red card was wrong, but if it was suspended because of pressure from eth White House, that is even more wrong.
 
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