Top level football has become a very odd thing. The game has been taken out of it for sure. So, it's not a game, some people call it a business, but they're all rubbish at that, so it can't be a business. So what is football then? A show? A monopoly? A virtual world with real 'people?

I don't know, but it's crap whatever it is

The FT is reporting that Thaksin more than doubled his money in a little bit more than a year; not a bad piece of business at all.

Thaksin doubled his money. Are you sure you mean HIS money?

Totally agree with this article. I too couldn't believe the excited look on the newsreader's face (ITV News I think it was) - do these people really think this is GOOD for English football?

sky sports news was compulsive viewing not only for the way the little actual news coming in (and back to old trafford for the 17th time this half hour - any news on berbatov? Is it confirmed? - no but a blind has been shut and we have seen a secretery walking along a corridor" was enthusiastically reported, but the up to date man with phone in the studio claiming to be receiving texts from unhappy players around the country who were really unhappy that they're club wasn't signing superstars (presumably not any fringe forwards in the Manchester region). My main gripe though was the quite blatently obvious law breaking by Msn Utd. The rules regarding transfers are quite clear you cannot talk to a player contracted to another club without that clubs permission. Sky was constantly repeating that Tottenham had only given permission to speak to City, yet there was Dimitar shakin Fergues hand. Yet all gets forgiven with a Fraizer Campbell loan deal. The FA must investigate independently and punish properly or accept they have no control of the richest clubs.

You know the rules. They go like this:

The Big Four transgress any law regarding transfers, conduct, etc.

The FA response: "Er...a fine of £100,000...you...er...you won't do it again now, will you? You wont'?....Oh, that's lovely...erm...now...now don't do it again or...(points trembling finger)...we'll shout very loudly indeed. Yes, we'll...get really vexed..and..and irritable...yes....that's...that's right...."

A lower league club transgress any law regarding transfers, conduct, etc.

The FA response: "OH! P*SSANT LITTLE CLUB, EH? You wanna play TOUGH, eh? THINK you're the COCK OF THE F*CKING WALK, DO YER? WELL! Today's the day, my friends, because this is the FA YOU'RE DEALING WITH, not some TUPPENNY HA'PENNY BUNCHA MILQUETOASTS! How's about THIS, cockroaches - we're gonna FINE ya till yer BUM FALLS OFF and then, BECAUSE WE DON'T TOLERATE SCUM LIKE YOU DESTROYING THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, we're gonna deduct 30 POINTS OFF YA BEFORE THE START OF ThE SEASON, not just this forthcoming one, YOU SLIME, but FOR THE NEXT SEVEN SEASONS! HOW DO YA LIKE THEM APPLES! HA HA HA HA HA HA! Let that be A LESSON TO YA! 'Cause no one BUT NO ONE MESSES WITH THE FA AND GETS AWAY WITH IT! NO ONE!"