Brian Homewood explains why the Brazilian authorities continue to be world leaders when it comes to bizarre decision making

During the FIFA International Board’s jaunt down to Rio de Janeiro for their annual meeting (it had originally been scheduled for Belfast but was moved to Rio “as a tribute to Dr João Havelange”), general secretary Sepp Blatter launched into a spiel in which he described his determination to stamp out violence on the field. He could not have chosen a more inappropriate venue for his speech.

Read more…

Cris Freddi looks back at the highs and lows of the European Championship. Guess which category England appear most in

1960: USSR 2, Yugoslavia 1 aet (Paris)
The Soviets were a little lucky to reach the last four, the Fascist government having withdrawn Spain from the quarter-final, but once there they were generally in charge, conceding only one goal in the two matches while wearing down the Czechs (3-0) and the skilful Yugoslavs, their big centre-forward Viktor Pondelnik scoring the winner in extra time. Yugoslavia consoled themselves by winning the Olympic title later that year. To no-one’s surprise, then or now, none of the British countries entered.
Player of the tournament: Lev Yashin, prominent in match reports and beaten only once by a deflection from his captain Igor Netto.
Cock-up of the tournament: Anything by the French defence. Leading 4-2 with a quarter of an hour to go in the semi-final with Yugoslavia, they concede three in three minutes.

Read more…

If ever a side spent longer at the top of a division and ended up being relegated in the same season, Millwall fans would like to hear about it. Paul Casella that other clubs may learn a few lesson's from his teams experience

Lesson One – Player Managers
Kenny Dalglish began the trend, and proved it could be done at the highest level, but all he had to do was follow the guidelines set out in the ‘Liverpool Way’ handbook.

Read more…

Ian Cusack explains how Newcastle fans feel about the on that got away

If, last August, someone had informed me that the season ahead would finish with Manchester United winning the double, that Sunderland would be First Division champions and that Newcastle would blow a 12-point lead in the Premiership then the only option available would have been to imbibe copious quantities of Hemlock. Yet a month on from the end of the season, my equilibrium has been restored and I’m eagerly anticipating the Charity Shield. I know this is no consolation really, but it is the first chance any of us has had to see Newcastle at Wembley since our plucky defeat by Tranmere Rovers, then in Division 4, at the 1988 Mercantile Credit bonanza. I didn’t think you’d remember it.

Read more…

Joyce Woolridge offers a view of the 1996 Championship race from an Old Trafford perspective

In 1994 there was a general expectation that the Premiership would go to Old Trafford. This year Manchester United fans with any sense have been asking themselves how on earth the team has ended up with one major trophy, let alone two.

Read more…