Park Life

Are you saying the clubs didn't break away from the Football League? Eh? And if anything the relationship between the clubs in the top flight and the FA was closer after 1992, since the FA Premier League even shared premises with the FA. So, how was the relationship different between the the clubs and the FA post-1992 and how did it constitute a breakaway from the FA? 'Do some research' doesn't constitute an explanation btw. Everything in Rico's brain can be stored on a floppy disk.

Michel Platini slams Premier League's plan By David Bond, Chief Sports Writer Last Updated: 12:47am GMT 09/02/2008 Michel Platini, the Uefa president, yesterday led an international chorus of disapproval of the Premier League's plans to go globall by ridiculing the proposal to play 10 extra matches a season overseas as a "joke". As world governing body Fifa announced the idea for the "international round" would be examined by their executive committee next month, Platini told The Daily Telegraph he believed it would never get the backing of the sport's international ruling bodies. Point made: Michel Platini opposes the Premier League scheme Although the Premier League insisted last night that the project required only the blessing of the Football Association and those federations eventually chosen to stage the fixtures, the opposition of Platini and Fifa president Sepp Blatter threatens to kill the scheme at birth. It has also placed the League on a fresh collision course with the Uefa president, who has repeatedly attacked the English game for putting money and commercial opportunities before sporting interests. "It's a strange and comical idea," the former France international said. "I was laughing. I laughed because it will never be received by Fifa, by the fans and by the national associations. It's a nonsense idea. It's like if I am president of Uefa and I put the house of Uefa in China. "It's ironic. Soon you will have in England no English presidents, you already have no English coach, you have no English players and maybe now you will have no clubs playing in England. It's a joke." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...9/sfnbon109.xml

Where is Oba?

Barcelona is another one of those 'failing clubs' I suppose. Muppet. Barca have never been taken over by their fans to regain 'local football' from the chairmen. Learn your history. Not the point I'm making is it? They are members and they elect the president every 3 years. If they don't like it he's out. Like to see them try that at ManU. The reason I use Barca numbnuts is cause they refused sponsorship on their shirts and in the end only let a charity on there. "Whereas most European soccer teams get huge sums of money for wearing a sponsor’s logo across the front of their shirts, FC Barcelona players wear the UNICEF symbol across their chests, much to Laporta’s pride. The club also donates 1.5 million euros per year to the foundation." If you don't understand something special and important about this I'm wasting my time with you. It's easy to be magnanimous when you have money pouring out your ears you sanctimonious prick, I'm talking about the fan converted clubs from chairman ownership to 'local football'. Barca is a complete irrelevance to that situation. Barca is a club essentially run by fans yes? And the membership (the fans) has a big say yes? The reason they have so much money is that they actually don't really need it....Their actual powebase IS the fans. 'Mythical local football culture'??? You don't think footie culture exist in Britain or Italy or Spain?? Strange.

Barcelona is another one of those 'failing clubs' I suppose. Muppet. Barca have never been taken over by their fans to regain 'local football' from the chairmen. Learn your history. Not the point I'm making is it? They are members and they elect the president every 3 years. If they don't like it he's out. Like to see them try that at ManU. The reason I use Barca numbnuts is cause they refused sponsorship on their shirts and in the end only let a charity on there. "Whereas most European soccer teams get huge sums of money for wearing a sponsor’s logo across the front of their shirts, FC Barcelona players wear the UNICEF symbol across their chests, much to Laporta’s pride. The club also donates 1.5 million euros per year to the foundation." If you don't understand something special and important about this I'm wasting my time with you.

Every single move now by governing bodies will be to protect the franchise of the 'bigger clubs'. Globalisation eh Parky? They won't take me alive mate.

Barcelona is another one of those 'failing clubs' I suppose. Muppet.

I love this rumour that the U.S. owners (can't remember if it's Liv or ManU) let it slip that they would use some of the profits/capital from the U.K business (the football club) to fund their ice hockey side in the U.S. Utter cunts really.

Every single move now by governing bodies will be to protect the franchise of the 'bigger clubs'.

Anyone doubting MA's level of trickery need look at nothing more than the return of KK.

All this reminds me of how America made sure they destroyed the internal German art market with a carefully constructed campaign to introduce Rauschenberg, Pollock and Warhol into old Europe. It is the case that football is intertwined with national identities and tribal loyalties, something which is an anathama to branding and big business. Seems far fetched I know. Liverpool and Man Utd are the front line atm in this project.

Is Football so different here these days. I've never been to a 4 hour game of football. I have, I've also been to an all day game of cricket, no difference IMO I wonder if cricket will take off in the U.S.? That wasn't the point, the point was that different sports attract different audiences. The danger for football fans is that the traditional fan is no longer the audience that is being persued. Well this has been the case already for a decade or so. Growing football as a brand for the world I will always support. But all brands have to have core identity or they destroy themselves.

Guaranteed. For burn out they'll figure something out like have bigger squads, more substitutions, or even a series of games over a longer period offshore. Lets face it flying 23 hours to Melbourne in cattle-class like we'd have to do will fuck you over, flying in luxury I would guess is a LOT less tiring. It's not our game anymore. Our local team is simply a cog in the machine that is the EPL, and money is the oil that makes it run. IF a club can make more money from playing "away" than it can at home, what do you think they'll do. I think you're miss reading the singularity that is football culture. Not sure where you're from but in the 'old world' blood ultimately will win over money.

Is Football so different here these days. I've never been to a 4 hour game of football. I have, I've also been to an all day game of cricket, no difference IMO I wonder if cricket will take off in the U.S.?

Shocking I know. To clear things up, Terry Mac doesn't coach. Not really. It's one of your trademarks You bitch!

Football is too graceful and complicated for Americans. If things aren't exploding or beefcakes aren't running into each other at 30mph they don't really think it's a sport. You really got to the essence of my point there. Well done. The point I'm making is that 'entertainment' is the main requirement (in these countries) which is a clear adjunct to your point IMO.

Shocking I know. To clear things up, Terry Mac doesn't coach.

Yes that a big change from his previous unlikable dishonest persona. Did I say he's changed? Sorry for the confusion. implies he is in a different state to a previous state, which seems more like change than staying the same '...to the point' is the qualifyier. ie He was like that but he is even more so like that. Good interview mind.

Football is too graceful and complicated for Americans. If things aren't exploding or beefcakes aren't running into each other at 30mph they don't really think it's a sport.

Marketing gawn mad.

Yes that a big change from his previous unlikable dishonest persona. Did I say he's changed? Sorry for the confusion.

Ken, are you one of us in disguise? Culina had a good game last night by the way. Nah mate. I is English, but am an adopted Southerner (London). I've been to Australia a few times though and know Sydney pretty well. I brought Jason Culina up as I believe he is the perfect man to replace the useless Nicky Butt. I watch the Dutch league with interest and he's done well for PSV. I know his contract is up this season so he'd cost nothing. I remember him from the World Cup also. His passing both long and short is second to none, and he protects the two centre halves well, he used to be an attacking player too so I think he's the perfect KK type player. As for Bresciano, I think he'd do well in the PL myself. IIRC Sven had him at Man City this season but his Italian club pulled the plug at the last minute because they couldn't get someone to replace him. Great freekicks, great eye for a pass, loves to get in the box. He has qualities that none of our current squad have. We missed out on Elano, so we should get straight in and get Bresciano imo. Direct replacement for Emre. Ken, I knew you were english from our various conversations but thought maybe you were living here, mind you after your quip at me over sacking Allardyce it's lucky you're not because I would of sent my mum 'round! Culina would be a great shout, especially on a free and as much as he's a twat I'd rather see us in for Cahill than Marco. I'd also like to know what the hell is going on with Troisi because the games I've seen him play (for Australia) he's been outstanding. The only problem I see with having to many Australians is the long and drawn out world cup qualifying process. I'd hate for two of our first choice midfielders to be knackers every game after an international round and I'd hate to see them not available for our country because they have club responsibilities. Would like to see more of Troisi.

Ken, are you one of us in disguise? Culina had a good game last night by the way. Nah mate. I is English, but am an adopted Southerner (London). I've been to Australia a few times though and know Sydney pretty well. I brought Jason Culina up as I believe he is the perfect man to replace the useless Nicky Butt. I watch the Dutch league with interest and he's done well for PSV. I know his contract is up this season so he'd cost nothing. I remember him from the World Cup also. His passing both long and short is second to none, and he protects the two centre halves well, he used to be an attacking player too so I think he's the perfect KK type player. As for Bresciano, I think he'd do well in the PL myself. IIRC Sven had him at Man City this season but his Italian club pulled the plug at the last minute because they couldn't get someone to replace him. Great freekicks, great eye for a pass, loves to get in the box. He has qualities that none of our current squad have. We missed out on Elano, so we should get straight in and get Bresciano imo. Direct replacement for Emre. Culina yes, Bresciano no.

He's now become honest and likeable to the point where he's getting a bit boring.