Football

Isn't it the opposite of when the last king died? Football continued but everything else postponed back then?

Given the amount of needy self absorbed idiots on Twitter bleating on… I think they’ve done what they feel is the right thing…

Yeh? I haven’t looked at what was done last time round.

Pretty absurd the FA also cancelled grassroots and kids football.

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I had a work related event lined up in a Council run park for today, they emailed yesterday 'strongly recommending' we cancel, so I did that as politically I didn't want fallout, felt damned either way though. Parkrun went ahead in the same park this morning, so maybe I made the wrong call.

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I’m in Germany at the moment. And right this minute, watching the pick of the Saturday afternoon Bundesliga 1 matches (München vs Stuttgart - soft penalty for Stuggy on 91mins to make it 2-2).

Attendances in the Bundesliga are huge despite the matches being on TV.

It’s ridiculous and antiquated that we still have the Blackout rule on Premier League (or Championship, 1st… division) Saturday 3pm kick-offs.

The scrapping of it was supposed to be discussed before this season kicked off, but I never saw anything beyond an article back in April.

It's not to protect the top league though, premier league would be fine with or without the blackout. Missing out on fans on the ground because people are in the pub watching the premier league would be a killer for the lower leagues.

Lovey volley kisses the bar too.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2022/sep/10/cerezo-osaka-player-scores-wonder-volley-j-league-video

Keeper a bit suspect there, imho ;)

This. It’s all about encouraging attendance to lower/non league footy.

It’s ridiculous and antiquated that we still have the Blackout rule on Premier League (or Championship, 1st… division) Saturday 3pm kick-offs.

In the UK it's not just a blackout of English/Scottish football, it's for any football (during specific date ranges that mean it doesn't apply to big tournaments) between 2.45pm and 5.15pm. When a recent El Classico game kicked off at 5pm UK time Sky weren't able to show the first 15 minutes of it in the UK.

UEFA provide the choice to each member nation via Article 48: https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/about-uefa/administration/marketing/blocked-broadcasting-hours/

I think we overestimate how many people are attending lower league matches, purely because there’s nothing else to do on a Saturday afternoon.

Took Ayla to her first tots football class today. Poor thing.

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^ no black armbands available in her size unfortunately.

True but thevway he strikes the ball is just great

I don’t usually contribute to the football thread, but I’m gonna spoil you today…

https://youtu.be/MTjs59onomo

EFL is confirmed as on this week. Looking forward to a draw agains the blues.

I know a fair few who would sit in the pub all afternoon if there was a 3 0'clock kick off as well as early and late games. As it is they go to a match and then back to the pub.

There's also the impact on away crowds if you can watch it at home or in the pub rather than travelling. I go to a lot of away games but a match being on sky does make me think a little bit more about some of the longer trips.

Andy Holt, the Accy Stanley owner, has some strong views on the issue.

The other countries that televise a lot more games don't have 4.5 divisions of professional clubs.

I know a fair few who would sit in the pub all afternoon if there was a 3 0'clock kick off as well as early and late games. As it is they go to a match and then back to the pub.

Yep, watch early kick off at the pub, walk to the footy, shout a bit, have a burger or pie, back to the pub until the late kick off is finished. Also know mates who are fans of premier league teams who will take their kids to watch local matches and otherwise would just sit and watch sky all afternoon.

Went to Olympiacos vs. NFC Volos yesterday. €15 for a ticket, €1.50 beers around the ground and a very relaxed atmosphere due to absence of away fans. The Olympiacos ultras were on good form regardless although the attendance was fairly sparse. I guess the local derbies and European games are what draw the crowds. Football was ok. Only let-down was lack of beers in the ground although the lads in the ultras section were filling their bags full before going in, presumably alongside all the flares they were setting off all game.

Sounds good what was the food like in the ground ? And any pics

So seven PL games on this weekend at least.

Clive gets his wishes and more time for Potter to sort out Chelsea squad. And maybe Klopp getting a bit lucky to sort out what is going on at Liverpool

So, Chelsea's new owner has brought some wonderful new ideas:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/sep/14/chelsea-todd-boehly-premier-league-north-v-south-all-star-match

Can't wait to get my new North/South half-half scarf.

Clearly the 'fit & proper' clause has a 'Clown' exemption.

Well, I'd be down with a bottom 4 relegation playoff. 17th/20th and 18th/19th - losers down, then winner stays up final.
North/South can get in the bin though. We have a Midlands here.