Football

Nice to watch full strength villa side annihilate Chelsea u23s 1-0 in the prestigious Al Wahda Challenge Cup earlier. First of many silverware for Emery.

First of many silverware for Emery.

Has he got to manage the under 23s as well? Most teams have a dedicated man for that job.

Nah. We were full first team. Chelsea had the kids out.

Robin Friday

Greatest footballer you never saw!

Who just got better the longer he stopped playing.

Is the best World Cup winner for minimal sportswashing France? Think of the four left they're the least helpful in terms of claiming that Qatar have put on 'the best tournament' with plenty online already claiming it, including Piers Morgan which is probably to be expected.

Reminds me, thought football players were banned from doing things like skiing purely because of the chances of something like this?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63928729

Thought that too - usually a contract clause barring them from doing 'dangerous sports'.

His club's insurers will be saying "Nein" to any kind of a payout to cover his wages until he's playing again.

Either he or the club (or a combination of both) will have to eat the difference I guess.

he's 36 so maybe a bit different and less of an issue, but if he was in the early stages of his career wouldn't his club's insurers also refuse to payout any future injury due to his leg now being 'weaker'

Dunno. Might also be a bit different for keepers I suppose.

I know that players have to get special permission to play even in charity/testimonial games.

Years ago a friend of a friend knew a PL player and tried to get him down to play 5-a-side as an Uber-ringer. He just said it was far too risky, any serious injury from some random twat taking things too seriously (or just unlucky) and he'd be sacked by his club for breach of contract and have no income.

stuff like that would suck, good on Neuer for doing something that may have been good for his mental health, I'm sure he'll be ok financially..

Mate used to play Sunday league in Manchester and two players in his team were Oldham youth team players. Both of them were forbidden by the club from playing anything other than academy football, but you know, kids.

1/2

1 Attachment

2/2

1 Attachment

I think you have to try and separate the actual football and potential winners to fifa and those in charge. Its not the people if Morocco who have pushed the sports washing why deny them joy? Or any of the teams left tbh

I'm swaying to Messi to get the win would be great to cap a wonderful career

I'd like Messi to win it and for there to be cameras on Ronaldo when he does.

Yay! It's Ally McCoist! No Lee Dixon...

wait, no, please no!

I know...why does he need to be on as well. Boooooo

I wish Maradona was alive to see this.

Tits

Well that sprang to life. Croatia really need a striker

Brilliant from messi

Messi is a menace