The Ali Dia Football/Soccer Thread

[Alextrax52]

The ultimate case of financial strife affecting a team's performance happened this year. Take a look at all the penalties Cypriot side Alki Larnaca had this season

1 On 17 May 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted three points by CFA because they failed to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[38] On 6 August 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted another three points by CFA because they failed again to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[39] On 8 November 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted six points by CFA because they failed for the third time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[40] On 2 December 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed to meet CFA's monthly financial criteria.[41] On 8 January 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted nine points by CFA because they failed to pay the referees' salaries in three of their home matches (deducted three points for each match).[42] On 15 January 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted three points by CFA because they failed again to pay the referees' salaries in two of their home matches.[43] On 31 January 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed for the fourth time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[44] On 5 February 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted nine points by CFA because they failed again to pay the referees' salaries in three of their home matches (deducted three points for each match).[45] On 6 March 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed for the fifth time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[46] On 9 April 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed for the sixth time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[47]

they also won 0 matches and got just 2 draws on the field too

Try as I might, I'm simply unable to tell what website, if any, you ripped that text from. If you would be so kind as to tell me, that would be good, as I am very curious.

Oh have I not mentioned it. It's on the wiki page for this year's Cyprus league page. Underneath the league table. Here you go

[roblo97]

The ultimate case of financial strife affecting a team's performance happened this year. Take a look at all the penalties Cypriot side Alki Larnaca had this season

1 On 17 May 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted three points by CFA because they failed to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[38] On 6 August 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted another three points by CFA because they failed again to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[39] On 8 November 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted six points by CFA because they failed for the third time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[40] On 2 December 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed to meet CFA's monthly financial criteria.[41] On 8 January 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted nine points by CFA because they failed to pay the referees' salaries in three of their home matches (deducted three points for each match).[42] On 15 January 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted three points by CFA because they failed again to pay the referees' salaries in two of their home matches.[43] On 31 January 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed for the fourth time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[44] On 5 February 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted nine points by CFA because they failed again to pay the referees' salaries in three of their home matches (deducted three points for each match).[45] On 6 March 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed for the fifth time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[46] On 9 April 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed for the sixth time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[47]

they also won 0 matches and got just 2 draws on the field too

Try as I might, I'm simply unable to tell what website, if any, you ripped that text from. If you would be so kind as to tell me, that would be good, as I am very curious.

Oh have I not mentioned it. It's on the wiki page for this year's Cyprus league page. Underneath the league table. Here you go

And I thought Portsmouth had it bad a few years back.

[David AGS]

Arsenal's drought finally broken. The FA Cup is ours!

#COYG

[RonDenisDeletraz]

The ultimate case of financial strife affecting a team's performance happened this year. Take a look at all the penalties Cypriot side Alki Larnaca had this season

1 On 17 May 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted three points by CFA because they failed to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[38] On 6 August 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted another three points by CFA because they failed again to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[39] On 8 November 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted six points by CFA because they failed for the third time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[40] On 2 December 2013, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed to meet CFA's monthly financial criteria.[41] On 8 January 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted nine points by CFA because they failed to pay the referees' salaries in three of their home matches (deducted three points for each match).[42] On 15 January 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted three points by CFA because they failed again to pay the referees' salaries in two of their home matches.[43] On 31 January 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed for the fourth time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[44] On 5 February 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted nine points by CFA because they failed again to pay the referees' salaries in three of their home matches (deducted three points for each match).[45] On 6 March 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed for the fifth time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[46] On 9 April 2014, Alki Larnaca were deducted two points by CFA because they failed for the sixth time to meet the financial criteria of UEFA.[47]

they also won 0 matches and got just 2 draws on the field too

Try as I might, I'm simply unable to tell what website, if any, you ripped that text from. If you would be so kind as to tell me, that would be good, as I am very curious.

Oh have I not mentioned it. It's on the wiki page for this year's Cyprus league page. Underneath the league table. Here you go

> citation tags
>

[Ataxia]

they also won 0 matches and got just 2 draws on the field too

Try as I might, I'm simply unable to tell what website, if any, you ripped that text from. If you would be so kind as to tell me, that would be good, as I am very curious.

Oh have I not mentioned it. It's on the wiki page for this year's Cyprus league page. Underneath the league table. Here you go

>citation tags
> [/quote]

Freezy's not the most adept at picking up on blatant sarcasm...

[Alextrax52]

>citation tags
>

Freezy's not the most adept at picking up on blatant sarcasm...

Thanks for pointing that out captain obvious

[FullMetalJack]

Freezy's not the most adept at picking up on blatant sarcasm...

Perhaps something like this will help?

[takagi_for_the_win]

Freezy's not the most adept at picking up on blatant sarcasm...

Perhaps something like this will help?

Isn't there a star-spangled sarcasm banner kicking around on here somewhere?

[Frentzen127]

So Atletico de Madrid won La Liga. All is good in the world.

[Ataxia]

Freezy's not the most adept at picking up on blatant sarcasm...

Thanks for pointing that out captain obvious

Captain, eh? You hear that guys? I got a promotion!

I'd like to thank Freeze-O-Kimi, first of all, for bringing a touch of joy to my heart! His unique brand of dry and witty humour never fails to make me laugh. I'd also like to thank everyone else here for standing by me through the tough times...I didn't think I was worthy of such a rank!

We will celebrate with this particular song.

[Frentzen127]

Freezy's not the most adept at picking up on blatant sarcasm...

Thanks for pointing that out captain obvious

Captain, eh? You hear that guys? I got a promotion!

I'd like to thank Freeze-O-Kimi, first of all, for bringing a touch of joy to my heart! His unique brand of dry and witty humour never fails to make me laugh. I'd also like to thank everyone else here for standing by me through the tough times...I didn't think I was worthy of such a rank!

We will celebrate with this particular song.

You may be Captain Obvious to him but you're General Sarcasm to me.

[DemocalypseNow]

Thanks for pointing that out captain obvious

Captain, eh? You hear that guys? I got a promotion!

I'd like to thank Freeze-O-Kimi, first of all, for bringing a touch of joy to my heart! His unique brand of dry and witty humour never fails to make me laugh. I'd also like to thank everyone else here for standing by me through the tough times...I didn't think I was worthy of such a rank!

We will celebrate with this particular song.

You may be Captain Obvious to him but you're General Sarcasm to me.

Why did he even point this out in the first place? It was fun to watch it all unfold. To me Ataxia is more like a...

[Alextrax52]

Freezy's not the most adept at picking up on blatant sarcasm...

Thanks for pointing that out captain obvious

Captain, eh? You hear that guys? I got a promotion!

I'd like to thank Freeze-O-Kimi, first of all, for bringing a touch of joy to my heart! His unique brand of dry and witty humour never fails to make me laugh. I'd also like to thank everyone else here for standing by me through the tough times...I didn't think I was worthy of such a rank!

We will celebrate with this particular song.

Your not trying to drag me into a bitter rivalry are you?

[shinji]

Your not trying to drag me into a bitter rivalry are you?

I guarantee you that that's exactly what he's trying to do. He's the Senna to your Prost, the Hunt to your Lauda, the Villeneuve to your Pironi, the Nakano to your Takagi.

[Ataxia]

Why did he even point this out in the first place? It was fun to watch it all unfold. To me Ataxia is more like a...

HIMYM gifs, eh? I guess that calls for some Corporal Punishment...IT DOESN'T TAKE NINE SEASONS TO TELL A STORY, MOSBY!

Your not trying to drag me into a bitter rivalry are you?

Bitter rivalry? But I don't brew beer...

[RonDenisDeletraz]

This whole coversation is funny and stupid at the same damn time

[David AGS]

Back to fooball/soccer (circle where applicable)

A great weekend for me, Arsenal winning the FA Cup. All the BS memes can now stop, and lets all bag Tottenham!

Also, delighted that my Serie A side Parma are back in Europe after 10 years, in that period, been relegated, promoted, gone through 10 or so managers etc etc.

A fantastic result, considering they finished ahead of AC Milan, Udinese, Lazio etc.

It was a dramatic final day, Parma secured 6th as 7th placed Torino missed an injury time penalty and ended up 2:2!

Bring on the Champions League now, then the WORLD CUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[roblo97]

Back to fooball/soccer (circle where applicable)

A great weekend for me, Arsenal winning the FA Cup. All the BS memes can now stop, and lets all bag Tottenham!

Hey, I'm a spurs fan!

[FMecha]

So, who is the Reject of the Season for major European football leagues?

[takagi_for_the_win]

...the Nakano to your Takagi.

You smell.

[UncreativeUsername37]

So, who is the Reject of the Season for major European football leagues?

<insert your favourite club>. <manager for the plurality of the season> made so many terrible decisions, particularly the signing of <player signed mid-season>, who wasn't even close to worth the <what they lost to get player> he was supposed to be. The losses against <backmarker team> and <backmarker team> were just embarrassing, and the <club that gave them their largest defeat of the season> game at <stadium> summed up all the problems with their <"continued" or "new", depending upon his being present from the start of the season> choice of <manager at the time>. <striker> had trouble getting anything on target after his <good/similarly poor> showing last season, <goalkeeper> never knew where to place himself, and <defender replaced mid-season> probably singlehandedly cost us <game where his performance his poor>, robbing us of three points <and losing us the title/and ultimately relegating us/not that it mattered with what a lacklustre season it was>. And I don't think I need to explain how the financial situation was completely mishandled. How we <did/did not> manage <position in league and/or place in international championship>, I'll never fully understand, even with that rant.

[tommykl]

So, who is the Reject of the Season for major European football leagues?

<insert your favourite club>. <manager for the plurality of the season> made so many terrible decisions, particularly the signing of <player signed mid-season>, who wasn't even close to worth the <what they lost to get player> he was supposed to be. The losses against <backmarker team> and <backmarker team> were just embarrassing, and the <club that gave them their largest defeat of the season> game at <stadium> summed up all the problems with their <"continued" or "new", depending upon his being present from the start of the season> choice of <manager at the time>. <striker> had trouble getting anything on target after his <good/similarly poor> showing last season, <goalkeeper> never knew where to place himself, and <defender replaced mid-season> probably singlehandedly cost us <game where his performance his poor>, robbing us of three points <and losing us the title/and ultimately relegating us/not that it mattered with what a lacklustre season it was>. And I don't think I need to explain how the financial situation was completely mishandled. How we <did/did not> manage <position in league and/or place in international championship>, I'll never fully understand, even with that rant.

Post of the year, right there.

Anyways, ROTY must be the Belgian play-off system, for not only being overly complicated, but also for allowing a club that ended the regular season 12 points behind to win the league and also creating a situation where the play-off match for the Europa League would not be played because one of the teams doesn't have the licence to play in Europe and is in fact the only team in the league not to have such a licence.

[takagi_for_the_win]

Tony Pulis should have got the United job just thought I'd throw it out there...

[Nessafox]

Anyways, ROTY must be the Belgian play-off system, for not only being overly complicated, but also for allowing a club that ended the regular season 12 points behind to win the league and also creating a situation where the play-off match for the Europa League would not be played because one of the teams doesn't have the licence to play in Europe and is in fact the only team in the league not to have such a licence.

I agree, the team that scored the most points should always be the champion, right? Not in Belgium! (Standard scored more points than Anderlecht in the main league and play-offs combined, still they end up behind Anderlecht because of the weirdness of the system) And the less i say about the play-off2 nonsense, the better. At least for once the play-off3 didn't produce any weird results.

[DemocalypseNow]

Addio Javier. Il Capitano per sempre...

[David AGS]

Yay, we have a Spurs fan here!

Hold the phone, Parma's hard earnt European Spot for 6th place is on hold, apparently they dont have a certain licence (or havent paid for it!). Thats Serie A for you, always something come up!

In terms of rejects, well, I gotta say Manchester United.

I know replacing a legendary manager isn't easy, but Im sure many people were minimum expecting a Champions League. But to not get into Europe at all is a sheer embarrassment for a club of there size, also considering they were defending champions.

[pasta_maldonado]

Yay, we have a Spurs fan here!

As a fellow Gooner, I have this to say:

What do we think of Tottenham?

[DemocalypseNow]

Hold the phone, Parma's hard earnt European Spot for 6th place is on hold, apparently they dont have a certain licence (or havent paid for it!). Thats Serie A for you, always something come up!

They have a great manager in Donadoni, but Ghirardi's reputation is so-so. He's known for being a little bit cheap and trying to squeeze the margins of all his deals. He likes the 'supermarket' method of buying cheap and selling cheap in volume to stack up to a decent profit. IIRC they have more co-ownerships than any other team in Italy. He tries to be efficient...and perhaps this time he was a little bit too efficient and fell foul of UEFA regulations for it.

As heartless as it may sound, I'd prefer to see the Granata in EL, assuming they can hang on to their key players. Immobile-Cerci is a formidable forward lineup, and with Gillet back from his ban hopefully they'll be more secure in front of goal compared with Padelli this year. They could do with a better CB partner for Glik as well, they never really replaced Ogbonna properly after he left for Juventus.

[roblo97]

Yay, we have a Spurs fan here!

As a fellow Gooner, I have this to say:

What do we think of Tottenham?

As a Spurs fan, I reserve the right to call Arsenal, Arseholes

[pasta_maldonado]

Yay, we have a Spurs fan here!

As a fellow Gooner, I have this to say:

What do we think of Tottenham?

As a Spurs fan, I reserve the right to call Arsenal, Arseholes

Does Arsenal finishing above spuds for the last 19 years make you bitter?

[Alextrax52]

Yay, we have a Spurs fan here!

As a fellow Gooner, I have this to say:

What do we think of Tottenham?

As a Spurs fan, I reserve the right to call Arsenal, Arseholes

How painful was it seeing Arsenal end their trophy drought?

[go_Rubens]

Yay, we have a Spurs fan here!

As a fellow Gooner, I have this to say:

What do we think of Tottenham?

This season, I was slightly bored by them.

[roblo97]

As a fellow Gooner, I have this to say:

What do we think of Tottenham?

As a Spurs fan, I reserve the right to call Arsenal, Arseholes

How painful was it seeing Arsenal end their trophy drought?

Very painful.

Does Arsenal finishing above spuds for the last 19 years make you bitter?

No because at least the mighty spurs beat Wigan 9-1. Not even the so called "Invincibles" could manage that

[go_Rubens]

Does Arsenal finishing above spuds for the last 19 years make you bitter?

No because at least the mighty spurs beat Wigan 9-1. Not even the so called "Invincibles" could manage that

Mighty?!



Well, Tottenham can at least be glad they beat Man United this year, but Tottenham have always been in my view the sign of midfielder quality. At least they have the capability to pull out something like this once in a while.

But quite honestly, I find Tottenham boring, hence why I don't support them much. Plus, I'm pro-Arsenal. Maybe it was just meant to be that way.

[David AGS]

Hold the phone, Parma's hard earnt European Spot for 6th place is on hold, apparently they dont have a certain licence (or havent paid for it!). Thats Serie A for you, always something come up!

They have a great manager in Donadoni, but Ghirardi's reputation is so-so. He's known for being a little bit cheap and trying to squeeze the margins of all his deals. He likes the 'supermarket' method of buying cheap and selling cheap in volume to stack up to a decent profit. IIRC they have more co-ownerships than any other team in Italy. He tries to be efficient...and perhaps this time he was a little bit too efficient and fell foul of UEFA regulations for it.

Yes, I agree with the size of the squad, something of 150+ players on the books. Have to remember Ghirardi not the most richest man in Italian football though. Hes still a young chap, and made his cash through his family business (I think!) He bought the club when no one wanted to so deserves a bit of credit on his side. I think a bit harsh for the Granata to be there instead. They went 17 games undefeated, and seen the likes of Parolo, and Paletta force their way to the national squad, and the rebirth of Fantonio too.

Whatever the case, they must build on this. The Don must stay, and they must keep of their stars. Molinaro has been good, does Schelotto stay, does Amauri stay, can they keep Parolo and Paletta etc etc. They would all demand or currently on huge wages.

[Nessafox]

Meanwhile in Belgium
I've explained you people before about the matricule system the Belgian football is using. I've already mentioned that Seraing, currently playing in 1st provincial has bought the matricule of Boussu Dour, playing in 2nd national. Now Boussu Dour on their hand will take over the matricule of Charleroi Fleurus, to play in 4th national. As i mentioned before Charleroi Fleurus has merged with FC Charleroi, but they will continue with the matricule of Seraing, in 1th provincial league. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Belgium at its finest.
Another club is planning on doing the same. 4th national side team Terjoden-Welle (which i suppose is going to merge with Dender) has sold their matricule to Crossing Schaerbeek. (their claim to fame is their recently demolished stadium, very famous in the urbex-scene) but this team is not the same as the original Crossing, who currently play somewhere in the lower provincial leagues, and have moved out of Schaerbeek somewhere in the eighties. It's a different team taking over the name and the cult of another team that actually still exists. And yes, Crossing is yet another team from Brussels.
I don't wish to sound Flamingant, but it's usually the teams in Brussels and Wallonia where these weird things tend to happen

[tommykl]

Meanwhile in Belgium
I've explained you people before about the matricule system the Belgian football is using. I've already mentioned that Seraing, currently playing in 1st provincial has bought the matricule of Boussu Dour, playing in 2nd national. Now Boussu Dour on their hand will take over the matricule of Charleroi Fleurus, to play in 4th national. As i mentioned before Charleroi Fleurus has merged with FC Charleroi, but they will continue with the matricule of Seraing, in 1th provincial league. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Belgium at its finest.
Another club is planning on doing the same. 4th national side team Terjoden-Welle (which i suppose is going to merge with Dender) has sold their matricule to Crossing Schaerbeek. (their claim to fame is their recently demolished stadium, very famous in the urbex-scene) but this team is not the same as the original Crossing, who currently play somewhere in the lower provincial leagues, and have moved out of Schaerbeek somewhere in the eighties. It's a different team taking over the name and the cult of another team that actually still exists. And yes, Crossing is yet another team from Brussels.
I don't wish to sound Flamingant, but it's usually the teams in Brussels and Wallonia where these weird things tend to happen

That's because all those teams are in relatively shite places And don't tell me you wouldn't see that sort of stuff in Antwerp

[David AGS]

Speaking of Belgian Football, (Ive touched on this before!)

More than likely, the best GK judged from the Belgian league will be Australia's No.1 in the World Cup. That is Matt Ryan, who is still only 23, but seems to have been around for ever, joining Club Brugge from our league.

Also, middle of last year I put a small wager on Belgium winning the World Cup. Hope they dont let me down!!!!!!!!!

Having an invested interest, I will defo be keeping an eye on them.

[DanielPT]

Speaking of the world cup, it seems that most European based players will be dragging themselves on the pitch. Again. That certainly opens up the competition and can throw one or two surprise teams in the mix but I think it is far from ideal. While I still enjoy club football, for me there is nothing like the World Cup. For the ambience surrounding it, the unique way it is played and the somewhat leveling of the playing field as the competition in itself is still somewhat above all the darkness brought by the excessive loads of corrupt money you can find in club football. I hope I am not alone on this...

[DemocalypseNow]

Panini World Cup sticker swap tiem!

We just received a shipment from Brazil yesterday and have some spares to swap with people! Here's my full list of current doubles, post yours and we can see if we can swap some!

Code: Select all

 44 - Dante (BRA)
 74 - Rodriguez (MEX)
107 - Eto'o (CAM) [x2]
117 - Sergio Busquets (ESP)
119 - Iniesta (ESP)
161 - Aranguiz (CHI)
184 - Colombia (shiny nation sticker)
188 - Zapata (COL)
196 - Cuadrado (COL)
221 - Mitroglou (GRE)
231 - Yaya Toure (CIV)
247 - Nagatomo (JAP)
270 - Diego Perez (URG)
302 - Johnson (ENG)
303 - Gary Cahill (ENG)
326 - De Rossi (ITA)
327 - Pirlo (ITA)
393 - Honduras (shiny nation sticker)
408 - Jerry Palacios (HON)
427 - Palacio (ARG)
558 - Diskerud (USA)