Arsenal News » 2009 » October » 11

Ten insane events from the weekend.

1: England blast ref and security (BBC)

England joined FIFA in 1905, and you’d think they would have got the hang of things by now.  But in case this helps guys: everything FIFA does is a shambles, aimed to make a profit for those in power (well over £100m from this world cup alone, with much of that lining the pockets of FIFA officials and their families).

Of course there is going to be rioting and stuff thrown on the pitch, because FIFA doesn’t take security seriously, any more than it takes racism seriously.  If you want to make a point, England, leave FIFA.  Cavorting with those like FIFA and UEFA who are known to do nothing to prevent such problems reduces the impact to zero of anything you subsequently say.

2: Scotland destroy the planet

Flying half way around the world to play a pointless friendly with your third team does not actually do anything for your environmental credentials.  Scotland’s FA must now be environmental enemy number one (as well as my enemy number one for their attempts to get Eduardo banned after the Celtic game.)   Japan v Scotland – oh come on guys.

3:  Loads of our players are going to be in South Africa this summer.

Which means we might well need to ensure that we have a complete second XI waiting to cover for all those who come back late and/or injured and/or suffering from the violence that is sadly endemic in parts of that country.

4: The FA has announced a new element in its anti-0besity campaign.

And appointed Mars as its official chocolate bar.  (I know that looks insane but it is actually true.  Of course it looks insane, its the FA, and its on their web site.)

5:  The Guardian makes the mistake of believing all it reads in the papers.

In the Said and Done column it makes great play of the fact that Peter Storrie of Portsmouth is claiming that he supported Al-Faraj’s bid from the kick off.   It then runs a piece from the Sunday Mirror in which Storrie is quoted as saying “I sealed [the] deal with Sulaiman Al Fahim”.    Thje Guardian’s conclusion is that Peter Storrie is a downright liar.

What the Guardian don’t seem to realise is that newspapers don’t always publish the truth.  I know guys, its a shocking thought, but one (or both) of those two stories was probably invented from start to end in the pub.

6:  The FA and the rest of the clan have still done nothing about Sir Alex F Word.

He “apologised” by saying that he actually meant that all refs are unfit.   But of course he is dealing with the EPL and FA who were bought by Manchester United years ago.

7:  The FA and Football League have still not sacked themselves…

…over the way they were hoodwinked by Leeds over who owns the club.  Meanwhile they are still doing a fit and proper persons test on Notts County – if only they can find a person listed by the owning company as being an owner.  “Every time we ask one of them, they say they’ve never heard of Notts County,” bleated an FA spokes-sheep.  (I made that quote up).

8: Theo got injured playing for England.

Apparently we are not supposed to mind because it “wasn’t serious”.   Bit like falling off a bench then.

9: Carlos Vela might just have got through another Mexican weekend

And without injury – and he scored.  Senderos got two playing against a village team in the mountains.  Cesc got one.  We’re still waiting for the inevitable dreadful injury news.  But at least Fran Merida is back home safe.

10: By this time next year the FIFA Destroy-your-players-cup will be over.

Trouble is all our players will be getting injuries playing in the European Championship.   But still, maybe Russia won’t be there, so Arshavin can get a proper long rest.

It was more peaceful 100 years ago – you can follow the adventures of Arsenal in 1909 day by day on www.blog.woolwicharsenal.co.uk

(c) Tony Attwood

“Making the Arsenal” by Tony Attwood will be published on October 30th, and will be available on line via this web site.