Morning all,
Some of you may remember a recent post of mine “Thank goodness Wenger is not English”
In that post I said that the FA made £2 – £3 million from England home games at Wembley and of course, some of our players are involved.
I also said that, that risked our players to injury which would make them illegible to play for us until they recover, well it seems that others must have read that post, in actual fact the story must have filtered through to the Barcelona President who has apparently come to the conclusion that football clubs from everywhere are allowing their players to be used in a money-making scheme to fund these associations on the back of domestic football clubs.
The Barcelona president has called for FIFA to pay the players wages while they are playing for their countries, which is only fair if they are raking in attendance money and shirt sponsorships and anything else that pays out, after all they have no transfers to pay for, or training costs to bring these players up to scratch do they?
Added to that, if a player should be injured, they have covered themselves with insurance, but that has as far as I, know not been confirmed.
I naturally thought that was a bit of a con but when I started to think about it, I started to understand why we have so many International friendlies which has always been a guise by the FA for players to get to know one another so they can challenge in competitions like the European Championships and the World Cup.
However, I’m sure that every game played means that the money is pocketed by the relevant Football Associations.
Players are being paid by their clubs so the FA has no need to pay them, just tell them that it’s an honour and that they are being showed on the big stage and everybody goes along with it.
Spain at this present time are the world champions and their team is made up of mostly Barcelona players, basically because they have a lot of top quality Spanish players and no doubt Barcelona’s president probably feels that when domestic football is suspended they earn bugger all and that the Spanish FA, if anything like our FA, earn millions and of course risk their top players suffering injury along the way.
Now there is talk about making the Premier League smaller, cutting it from twenty teams to fifteen and this is down to the players struggling to compete in so many games in one season.
Should that suggestion be introduced, it would no doubt make it easier to for more internationals to be arranged and of course, this would in turn earn the football associations even more money!
I don’t know if that is the idea behind suggested change but it certainly gives us food for thought doesn’t it?
Few bits and pieces to end with, Thierry Henry is back with his beloved club, he’s keeping fit in training with the squad and Daniel Boateng, the 19 year old right back come centre back has signed a contract extension. For those who don’t know him, he came on for Thomas Vermaelen in the last ten minutes of the Carling Cup match against Bolton….
Finally, Luke Freeman, our young striker has been loaned out and Stevenage are the lucky club. They have secured his services until the 8th of January 2012…..
It’s TGIF Guys and that means, tomorrow the team are back.
COYG’s
Written by Steve Palmer
Good read Steve.
Morning everyone, doesn’t the money that the FA make go back into “grass-roots” football? Thought coaching and facilities? I always thought the players were given a little something for their troubles while playing for their counties, maybe not! It wouldn’t surprise me!
I don’t know how I would feel about a 15 team league. The clubs will then lose out on the revenue of 5 home and 5 away games, which could make clubs like us even more less competitive in the transfer market!
Morning all, good post Steve…
I too thought the money gained from internationals went back into the FA but call me an old cynic, but I doubt all does…..
Don’t think its wise to reduce the sides in the PL either, certainly not if it means more internationals which mean nothing….
It’s not broken so the FA should not try and fix it, if anything needs to be done, surely it’s a break over Christmas?
Jenkinso is injured 😮
JD at RB, deep joy! Not….
Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs will be sidelined for up to five weeks after undergoing hernia surgery on Thursday.
Fellow full-back Carl Jenkinson is also set for a lay-off after suffering a stress fracture in his back.
But there was better news for the Gunners as midfielder Abou Diaby returned to training after a five-month absence following an ankle operation.
Meanwhile midfielder Jack Wilshere is off crutches for the first time since ankle surgery in September.
Manager Arsene Wenger also revealed striker Marouane Chamakh will be available for Saturday’s trip to Norwich but 18-year-old forward Ryo Miyaichi will be out for four to six weeks with an ankle sprain.
“We have had some bad news because we have lost two full-backs over the [international] break,” Wenger said.
“At first he [Gibbs] had an abdominal strain – certainly caused by the fact he had a hernia already.
Continue reading the main story Abou Diaby
Diaby has been out for four or five months so he will need some adaptation
Arsene Wenger
“When the strain was healed we discovered he had a hernia. We had a fear that could be behind it so we decided to do the surgery.”
Gibbs has been Wenger’s preferred option at left-back this season following Gael Clichy’s summer departure to Manchester City.
And 19-year-old Jenkinson has also forced his way into the first team since France defender Bacary Sagna broke his leg in October.
“Carl has a stress fracture in his back,” Wenger added. “We found a small stress fracture that we noticed at an early stage.
“If he continued to play it could have got worse and then he could be out for a long time. At the moment the specialist has decided to rest him.”
Wenger will be boosted by Diaby’s return, although he is unlikely to risk the 25-year-old this weekend.
Diaby has made 123 appearances since arriving from Auxerre in January 2006 but he has not featured in the Premier League this season.
“Diaby has been out for four or five months so he will need some adaptation,” Wenger said.
Fellow midfielder Wilshere is unlikely to return until the new year but the 19-year-old tweeted: “First day without crutches in a while! Feels so good!”
Arsenal have only won once away from home this season but they go to Carrow Road in search of their fifth straight Premier League victory.
So – Surely Wenger will have to buy a RB in Jan or move Kos over?
Good day guys and chicks.
Good write up Steve. And an eye pointer towards what happens with the money earned from international.
Its not a good idea to reduce the clubs from 20 to 15. From 20 to 18 its acceptabel since its 34 games a season and only two home games would be lost. But if internationals are introduced than its only a farce since players will play the same amount. If they play the same amount than they should play them with their clubs. Personally I would refuse to play for my national team. Fifa cannot stop me from playing because then I would take them to EU court on the basic human right of working and they cannot stop me from doing that.
Morning DG, I can’t see players refusing to play for their country, it has to be the greatest honour in sport, well, it should be….
AW has said he will rotate his squad for tomorrows trip to Norwich….
That always worries me…….
FB,so you will claim your right to work……maybe you can mow The Emirates pitch because there are no club games on during Interlull lol.
Rossel’s desire to reduce La Liga to 16 teams would leave 8 dates free for the extra matches he wants to play in an international league. Like the rest of the money men in football he is trying to earn cash from the far East . it’s all about the club not about helping the football associations .
What I intended to say was not that I would refuse. It was an example. But go back to around two years ago when Theo was with the under21, the national team and AFC. He did not get a rest and was injured a lot. So if he refused to lets say play for the under 21, the rule that UEFA can suspend him is a farce since they cannot force someone to play for his country. Stuart Pearce can moan and rage all he likes. But a quick look at the EU rules will surely put that to rest. And for one game its ok. But a longer ban will induce a court battle which Uefa and Fifa will loose.
Remember the Bentley situation, where he did not go to take part in the under 21 tournament? Why did not the FA pursue it?? The reason is simple………they knew that legally they were doing something unlawful.
Scott…….mowing down the Emirates pitch would be a VERY GREAT HONOUR. Seeing that I would be paid for the job and you will get the pleasure of paying to see it. lol
Agree 100% Potter. But a lucrative game in the far east will not result in an injury in the same manner as a league game does since the intensity will be different. And what do you prefer…..a game against Stoke Rugby FC or against a far eastern/american team who try to play football??
hi potter – thankfully our own FA have knocked back any suggestion of a reduction …
Good morning
Jenkinson and Gibbs will be out for a long time. It’s a (new) problem.
In all the countries, the target is in that sense: reduce the number of the clubs in his own competition. However, in my point of view, the CL and others questions, turn the indoor competitions unbalanced. Look for instance Spain. Now, only Real Madrid and Barcelona can fight for the title. Other teams, like A. Madrid, A. Bilbau, Valência, Real Sociedad, Corunha won the title at 15, 20 or 25 years ago, they haven’t now any chances to fight with the some guns of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Thus, La Liga, for the title, is reduce just in two teams. What is more interesting for those two teams? Have an indoor competition or has a european competition?
And also the level difference in quality, between those two teams and the others ones grow up in the last years. The same in Portugal, Scotland, Belgium, etc… In mostly of the countries they have now 2 or 3 important teams much stronger then the other ones. For those, it’s much more interesting have an European League then have an indoor league. And don’t forget the stong of the TV. Who is more interesting for them (and for the clubs…)? Has a Barcelona-Bayern, an Arsenal-R.Madrid or a Milan-F.C.Porto every week or broadcast a Barcelona-Almeria, Norwich-Arsenal or Milan-Catania?
When is Arsenal-Gotenborg – Ladies cup?
The reason why the Barcelona president wants to reduce our league to 15 teams is to allow for more boring Champions League games to be played. He’s suggesting that we could have 8 teams playing in this farce – with many games taking place on a Saturday. In reality this would mean the end of football as we know,or knew it.
We should be trying to get back to more 3pm kick-offs on a Saturday and playing less boring champions league group games .Orthe even worse Europa League ones.
The so called Champions League and Europa ones are what need reducing ,and not the successful and world wide popular Premier league one
Potter, not even the advent of a european super league would reduce the league since clubs like Arsenal will simply buy more players and have two squads.
Imagine having Squad A for european cups and another squad for the domestic cups. Imagine a season where the European league would have a 30 game fixture list. Then its obvious that knoockout cups would be introduced. Finally include a domestic fixture list. and that would mean that each club would play around 80 games a season.
That surely needs two squads of 24 players each with players going from one squad to another freely.
DG – trouble is Theo was so desperate to play for his country he was prepared to play for both, but it took its toll on his body, same with Jack, I think he would play for both but thankfully Wenger won that battle….
Not talking about a one off game Devil, He wants a mini league played out entirely over there. If there were less domestic games they could compress the season and play a 5 team tournament.I heard about this a year ago from friends who live near Barcelona, it came up when he was taking over from Laporta.
ahhhhh. The rashness of youth………!!!!!!!!!
Tbh I would have done the same at 21. As it is, it is only now that I realise what putting my body on the line between 13 and 19 means now. And I cannot do anything to change it.
Hi JM and Adam2…
Exactly DG – Jack needs to be careful, and more importantly, AFC need to be careful with Jack, or he will end up being another ‘michael owen’ – play them young if they are good enough, but rest them too and often….
Afternoon all,
Steve, seeing as your on such good terms with Rosell see if you could arrange a swap deal, walcott for messi, much appreciated.
From what i understand the players do get a fee when they play for their country and being the very generous chaps / overpayed brats that they are its donated to a charity of their choice, I’m sure i remember hearing that’s what the england team do anyway, dunno about the others.
The only man with the god given right to stop a player playing for his country is alex ferguson, he saw to that with ryan giggs all his career, never let him play in friendlies, was always pulling out of internationals.
Everytime wenger thought i’ll have a bit of that, he was threatened with a heavy fine.
Tiffin time.
Hi Micko, enjoy tiffin and catch you later 🙂
I’m off for a while guys, back later….
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Wake up you lot……..
Afternoon Gooners…
Afternoon Rico.
Good post, as usual, SteveP.
Gibbs out, Jenkinson out, Sagna out,
Who said we didn’t need anymore defenders?????
So that’s Baines, Cahill and Vertonghen on the wish-list for January….
Lee, if your out there, hope everything is ok?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15787965.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15795584
Record loss for the Arabs of Manchester
Hello kev, rico’s taken mutley for a pedicure i think.
Hello Mick, how’s thing’s?
Your over for the Fulham game, yeah?
Not sure when i’m going again.
I’m quite busy up to Christmas, but i’ll try for Man City Carling Cup when i’m up in London next week…
Er, no i won’t, Man City, sold-out….
Its all good kev, if i would have used my noddle i would have taken in the dortmund game as well.
Got a bad feeling about citeh in the cup, i’d avoid it like the plague.
194 mill is just a drop in the ocean to the sheikh, just a bit of pocket money to him.
I’m ok AK, on the 16:14, I dropped the shoulder and had it away early mate….
There’s a chance my lad may give the Dortmund game a miss, so i’ll be in like Flynn.
Good news Lee. Don’t nod off.. 😉
Hope your be making the time up on monday lee.
TBH Mick, that’s why i wasn’t too fussed about getting the City tickets.
If we get thru i won’t be able to get a S/F or Final ticket…
I ain’t been lucky with tickets for our last two league cup finals, although it was probably a blessing in disguise, my season ticket went into the hat and never came out, its a bit of a myth that you get a day out at wembley if you make it to the final.
Evening guys……
Mick, that’s the biggest downside of the new stadium.
That old guarantee between the club and the fan, being that if you pay up front and get a season ticket, that you always got a cup final ticket, has gone.
You can bet your life that the Directors family ,friends and business partners are all ok for tickets.
And the touts….
Tbh Mick, getting blown out for tickets for Paris was the final straw for me.
I’ve seen plenty of cup finals, so i’ve been lucky.
Ticket prices for finals are a scandal.
They can all fcuk themselves.
I’d watch it in the pub…
Evening Rico…
Have you checked your in-box?
On a happier front it can’t be a bad thing having thierry around the squad for a little while.
laters, bring on norwich, lets be having ya ! over and out.
Hi AK, nah, just got in – will go check now….
Just wondering are we doing that financial fair play thing anytime soon? Or was that all talk?!
Wenger thinks it’s all a load of b****x now Esp….
Paul, it’s all down to the lawyers, and ManCity can probably hire better lawyers than FIFA/UEFA.
Don’t hold your breath…
Why has Wenger changed his tune on it?!
So we’re not doing it? Our self sustaining model is starting to look even sillier 🙁
I think because he has seen the huge loopholes Esp, just as AK says, those with money will get past it, money talks…..
we’ll soon see how it pans out, i’ll try find the bit from AW…
Tbh, i always felt that FFP was pie-in-the-sky.
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/2011-06-10/arsenals-greatest-ever-manager-herbert-chapman-arsene-wenger-or-george-graham
Dont look up at it AK…..or the pie in the sky might fall flat on your face. lol
How’s you mate???
Good evening guys and chicks.
FFP??? I always wished for it but now that I have seen the various loopholes that exist has left me very dissapointed, since as has been said…….money talks.
Hi DG..
I’m busy 😉 😉
Hi DG.
My lad has just told me that i can go to the Fulham game… 🙂
I’m offski.
Sorry DG, i feel a bit knackered.
Tell Pa there’s a letter on it’s way.
See ya’ll
Goody for you. Hope you see them win handsomely.
Seems as if we are after some jerries. TBH I would prefer having more germans in the team. A bit of steel will not go amiss. Hopefully no more slimy toads from the iberian peninsula. Or at least get those ones who do not have particular dna’s from their clubs.
If we become a jerry flavoured club the press will have a bigger field day against us. But heck. Who cares? Theya re already doing it.
cu all mates.
Rico, I sent you an email with what is hopefully a cracker in it. I know its too early for Christmas but my Christmas starts around October not in December.
Nighty AK, I know how you feel 🙁 Rest well…..
Thanks DG, next week the cracker will be pulled 😉
I hope we sign another German, especially if it means we stay away from the Spanish 😉
Take care habib. Good night and rest yourself well AK.
You off too DG?? If so, i’m following you out the house, its children in need night tonight here in the uk….
Not read the comments yet but thanks if anyone has said its alright, sorry i haven’t been, on been to a funeral today so not been here and thank you to rico as always.
Hi Steve, i’m sorry to hear that…. 🙁
You don’t need to be sorry for not being on here…… just going to eat, back in ten mins…
Boo…..
Ok, i’m offski – catch you all tomorrow……
Nighty night all, be good…..
New Post up