bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 18, 2022 19:58:09 GMT
WOW...WOW...WOW...WOW AND A FEW MORE WOW'S, WHAT A WORLD CUP FINAL THAT TURNED INTO IN THE END.
WORLD CUP FINAL - Sunday 18th December 2022.
Argentina 3 (Messi 23 pen, 108, Di Maria 36) France 3 Mbappe 80 pen, 81 & 118 pen) - AET
Argentina win 4-2 on penalties..Lionel Messi finally achieved his World Cup dream as Argentina won their third crown on penalties following one of the greatest finals in the tournament's history at Lusail Stadium. Argentina won the shootout 4-2 after a spectacular game which developed into the much-anticipated confrontation between the 35-year-old maestro Messi and his France opposite number Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick - the first in a Fifa World Cup final since 1966 - but still ended up on the losing side. Messi looked to be securing the one major honour missing from his glittering collection in comfort as Argentina cruised into a two-goal lead, only for an explosive intervention from Mbappe to turn a spectacular encounter on its head with two goals inside two mintutes late on. Messi had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute following Ousmane Dembele's foul on Angel di Maria. It made him the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single tournament. He then contributed a delicate touch within a magnificent counter-attack that ended with Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister setting up Di Maria for the second 13 minutes later. ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/490/cpsprodpb/1828A/production/_128045989_gettyimages-1245707503-1.jpgArgentina were untroubled until the closing stages, only for Mbappe to give France a lifeline from the penalty spot with nine minutes left - then restore equality with a magnificent volley moments later. Messi bundled Argentina back in front in extra time, but Mbappe completed his treble from the spot two minutes from the end of a frantic, chaotic added spell. And so it went to penalties, with the two greats opening the scoring. But Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved from Kingsley Coman, before Aurelian Tchouameni missed, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to win the World Cup. Messi, a World Cup winner at last, collapsed to his knees in the centre circle and was engulfed by jubilant Argentina team-mates. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/240/cpsprodpb/A900/production/_128046234_gettyimages-1450109417.jpgMessi stood at the pinnacle of his career as Argentina closed out time in the World Cup final, only for great rival Mbappe to threaten to knock him off and leave him in despair. Instead, this World Cup - which will now have Messi's name attached to it forever, along with a final that will rank alongside the greats - gave the iconic Argentine the conclusion he wanted. Messi was imperious for 80 minutes in his final World Cup game as Argentina exerted complete control over a strangely laboured France, scoring his penalty with ease before contributing crucially to a second goal which was a team creation of beauty finished off by Di Maria. And then came Mbappe. And then came France. In an atmosphere of disbelief among the massed ranks of Argentina fans who were starting to celebrate victory, Lionel Scaloni's team had to lift themselves once more from the double blow inflicted by Mbappe. Inevitably it was Messi who gave them hope again, showing he was happy to do the dirty work by turning home a scrambled finish in the box in the second period of extra time - only for Mbappe to answer again. But Argentina prevailed on penalties and Messi was the centre of attention when Montiel sent the decisive penalty past France keeper Hugo Lloris. Amid wild scenes of celebration, Messi fell to his knees in tears and raised his arms to the skies, before disappearing beneath a mountain of team-mates. Messi then took to the microphone to address Argentina's jubilant fans, his Holy Grail reached, another piece of evidence assembled in the argument that would have many declare him the game's greatest player. Mbappe the history-maker in defeat Mbappe cemented his status as one of the game's modern greats with only the second hat-trick in a World Cup final, following Sir Geoff Hurst's when England beat West Germany in 1966. But the 23-year-old still suffered the pain of defeat. Mbappe was as anonymous as most of his team for the first 80 minutes, ill-served amid an unfathomably poor France display - which they put in despite seeking to become the first side to retain the trophy since Brazil did so 60 years ago, and only the third ever after Italy won in 1934 and 1938. Manager Didier Deschamps even made two substitutions before half-time, replacing Olivier Giroud and Dembele with Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani. And yet it was Mbappe who revived France in those sensational seconds when they went from looking like timid losers to potential winners, then getting his third from the spot after Messi had put Argentina back in front. In a stunning period of extra time during which both sides exchanged chances, France could have won but for a superb last-gasp save by Martinez with his outstretched boot from Muani. Instead, Mbappe will find history no consolation as he was embraced by his team-mates and French President Emmanuel Macron at the end of this enthralling spectacle. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/FE8C/production/_128046156_p0dq3l56.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/63D2/production/_128045552_p0dq382c.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/13ADB/production/_128030608_45705071-e754-43e6-a8e5-4c425ed95826.jpgWELL DONE TO ARGENTINA AND MESSI, HARD LUCK TO THE FRENCH AND MBAPPE, TO SCORE A WORLD CUP FINAL HAT-TRICK AND LOSE...
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 18, 2022 20:04:25 GMT
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Post by lostinspace on Dec 18, 2022 22:30:46 GMT
I think France ended up with what they deserve...having not decided to create sweet FA for the best part of 80 minutes in a W C Final and then, get given a penalty and decide then we might get something out of this!! Now will think they were hard done by and should have won it,( they certainly could have with virtually the last kick of the game prior to the penalty shoot out ) ....still....all over and England will win the Euros next time around 😉
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 18, 2022 23:19:08 GMT
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 18, 2022 23:31:57 GMT
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eppinggas
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Post by eppinggas on Dec 19, 2022 9:03:40 GMT
I think France ended up with what they deserve...having not decided to create sweet FA for the best part of 80 minutes in a W C Final and then, get given a penalty and decide then we might get something out of this!! Now will think they were hard done by and should have won it,( they certainly could have with virtually the last kick of the game prior to the penalty shoot out ) ....still....all over and England will win the Euros next time around 😉 Fantastic game - well after the first 75 minutes anyway... I was watching it with a french chap in the pub and he was getting loads of good natured abuse. Have to say I almost ended up wanting France to win. Very dramatic end to a very good tournament. Just a shame where it was held. |
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Post by lostinspace on Dec 19, 2022 9:28:19 GMT
I think France ended up with what they deserve...having not decided to create sweet FA for the best part of 80 minutes in a W C Final and then, get given a penalty and decide then we might get something out of this!! Now will think they were hard done by and should have won it,( they certainly could have with virtually the last kick of the game prior to the penalty shoot out ) ....still....all over and England will win the Euros next time around 😉 Fantastic game - well after the first 75 minutes anyway... I was watching it with a french chap in the pub and he was getting loads of good natured abuse. Have to say I almost ended up wanting France to win. Very dramatic end to a very good tournament. Just a shame where it was held. Common sense prevailed in the end!! And exactly regards your end comment |
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 20, 2022 0:03:18 GMT
World Cup 2022: Argentina's victory over France watched by peak of 14.9m people on BBC One..
Argentina's victory over France in the World Cup final was watched by a peak of 14.9m people on BBC One.
With a TV audience share of 58%, the dramatic penalty shootout win was also streamed 7.1m times on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Online.
ITV, who also broadcast the Qatar final, saw a peak of 4.4m with a TV audience share of 17.8%.
BBC TV coverage had a total reach of 38.8m throughout the duration of the World Cup.
In addition, the tournament was streamed a record-breaking 104.7m times on BBC iPlayer and Sport Online.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 20, 2022 12:06:54 GMT
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 21, 2022 15:33:05 GMT
The 25 greatest players of all time have been named.. img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA15wOzU.img?w=768&h=959&m=6&x=101&y=818&s=623&d=85Meanwhile while commentating on the match, Alan Shearer admitted that an Argentina victory would see Messi eclipse Maradona. “Would it put an end to the debate of Maradona or Messi? We said if Messi wins the World Cup here, it might have to be him. That’s been the difference, that has been the splitting point. Maradona has won the World Cup." “If Messi were to win it here, my view would change.” After Messi and Argentina did lift the World Cup, Gary Lineker suggested the GOAT debate was over. “Is there still a debate? Asking for a goat,” he tweeted. |
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 22, 2022 0:07:14 GMT
Pele: Brazil great's cancer has advanced, says hospital..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/EA37/production/_128095995_pelebody_getty.jpgBrazil great Pele's cancer has advanced, according to the hospital where the 82-year-old is being treated. The three-time World Cup winner has been in hospital for just over three weeks. His daughter said on social media that he would spend Christmas in hospital. The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein said Pele "presents cancer disease progression and requires greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions". Pele had a tumour removed from his colon in September 2021 and has since had regular treatment. "Our Christmas at home has been suspended," wrote Pele's daughter, Kely Nascimento, on Instagram. "We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us." Just after he was admitted, the hospital in Sao Paulo had said Pele "had a good response to treatment for respiratory infection care" and added he was undergoing a "reassessment of chemotherapy treatment". Pele is his country's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games and helped his country win the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Brazil players paid tribute to Pele after their last-16 win over South Korea during the 2022 World Cup as they held up a banner with his name and picture.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 22, 2022 12:41:28 GMT
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 24, 2022 22:36:55 GMT
Emiliano Martinez: Argentine celebrations a 'stupid decision' says Patrick Vieira..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/4741/production/_128114281_whatsubject.jpgEmiliano Martinez's celebrations were "stupid" and dampened Argentina's World Cup victory, says Patrick Vieira who won the title with France in 1998. Martinez shone in the penalty shootout win over France in the final, but was panned for some of his actions, which included a rude gesture with the Golden Glove he was awarded as best keeper. He also repeatedly mocked France striker Kylian Mbappe. Villa manager Unai Emery plans to speak to Martinez about his celebrations. Vieira, who now manages Crystal Palace, said: "Some of the pictures I saw from the Argentinian goalkeeper, I think, take away a little bit what Argentina achieved at the World Cup. "I don't think they really needed that. "You can't control sometimes people's emotional decisions. But that was a stupid decision, I think, from Martinez to do that." Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in Qatar after a dramatic final had ended 3-3. In the dressing room after the game, Martinez called for a minute's silence for Mbappe, who had scored a hat-trick for France. He then engaged in further mockery during Argentina's victory parade in Buenos Aires, by holding up a doll depicting the striker. Villa boss Emery added: "When you have big emotion, sometimes it is difficult to control it. "I will speak to him next week about some celebrations but I respect that he is now under the national team and when he will be with us, he is our responsibility then we can speak about it. "We are so proud of him. He won the World Cup with his national team and it's amazing." On Thursday, Noel Le Graet, the president of the French football federation, told French news outlet Ouest-France he had written to his Argentine counterpart about the team's "abnormal" celebrations. Martinez's antics during the penalty shootout made headlines after the final, with his mind games unsettling the France players - as the goalkeeper saved from Kingsley Coman, and Aurelien Tchouameni missed. He has yet to return to Villa and will not be available for his side's game against Liverpool on 26 December when the Premier League resumes after the World Cup break. "He's coming back next week," Emery added. "I want him to rest now because after big emotion and hard work, he has to have some days off to rest then he'll come back to work with us." Gossip:Villa manager Unai Emery does not want to work with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 30, and is keen to offload the World Cup winner next month.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 24, 2022 22:39:44 GMT
Lionel Messi & Paris Saint-Germain reach 'agreement in principle' to renew contract - Guillem Balague..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/5E01/production/_128056042_gettyimages-1243652217.jpgArgentina captain Lionel Messi has reached an "agreement in principle" to renew his contract at Paris St-Germain, says BBC Sport's Guillem Balague. Messi, 35, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, is out of contract at the French club in June 2023. Earlier this week Barcelona president Joan Laporta said he "would love" Messi to return to the Spanish club where he spent 21 years. But Balague says Barca have not approached Messi about a return. He will sign a one-year deal with the option of another year and the agreement has come after four months of talks between PSG director of football Luis Campos and Messi's father Jorge. That was followed by a key meeting in Doha with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi. "It is practically all agreed with PSG," says European football expert Balague. "Barcelona have not approached him or his dad to offer anything. "So it is not that Messi does not want to return to Barcelona. He has not been asked the question. "Messi is happy with it all and when back from his holidays the agreement will speed up. "His life in Paris is balanced, happy, everybody is enjoying it and he has a real possibility of winning the Champions League again. Plus, it will help him be a candidate again for the Ballon d'Or." The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was named player of the tournament at the World Cup as Argentina won the title for the third time with a penalty shoot-out victory over France. After leaving Barcelona, Messi signed a two-year contract as a free agent, with the option of a third year, in 2021. He has made 53 appearances for the Ligue 1 side so far, scoring 23 goals in all competitions. The Argentine has now won one World Cup, four Champions League titles, one Copa America, 10 La Liga trophies with Barcelona and a Ligue 1 crown in France with PSG. Considered one of the greatest players of all time, he scored a record 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona, the club he joined as a 13-year-old. He ended his association with the Catalan club in 2021, when they could no longer afford to honour the new contract they agreed with him because of La Liga's salary limit.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 30, 2022 19:21:41 GMT
Marc Overmars: Ex-Arsenal winger in hospital after 'mild stroke'..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/C248/production/_128163794_gettyimages-453164914.jpgOvermars scored 41 goals in 142 appearances for Arsenal Royal Antwerp sporting director Marc Overmars has been admitted to hospital after suffering what his club called "a mild stroke". The 49-year-old former Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona winger became unwell on Thursday, the Belgian side said. Overmars joined Royal Antwerp earlier this year following a decade as director of football affairs at Ajax. "Marc is doing well in the meantime, but will have to take it easy for a while," an Antwerp statement said. It added that the Dutchman and his family would "focus on his recovery". As a player Overmars won three league titles and the Champions League with Ajax before moving to Arsenal in 1997, where he won a league and cup double before signing for Barcelona in 2000. Overmars' career was often interrupted by injury and he retired from playing in 2004. He resigned from his position at Ajax after admitting sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Jan 9, 2023 15:44:08 GMT
Breaking: Wales captain Gareth Bale retires from football aged 33..Wales captain Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from football at the age of 33 after a glittering career. The nation's most-capped men's player with 111 appearances announced his decision on social media. Bale, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, is arguably Wales' finest ever footballer. "After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football," Bale said. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love." Cardiff-born Bale's club career took him from Southampton to Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid before his move to Los Angeles. He was his country's talisman as they reached the 2016 and 2020 Euros before he led Wales at their first World Cup since 1958 at Qatar 2022. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/108FE/production/_125283876_hi076541147.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/7531/production/_126410003_gettyimages-1401206667.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/531F/production/_126797212_cdf_130622_ge_wales_football_press_conf_27.jpgWales went out of the tournament at the group stage, with their loss to England proving to be the final appearance of Bale's career. It was not a fitting end for a player who achieved extraordinary feats with club and country. "It (football) has truly given me some of the best moments of my life," added Bale. "The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me." Bale joined Southampton as a schoolboy and made his debut for the Saints as a 16-year-old in April 2006. His first senior cap followed a matter of weeks later, making Bale Wales' youngest international - although that record has since been broken. That marked the start of a Wales career in which Bale inspired his country to the best spell in their history. Having ended a 58-year wait for a major tournament appearance by qualifying for Euro 2016, Wales produced a sensational run to the semi-finals, only losing to eventual winners Portugal. They also made it to the knockout stages of the next European Championship before last summer's play-off final win over Ukraine saw Wales clinch their long-awaited return to the World Cup. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/124A2/production/_128241947_gettyimages-963682414.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1111A/production/_127541996_gettyimages-1244531321.jpg"My decision to retire from international football has been by far the hardest of my career," Bale said. "How do I describe what being a part of this country and team means to me? How do I articulate the impact it has had on my life? How do I put into words the way I felt every single time I put on that Welsh shirt? My answer is that I couldn't possibly do any of those things justice simply with words. "But I know that every person involved in Welsh football feels the magic and is impacted in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel without using any words at all. "My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am. The fortune of being Welsh and being selected to play for and captain Wales has given me something incomparable to anything else I've experienced. "I'm honoured and humbled to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the Red Wall and together have been to unexpected and amazing places. "I shared a dressing room with boys that became brothers and backroom stuff that became family. "I played for the most incredible managers and felt the undying support and love from the most dedicated fans in the world. Thank you to every one of you for being on this journey with me. "So for now I am stepping back but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins after all the dragon on my shirt is all I need."
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Post by lostinspace on Jan 9, 2023 17:43:03 GMT
A period of his career in Spain ( imo) was wasted with his attitude and apparent virtual non compliance towards learning Spanish he seemed to be just biding his time and taking the money
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Jan 18, 2023 14:44:54 GMT
Equal pay: Football Association of Wales agree landmark deal..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/10BF0/production/_128329586_walescontracts.pngWales internationals Jess Fishlock, Aaron Ramsey, Sophie Ingle and Brennan JohnsonWales' men's and women's senior players will be paid the same for representing their country for the first time. The Football Association of Wales [FAW] have agreed a deal that will see equal pay come into effect immediately. The Wales men's senior team have agreed to a 25% pay cut to enable a 25% rise for the women's team that will mean parity for representing Wales. "I am really happy about the equal pay, it is about equality," Wales boss Gemma Grainger explained. "Together Stronger has been the mantra across the Cymru national teams for us all, both on and off the pitch as we look to put Wales on the world stage," Wales' men's and women's teams said in a joint statement. "As part of the FAW's strive towards equality, we are now proud to announce that together, our men's and women's teams have agreed to an equal pay structure for future international matches. "We hope that this will allow future generations of boys and girls to see that there is equality across Welsh international football, which is important for society as a whole." Full report belowwww.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64299007
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Jan 18, 2023 22:21:00 GMT
VAR decisions to be explained to fans but temporary sub trial ruled out..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/F099/production/_128339516_var.jpgDecisions made by the Video Assistant Referee are set to be explained to television viewers and those in the stadium at next month's Club World Cup. International Football Association Board (Ifab) says if the trial in Morocco is a success then it could be rolled out at other Fifa competitions. That could include this summer's Women's World Cup. Meanwhile, a temporary concussion substitute trial in the Premier League next season has been ruled out. It was discussed when Ifab met at Wembley on Wednesday following a request from world players' union Fifpro and the World Leagues Forum to test the protocol in the English top flight, Ligue 1 in France and Major League Soccer in the United States. The current concussion protocols, which allow an additional permanent substitution to be made, have come in for criticism since they were approved in 2020, with campaigners highlighting instances where a player has been allowed to stay on the pitch before later being substituted. However, Football Association (FA) chief executive Mark Bullingham, who supported the idea of a trial, says no consensus could be reached and instead the current permanent concussion substitute trial will continue indefinitely. "Myself and others hold the view it would be worth trialling [temporary concussion substitutes] because we think there are instances of players who have appear to have been concussed and have not been taken off," said Bullingham. "The argument is that you learn more in 15 mins than three and there is merit in an evaluation away from the pitch. "However, the decision was taken to strengthen the application of the permanent model through more education, more evidence and more impetus, so that the idea of the right decisions being made becomes reality. "If permanent substitutes were done right, that is the safest option because at the point there is any suspicion, the player would come off." The Professional Footballers' Association's (PFA) Head of Brain Health, Dr Adam White, said it was "extremely disappointing" that a trial of temporary concussion substitutes was not approved. "There is a fundamental issue if player unions and leagues feel football's lawmakers are holding them back from doing what they collectively agree is best to protect the safety of players," said White. "The next step will be for unions and leagues to discuss what this means and what options are available to them." Global player's union Fifpro and World Leagues Forum, the association of professional football leagues, said in a joint statement they were "greatly disappointed" by the decision and would "further assess the situation" and "consider [their] options moving forward". Referees to communicate VAR decisions
There has been growing frustration at the lack of communication around VAR decisions to fans. A 12-month trial around stadium communication at Fifa events will begin at the Club World Cup - which takes place from 1-11 February - and, if successful, move on to the men's Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia in May and then the women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. It has still to be decided whether the communication in Morocco will be in French, English or Arabic. A system where the decisions were explained more clearly to those watching at home and inside stadiums would follow the cricket and National Football League (NFL)-style model of direct explanations. "We don't think fans getting enough information," added Bullingham. "We are trialling this in the hardest environment first because we think it will be easier in domestic leagues." Get ready for more injury time
Ifab also hailed its "successful" policy on stoppage time at the World Cup in Qatar, when matches lasting more than 100 minutes, including stoppages, became the norm. It is keen to ensure the time the ball is in play goes up and having rejected alternatives, such as a countdown clock, believes changes can be made within the existing structure of the game. Essentially that means timing injury delays and adding that precise figure at the end of a match rather than a rough idea of the total time, which will be relayed as guidance to all domestic competitions from next season. This could mean huge amounts of injury time, but Bullingham feels this will reduce once the implications become clear to the players. "Once there is no incentive to stay down, we think there will be less injury-time anyway," he said. Offside controversy
Guidance around offside decisions initially relayed last summer was made law, including the issue of players interfering with play. The controversy around Manchester United's equalising goal against Manchester City on Saturday was discussed and whether it was felt there is a loophole in the law that needs to be closed. "The conclusion was there is no gap in the law," said Bullingham.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Jan 19, 2023 20:08:55 GMT
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both score in exhibition..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/516D/production/_128354802_on-mes-index.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/10257/production/_128353166_ron-mes.jpgCristiano Ronaldo scored twice in his first game in Saudi Arabia and Lionel Messi was also on the scoresheet as Paris St-Germain edged a Riyadh All-Star XI 5-4 in a thrilling contest. The exhibition match in the Saudi capital saw two of the greatest players of all time sharing a pitch together for possibly the final time. Messi opened the scoring and Ronaldo netted twice for 2-2 at half-time. Both players were substituted off just after the hour mark. The two PSG centre-backs were also on the scoresheet as Sergio Ramos added to Marquinhos' delightful finish in the opening period. But the French side played much of the game with 10 men as Juan Bernat received a straight red card for hauling down Saudi international Salem Al Dawsari and Neymar also missed a penalty in a breathtaking first half. Jang Hyun-soo's header drew the All-Star XI level at 3-3, but Kylian Mbappe's penalty and substitute Hugo Ekitike's composed effort put PSG out of sight. Anderson Talisca drilled in a long-range consolation late in injury-time but there was not time for a dramatic equaliser. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/EDAD/production/_128354806_ron-siu.jpgRonaldo has had to wait for his debut since a big move to Al-Nassr because of a suspension from his time at Manchester United. But he will make his competitive debut for his new side on Sunday, when they host Ettifaq at Mrsool Park. So how fitting it was that his first game in the Middle Eastern country - a high-profile and hugely competitive friendly - was against his old foe Messi, who lifted the World Cup in neighbouring Qatar just a month ago. The Argentina captain latched on to Neymar's pass and converted the opener after just two minutes, but the 37-year-old Portugal skipper was not to be outdone. Ronaldo's first was from the penalty spot, which was awarded after he was floored by PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas' forearm smash into his face, leaving him with a badly bruised cheek. And he showed the hunger and desire he still possesses for the second, an initial header hitting the post then reacting quickest to convert, showcasing his trademark celebration for both goals with the crowd joining in. Both players were taken off on 61 minutes and could have faced each other for the last time, unless they cross paths again in the twilight of their glittering careers.
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