Footballer Fired for Being Too Fat
By: Daryl |
1 Comment
Fat footballers are part of the modern game. Whether it’s players actually letting themselves go (see: Ronaldinho recently) or players who get lumped with the overweight label because it’s easy alliteration (see: “Fat” Frank Lampard). It’s a phenomenon that goes all the way back to William Fatty Foulke, who really deserved the title.
But no professional footballer has ever been fired for being overweight. Until now.
Category: World Football
It Wouldn't Be Beach Soccer Without Dancing Babes in Bikinis, Now, Would It?
By: Laurie | Add comments
It's Beach Soccer World Cup time. What does this mean?
It means beautiful women dancing around in bikinis, of course. (What, you thought it meant soccer?)
Category: World FootballSome Video of that Columbus-West Ham Kerfuffle
By: Laurie | 7 Comments
I love YouTube. I knew it was only a matter of time before we got to see for ourselves the hoolie porn actions of the fun guys at the previously discussed Columbus-West Ham friendly.
FYI, gents? There’s nothing ladies find more attractive than drunken guys duking it out. Especially when they’re wearing jerseys of a team from a country where they’ve spent approximately three days, total.
Truly. I’m serious. Would I lie to you?
In other exciting West Ham Does North America news, Canadian security will be on the lookout for those evil West Ham rowdies.
Category: World FootballFugitive Former Cosmos Player and ex-Lazio Prez Giorgio Chinaglia Gets Hit With Mob Charges
By: Laurie | 2 Comments
Former New York Cosmos player Giorgio Chinaglia may be a lot of things, but you can’t accuse him of lacking audacity. If you saw the movie “Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos,” he was the one with the biggest ego. And back in the 1970s, he was the best player ever to play in America.
Just ask him.
Oh, wait. You can’t ask him. He’s now on the lam — a fugitive suspected of being part of a group that tried to oust a former Lazio president by attempting to buy the team using mob money.
Category: World FootballDaily Dose 07.22.08
By: Laurie | 4 Comments
Some news to read as you get a fish pedicure:
- Red Bulls Fan of the Year gets banned for life. Another Red Bulls Offside exclusive interview. (Red Bulls Offside)
- On a related note, the US Soccer Fans’ Bill of Rights (Outside the Box)
- And the US Fan’s Bill of Responsibilities (Also Outside the Box)
- An entertaining history of jersey numbers. (”Cheeky French leftback” Bixente Lizarazu’s choice? Quintessentially Liza.) (Yahoo Eurosport UK)
- Top 5 Worst Football Shirt Designs Of 08/09 Premier League Season (EPL Talk)
- Look! In Uzbekistan! It’s some Barcelona boys! With…CESC?!? (I have to say that Puyol has the best bread. But Cesc? He’s got that golden turban thing. And the robe. Don’t underestimate the power of the robe.) (This is Extra Time)
- New Bayern Munich jerseys. And while we’re at it, the new West Ham kit. (Bayern Munich Offside and West Ham Offside)
Category: World FootballSwedish Burger Chain Defies McDonald's and UEFA
By: Daryl | 4 comments
The level of commercialization in football took another step towards total today, as UEFA are taking Euro 2009 Under-21 Championship matches away from the Swedish city of Borås.
Not because the stadium isn't built, not because of infrastructure or safety concerns. Not for anything football related. But to keep McDonald's happy. That's right, the location of international tournaments is now decided by how happy Ronald McDonald is.
The controversy revolves around Swedish fast food restaurant MAX, who've been arguing with UEFA about whether they should close their doors for the U-21 Euros to make way for official sponsor McDonald's.
MAX apparently offered a last minute compromise: to close their Borås Arena joint three hours before kick off and re-open an hour after the end of matches. But McDonalds/UEFA say that's not good enough, and have yanked Borås as a venue.
Category: World FootballRixon Javier Corozo Takes One for the Team
By: Daryl | 1 Comment
We’ve already seen one cringe-worthy goalkeeping mishap today, but this one’s different. El Nacional keeper Rixon Javier Corozo comes out and manages to clear the ball, but he flies headfirst into his own defender afterwards, injuring them both.
I’m fairly certain the defender was Bolivar Efren Gómez, since the stats say he was substituted at halftime.
Good news is that everyone involved is OK, bad news is that despite Corozo’s heroics El Nacional lost 1-0.
[spotted on PhillyBurbs.com]
Photos of the Day: Read the Manager Emotion
By: Laurie | 7 Comments
The European season is creaking back into gear. A friendly here, an InterToto Cup match there. We’re even seeing some early round Champions League qualifiers. What does this mean?
It means it’s once again time to play the “Read the Manager Emotion” game!
Using only the clues from body language, facial expressions and hand gestures, tell us what’s going on in the match.
First up? Peter Nicolas of the Welsh club Llanelli.
Next? Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. The occasion? A friendly with Haladas in Szombathely, Hungary.
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: World FootballSo How's That Beach Soccer World Cup Coming Along?
By: Laurie | 3 comments
"You sure Cantona said this would help us get chicks?"
"Yeah. 'Check out those flamingos if you don't believe me,' he said."
(Okay, sorry, not funny. It's summer and my brain is feeling lazy. Feel free to leave a better caption in the comments.)
While the rest of the world is falling over themselves to spread rumors about the amount that Roman Abramovich is willing to pay to bring Kaka to Chelsea (I heard $2 billion, or maybe it was three), there is actual tournament soccer being played. Beach soccer. The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is currently going on in Marseille, France. (Photos from the stadium construction were posted last week.)
Category: World FootballVolkan Ünlü Beaten from 70 Meters Out
By: Daryl | 4 Comments
Portugal’s S.C. Braga beat Turkey’s Sivasspor 2-0 in the Intertoto Cup first leg on Sunday, and it’s safe to say that Sivasspor keeper Volkan Ünlü had a bad night.
With Sivasspor already 1-0 down, Ünlü was beaten from about 70 meters out by a strike from defender Moisés. I say strike, but it was more like a long aimless free-kick that bounced right over the hapless Ünlü and into the net.
No wonder Ünlü tried to hide his head in his jersey.
[spotted on 101 GG's Goals of the Week]
Category: EuropeDaily Dose 07.21.08
By: Laurie | 4 Comments
Some news to read as you visit the Museum of the American Cocktail:
- Tunisian football terminology 101. Because you can’t know how to say “nutmeg” in too many languages (Tunisia blog)
- Three reasons why English footballers cost more (SoccerLens)
- […] If just one person falls over when there are many standing, this can cause a ‘domino effect’ to occur, and many people could suffer injury as a result. (The Spoiler)
- Fergie to manage Great Britain in 2012? (The Soccer Weblog)
- Sacha Kljestan: The Zidane of MLS? (Soccer Training Info)
- Michael Ballack wants us to know: The doctor says it’s called priapism and it’s nothing to be ashamed of (Kickette)
- (Note to my mother: No, of course I didn’t write that. Somebody must have stolen my password and posted it under my name. Note to my kids: No, I don’t know what that word means either. Now run along and torment the dog. Note to everyone else: What, you’d prefer I give you 500 links to the Ohio hoolie story and another 1000 transfer rumors?)
Category: World FootballPhoto of the Day: Boca Dog
By: Laurie | 2 Comments
What the owners are thinking: “Hahaha! Isn’t this cute! His Boca kit matches ours!”
What the dog is thinking: “@#$% this. Go River Plate!”
(AP Photo by Natacha Pisarenko)
Category: World FootballOoh! Hooligans! Straight from that American Hoolie Hotbed, Ohio!
By: Laurie | 8 Comments
Excuse me? Gentlemen? Yes, you, right there, the American West Ham “supporter” in the claret and blue. And you, over there. The Columbus Crew supporter in that bumble bee yellow-and-black. (But mainly the American guys in the claret and blue, who by most accounts were the instigators.)
Let’s talk.
I know last night felt like the right time to channel your inner hoolie. I mean… The appearance of an actual English team? Right here in your city? A team that you actually owned a jersey for? Or at least a team with a jersey you could get on ebay with rush delivery before the game? I mean, how perfect, right?
And I know you’re hopped up on the thrill on European-style hooliganism, having gotten yourselves all excited with hoolie porn like Dougie Brimson’s ‘March of the Hooligans.’
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: World FootballRafinha Goes AWOL to Chase Olympic Gold
By: Daryl | 8 comments
Schalke 04 player Márcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza, or Rafinha to you and I, has gone AWOL for the Olympics. The right back been called up to the Brazil squad for the games in Beijing next month, but Schalke have repeatedly refused him permission to go.
Schalke general manager Andreas Muller says "I spoke with [Rafinha] on Sunday and was insistent that nothing had changed in our position and that we were expecting him to be with us on Monday for the trip to our training camp in Austria. He informed me that he would not be at the meeting place for the journey and would not join our training camp."
Rafinha himself was quoted in Bild today saying: "I want to meet up with the Olympic team on Tuesday. I don't think I'll be travelling with Schalke into the training camp."
Category: World FootballRoberto Kovac Tackles Topless Pitch Invader
By: Daryl | 6 Comments
If you saw the headline and came looking for boobs, then prepare to be disappointed. The pitch invader was male. But this is still a great video, particularly if you like seeing professional footballers use their talent to foil trespassers.
Spartak Moscow’s Czech defender Radoslav Kovac used a proper professional foul to bring this guy down, tripping from behind (love the slo-mo). The ref seemed to get the topless invader confused with an actual player though, as he shows Kovac a yellow.
Tip of the hat to Unprofessional Foul, who share our conviction that streakers aren’t streakers unless they’re naked. And that includes you Tiffany May.
Category: World Football
Bienvenue M. Behrami! Et Merci M. Nani!
Former Lazio champ Valon Behrami has signed for the Hammers for £5million from Lazio. I guess Di Canio told him how great the Hammers are? In any case, Behrami was a bargain if you ask me, and a great addition to the squad.
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Champions League qualifying round set
Our course through the second qualifying round is set as we're to face FBK Kaunas of Lithuania who easily handled the Andorran FC Santa Coloma in the first round. The two leg series kicks-off at Ibrox on Wednesday 30 July, with the second leg on 5 August. The Lithuanian
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Nakamura injured and might need surgery
It only took one game for Japanese free kick master, Shunsuke Nakamura, to pick an injury. Next Tuesday Naka will fly to Germany to have an operation for a sports hernia. The doctors are expecting that Nakamura will miss three weeks and only miss the opening game of
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
The Great Messi Question
Just as the final decision by the board will be made on whether or not to let Leo Messi join Argentina's push for another Olympic victory, I thought I would weigh in this complicated business of club vs sorta country. Let's start with the overarching themes involved in this discussion: 1. The
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
friendly against Roulers
Update on todays friendly on Roeselare. I am joining late because of connection problems and keep losing my posts. My apologies but I will get you caught up. PSG Lineup: GK Apoula Edima Bete Edel; DF Larrys Mabiala, Zoumana Camara, Mamadou Sakho, Sylvain Armand MF Grégory Bourillon, Clément Chantôme, Jérémy
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Guti, Etoo?? and Irding
I Decided to Shave! Here is an interview with Guti to kick this post off: José María Gutiérrez 'Guti' knows that the most important thing to do in order to stay at the top of one's game is to be excited and to be motivated about winning titles. Does Real Madrid need
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away
So, I am doing a special guest DCU offside blog posting as I am a good friend of Jon. Not to waste your time with lengthy introductions, but there is a new sheriff in town (for at least today). I am heading out to the RFK statium tonight to
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...Clément Chantôme is a trace cautious
For many around Football the summer months are a trace boring. Little action and all clatter of "who" might be going where, if such and such moves "here". I have to say, while much of that is true, I enjoy this rather whimsical period where optimism abounds and seemingly every
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Yep, The Mind-Games Have Begun in Earnest
Fergie vs. Wenger? Ridiculous mind-games at times. Fergie vs. Mourinho? Quite amusing mind-games at times. Fergie vs. Rafa? Not too many mind-games really. Fergie vs. Grant? Some minor issues with mind-games... Fergie vs. Scolari? Let the first broadside and the reaction to it begin.
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Friendly: FK Partizan vs. Lyon Liveblog
I know it's just a friendly, but it'll be interesting to see the internationals back in action, except this time, some of our new signings and our youth will be in the mix as well. This match is also a big one for Partizan, who will be receiving their league
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...Ivan Hosman brought in
As PSG searches for a number three 'keeper in support of Mickäel Landreau, they have just brought in eighteen year-old Croatian Ivan Hosman, who has spent time with Borussia Dortmund of the German Bundesliga. He will be working with Goalkeeping coach, Christian Mas as the club determines its options. Once I
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Pre-season Live Match: Brondby v. Juventus
Tonight in Denmark, Juventus will hope to erase their 0-1 loss to Piacenza earlier this month with a victory against Copenhagen's finest. The Bianconeri will square off against Brondby IF, in what I consider as our last pre-season warm-up match. The real tests of strength and character heading into our 2008-09 Serie A
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Lichtsteiner To Lazio For 1.2 Million Euros
La Voix du Nord reports that Stephan Lichtsteiner will be transferred to S.S. Lazio for around 1.2 million euros. PSG was another possibility for the LOSC defender. 28 year old Slovakian goalkeeper Lubos Hajduch is another potential replacement for Tony Sylva. Sylva transferred out of Lille to Trabzonspor earlier in
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Djibril Cissé
More of the dirty-little rumour than fact at this stage but the Daily Mirror is reporting that Mark Hughes is preparing a bid on disgruntled Olympique Marseille Striker Djibril Cissé. The twenty-six year-old French International is apparently keen on returning to the Premier League, where he previously played at Liverpool.
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Timbers can't win games, but winning awards is no problem
The power of the Internets The results are in and Takayuki Suzuki has left Brandon Roy and the other Portland athletes in his dust. From Willamette Week's pointless, and now entirely comical, Best of Portland edition: BEST ATHLETE Takayuki Suzuki (Portland Timbers) Meet the Timbers’ new forward. The 32-year-old Japanese footballer played
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...A Few Quick Bits of News for Today
*Scholes backs the youth... *Ben Foster earns the praise of Sir Alex... *Fergie puts a little pressure on those on the fringes... *Wes Brown flies home...
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...on the Benjani injury
Amongst the clatter of transfers with a cost to make the Exchequer blush, I am hopefully that someone around Eastlands considers investing in information desk that relates information from appropriate medical parties. I've waited for information on the Benjani injury and given that nothing other that anecdotal reports are coming-in I
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...Sir Alex: I've Helped Ruin Rooney
Not really of course, but Sir Alex has admitted that Rooney may have suffered a bit from being asked to switch from his natural forward position for the good of the team. Hmm. I wonder which teammate he's accommodated the most? I wonder...
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Offers are on the table
Just not for who we thought. Pablo Vranjican has had an offer placed by some club in Croatia (Hopefully Split) and most likely will be heading on, since Caruso doesn't have plans on using him. Hector Gaitan is getting some love from Bolivar and just might find himself playing in
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Good luck to our Irish friends at Drogheda
Not much going on in Scotland today football-wise. Some friendlies, the best of which is probably Motherwell-Wolves ... but we can take this opportunity to refocus our interest on our friends to the southwest in Ireland. Drogheda United is involved in their first-ever Champions League qualification, and has
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Pascal Chimbonda update
Well I'm quickly becoming the bearer of bad news aren't I. I had hoped to update you on all sorts of positive signings and other tasty situations developing at St. James’ Park but it seems I keep sending out another lump of coal. Well today isn't much different because rumours
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...Emre deal to Fenerbahçe finally complete
This deal seemed liked it took forever to complete however it was announced that Emre Belözoğlu, ex-Galatasaray man and Turkey's captain has signed with Istanbul's Fenerbahçe. I'm not sure what the reception will be like for him at Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium but this will be a brilliant return
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Ballack: Not Even The Best At Being Second!
Last season was a miserable season for Chelsea's Micheal Ballack. The German midfielder finished runner up in the League Cup, The EPL, The Champions League and Euro 2008, with Chelsea and Germany respectively. This isn't the first time this has happened to him either - back in 2002, he came
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Another new player, etc.
Well, a new-ish player, anyway. 25 year-old Ivorian defensive midfielder Jean-Jacques Gosso impressed Ricardo and the ASM board during his trial to earn a 3-year contract. Gosso had been previously playing his football in Israel. According to various sources, Freddy will wear number 20 at Monaco. Today we play l'OM at Cannes.
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
Turmoil and Chaos
While Valencia CF goes through their daily training sessions in preparation for the season (interesting choice by coach Unai Emery in taking the players to the beach to train yesterday), turmoil and chaos reign in the back office. But isn't that what we've come to expect from this club? Today,
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...The future of David N’Gog
Le Parisien is reporting that promising nineteen year-old striker David N’Gog will be signed today by Liverpool of the Premier League. David is in the final year of his contract and has been rumoured to be looking for a move as he appeared to no longer feature in the PSG
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
All The Bull: A Welcome Addition?
- La Prensa Honduras says he has passed the test - and George Welcome will inevitabley play in Major League Soccer (I know this hasnt been reported this side of the Mexican border, but its coming straight from the horses mouth here). Now, the question remains, for which team? Of course, New
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
It is Time We Start to Believe In...
Abbiati! Alessio, there is no need to thank us!
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
The Never Ending Gareth Barry Saga
I'm not sure whether to feel sorry for Gareth Barry or not. It had to sting quite a bit to be booed by the away contingent of your own fans in a preseason match. He has reiterated to Martin O'Neil that he would like to leave to Liverpool
Jul 23, 2008 | Read this article...
What KaPaRo? All Hail VuMuTo!
Dude. Adrian Mutu. Before we get carried away with dreams of a MutuVuci partnership in front, punching holes in stripe-wearing defenses left and right courtesy of hot, fresh, perfectly-baked service from the feet of The Totti, let's take stock of the facts things that are most likely true: On the morning
Jul 22, 2008 | Read this article...
Rovers Interested in 'El Toro'
Barclays Premier League club Blackburn Rovers, has expressed serious interest in Olympiacos defender Vassilis Torosidis, and have offered the Greek Champions an offer rumored to total 6 million euros. Several English newspapers have reported that the Blackburn management are keen to land the 23-year old Greek international. An offer of 4.5
Jul 22, 2008 | Read this article...
training day in Oisterwijk
With the club training in Oisterwijk this weeks, they've rolled-back some of the overall fitness work and subsequently increased the technical component. One of the most notable points in practice as been the swarming and tight defensive net that is emerging. Much of this is owing to the play Carlos
Jul 22, 2008 | Read this article...
I've got Olympics on my mind
I spent a considerable amount of time today writing out my thoughts on the political aspects of the upcoming Games as well as the history of protests among Olympic athletes. Unfortunately, I did this in lieu of the stuff that actually pays me but, uh, expect to see those
Jul 22, 2008 | Read this article...A Continental Transfer Window?
As you, the presumably Hammer faithful will already know, we as a club haven't really done anything in terms of acquiring new players this offseason. Sure we've gotten a couple of youngsters but nothing else. I'm tempted to trust new transfer guru Gianluca Nani as he's the guy
Jul 22, 2008 | Read this article...don't expect Jonás Gutiérrez to soon
If you're starting to wonder when we'll see Jonás Gutiérrez debut it might take a bit longer than we hoped and a lot more money then the Magpies had hoped for. As warned of previously a breach of contract arguement has been filed with FIFA by his former club Real
Jul 22, 2008 | Read this article...
Whose stock will rise the most in Asia?
A new era in Chelsea football begins tomorrow. Uncle Phil, Deco, The Bos -- Jose Bosingwa if you must -- make their Blues debuts, along with the rest of the crew, in the club's first preseason match, against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. What a crazy club name. Anyway, it'll give us fans --
Jul 22, 2008 | Read this article...
And Finally, D'Allesandro Goes to Inter.
River Plate Today, San Lorenzo finalized Andrés D'Alessandro's transfer to Internacional of Porto Alegre. The transfer had been on ice since last week and San Lorenzo has completed their involvement. Now, the player and his new club await a fax confirming the transfer from his old club in Spain, Real Zaragoza.
Jul 22, 2008 | Read this article...don't sell James Milner
With offers apparently about £10m, pressure is growing on Kevin Keegan to sell James Milner. The twenty-two year-old Winger, a product of the Leeds Academy, has shown remarkable promise and is ready to emerge as a top-flight full-time performer in the Premier League. Already emerging on the international scene for
Jul 22, 2008 | Read this article...Email tips[at]theoffside[dot]com
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