World Soccer XXX: We Have Men Too!

[Kepler]

Belarus has already been banned.

Iran? What for exactly?

UAE? City Football Group. Ain’t happening.

North Korea? They’ve pretty much done that themselves.

Iran and UAE for being Russian allies and contributing to the war effort. Fuck em.

 

[SonofSouthie]

Does Poland get a walkover now?

 

[Kepler]

Does Poland get a walkover now?

Too soon.

 

[Slap Shot]

Are you OK with sanctions which hurt common people because of their leaders?

Innocent people get hurt. An athlete not being able to compete is at about a 0.2 on a 100-point human tragedy scale.

I didn't say it was a human tragedy, but your false equivalency and condescension are duly noted.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

I don't know how I feel about banning athletes from competing because their leader is a criminal. It's one thing if the team was caught doping, cheating, etc. But for what gains, to what end, at what cost to people that have nothing to do with Putin's decision making?

If you want to isolate a country 100%, you have to isolate a country 100% -- economically, diplomatically, travel, entertainment, and culturally.

The people of Russia will eventually get it that they are pariahs of the world. And they are going to start asking questions. Allowing them to enjoy the pleasures of life like entertainment and sports, allows them to ignore what's happening.

Yes, we can talk about the hypocrisy of such action compared to the inaction of other situations, and I would be in agreement with that debate. However, in this case, the complete isolation of Russia is effective. So, we have to continue it ... 100%.

 

[Kepler]

I didn't say it was a human tragedy, but your false equivalency and condescension are duly noted.

Well that's the important thing.

 

[LynahFan]

If you want to isolate a country 100%, you have to isolate a country 100% -- economically, diplomatically, travel, entertainment, and culturally.

The people of Russia will eventually get it that they are pariahs of the world. And they are going to start asking questions. Allowing them to enjoy the pleasures of life like entertainment and sports, allows them to ignore what's happening.

Yes, we can talk about the hypocrisy of such action compared to the inaction of other situations, and I would be in agreement with that debate. However, in this case, the complete isolation of Russia is effective. So, we have to continue it ... 100%.

Especially since we know that Putin’s ego is tightly intertwined with the performance of Russian national teams.

 

[Jimjamesak]

On a different CONCACAF Champions League note, some people were asking why it seems some teams don’t care about the CCL and it was pointed out that the prize money to the winner was $500k. $500k for winning the continental championship.

For perspective, the winners of the African and Asian Champions Leagues get $5 million and $4 million respectively. Also, a team receives 2.9 million Euros for being a group stage team in the Europa Conference League! The third tier of UEFA play!

If you’ve ever wondered why the expanded Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX is happening, that’s why.

 

[Slap Shot]

If you want to isolate a country 100%, you have to isolate a country 100% -- economically, diplomatically, travel, entertainment, and culturally.

The people of Russia will eventually get it that they are pariahs of the world. And they are going to start asking questions. Allowing them to enjoy the pleasures of life like entertainment and sports, allows them to ignore what's happening.

Yes, we can talk about the hypocrisy of such action compared to the inaction of other situations, and I would be in agreement with that debate. However, in this case, the complete isolation of Russia is effective. So, we have to continue it ... 100%.

I should have added that I "get it" and I'm not diametrically opposed to the ban. Just trying to add a human element to all of this and I don't wish bad things on good people as much as it's possible. It's a pie in the sky thought I admit.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Jesse Marsch firing some shots back at the English press.

From day one [the players] accepted me. None of them made fun of my accent… unlike some of you.

Xenophobia and Brits, name a better combination.

 

[Kepler]

Jesse Marsch firing some shots back at the English press.



Xenophobia and Brits, name a better combination.

Xenophobia and Japanese.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Xenophobia and Japanese.

Touche.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Oceania World Cup Qualifying has started with their tournament in Qatar.

And a team has already withdrawn because of COVID. Vanuatu has already withdrawn and it looks like the Cook Islands might withdraw as well.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Oceania World Cup Qualifying has started with their tournament in Qatar.

And a team has already withdrawn because of COVID. Vanuatu has already withdrawn and it looks like the Cook Islands might withdraw as well.

Wasn’t the whole point of the centralized tournament to avoid this? Did they not have a quarantine period because of the FIFA calendar?

 

[Jimjamesak]

Wasn’t the whole point of the centralized tournament to avoid this? Did they not have a quarantine period because of the FIFA calendar?

I would think so, though apparently New Zealand is missing players because they hadn’t been released from their clubs yet.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Link

All the Oceania matches are streamed for free at that link (it’s the OFC website so it’s legit) if you really want to watch. New Zealand v Fiji on right now.

 

[Kepler]

Link

All the Oceania matches are streamed for free at that link (it’s the OFC website so it’s legit) if you really want to watch. New Zealand v Fiji on right now.

Oceania is the ND/SD/WY/ID/MT of soccer. They should just combine them all into one superteam that can lose to Spain 12-1.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Oceania is the ND/SD/WY/ID/MT of soccer. They should just combine them all into one superteam that can lose to Spain 12-1.

Only if we move New Zealand into Asia like Australia.

Really, the Caribbean countries are ones that should be combined as well, but I can understand why they don't.

 

[Kepler]

Only if we move New Zealand into Asia like Australia.

Really, the Caribbean countries are ones that should be combined as well, but I can understand why they don't.

The Caribbean should be combined with Central America to form one team, and the entire Western Hemisphere should be sucked into COMNEBOL.

*That* would be fun, watching the US play Brazil and Argentina instead of Jamaica and Panama.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

The Caribbean should be combined with Central America to form one team, and the entire Western Hemisphere should be sucked into COMNEBOL.

*That* would be fun, watching the US play Brazil and Argentina instead of Jamaica and Panama.

If they really wanted to, I’m sure the US and Mexico could get into CONMEBOL. They had the US host the Copa America Centenario and would welcome the $Texas money. But why give up what’s essentially an autobid to the World Cup?