Let me make it clear, as a neutral I fully enjoyed Sheffield United's giant-killing act as I called the game on ESPN, but at the risk of being considered officious: rules are rules! The big blue book clearly states that if the ball touches an 'outside agent' while in play, the referee must immediately stop play and re-start the game with a dropped ball where the contact was made.
Tough luck if the FA Cup Final last minute winner strikes a dog on the goal line on its way to the back of the net, the ref has to disallow the goal and award a dropped ball on the edge of the 6 yard box, though I'd not like to have to call that one.
FIFA qualify an 'outside agent' in the 2007/08 Laws of the Game publication as, 'Anyone not indicated on the team list as a player, substitute or team official.' Match officials, corner flags and goal posts are also thrown into the list of exclusions, but no mention of balloons.
One of the funniest Quotes of the Week roundup in a long time. And not just because it's got Coronation Street Trash talking.
Despite the fact that the FA Cup is for all intents and purposes over here is the 5th Round Draw
Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Cardiff City v Wolves
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Barnsley
Manchester United v Arsenal
Preston v Portsmouth
Coventry City v West Brom
Chelsea v Huddersfield Town
The round where the premiership catches up. There will be at the very least 3 non Premiership teams in the quarterfinals which doesn't seem as crazy as 10 non premiership teams in the octofinals. So the draw goes the FA's way then, because who the HELL wants to see Cardiff and Soton at Wembley, Or another Championship side (or league one I guess is still possible) representing England in the UEFA Cup?
They've even got that exciting match of Utd v Arsenal so that people will actually still pay attention past the 4th Round! Hopefully that will be more exciting than the FA Cup Final in 2005.
“Kevin Keegan has approached me and they’ve offered me more money. I am definitely leaving Spurs. It’s all about the money. I don’t care about the final, I don’t care about the cup.” - Pascal Chimbonda.
"There's no hiding the fact that Pascal is frustrated because the club are looking at new full-backs to replace him.
"However, he wouldn't disrespect Tottenham or his team-mates by saying he doesn't care about the club.
"Pascal cares about Spurs, he cares about his team-mates, he cares about his football and he cares about his career.
"Even if he does move on, Spurs will always have a place in his heart as will the fans.
"Anyone who thinks differently only has to look at his celebrations on the pitch after the win over Arsenal on Tuesday night and that proves everything."
I'm facinated with Liverpool lately. Especially how they can have 2 decent players and still be considered a Big 4 club. I know that I'm not alone because of the stories in my fantastic google reader feeds this morning, the Lion Share's were about Liverpool. So here's a rundown of some things:
20 Handy Facts About Havant & Waterlooville Well not really Liverpool but the most exciting thing in a positive light to be happening at Anfield this weekend . Of course this game is not being shown in the US and I will hope it's on a sopcast site of some sort.
Reds 'complete' finance deal For the Liverpool faithful I hope that this part of some deal where The American Owners (tm) can still sell the club off to DIC and walk away with profit for not putting any money out at all. They really are poison.
Hobbs agrees to Iron Switch . Jack Hobbs showed some flashes of brilliance this season when standing in for Liverpool's constantly injured backline. I hope that this loan deal saves Scunthorpe from the drop into League One and gets Hobbs some first team play before going back to Liverpool next year. Maybe then they'll realise hoping for Agger to be fit is like bailing out a yacht with a thimble.
Sven-Göran Eriksson has been linked to an Italian faith healer, exorcist and “practitioner of white magic”. On Tuesday, the self-described “Baroness” Clara Romano was placed under house arrest by police in the Italian port city of Ancona. She faces accusations of fraud and tax evasion.
I have to admit I find English Football and the English Football press to be one of the most hilarious things since the beginning of time. From the use of not-so-direct "direct quotes" in which Footballers' language is cleaned up to sound more erudite or just plain literate than they are to footballers feeding their own stories to the news under the auspices of having loads of friends.
Anyway, this story from yesterday's Sky Sports, which I just read today due to a 12 hour sleep fest last night, made me laugh for a good 2 minutes.
John Terry claims Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is the best in the world.
The England captain believes Carragher, who retired from internationals last year, compares favourably with any defender in the game today.
"I personally think that over the last four or five years he has been the best defender in the world," Terry told the official Liverpool website.
"He's been consistent in the Premier League, he's never injured, he always gives 100 per cent, he's a good reader of the game, he's quick and is good in the air.
The Americans have to go," said Mackin. "They've let everybody down associated with the club.
"They've let the manager down by not backing him publicly, they've gone behind his back and undermined his position and in doing so, they've embarrassed the supporters.
"They've dragged the name of the club through the mud and made us a laughing stock."
"You mean there's TWO clubs in Manchester? "
"Well no actually there are several in the Football League alone and a gazillon more when you get into Non-League"
*Friends eyes roll back and friend asks me what I think about Beckham in the US"
Corluka's cup dream
16/ 1/2008
VEDRAN Corluka was just 13 when he vowed to himself that he would one day play in an FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
I know this isn't strictly the theme of this blog, but oh my goodness me--everyone would excuse me.
Dante Stallworth from the Future Superbowl Champion New England Patriots.
But no one was harder on Stallworth than himself. Immediately after Mathis made the tackle, Stallworth pounded the ground and then started punching his legs as if they were defective.
Stallworth said that was punishment from his alter ego, Nicco, whom Stallworth has described as an extra terrestrial being that resides on Mars when the receiver is off the field.
Toon Army forces the club into stupid sentimental decision. The BBC and Sky Sports both call it a shock. RTE called it sensational so that's the article I'll link to.
Keegan returns to the Magpies
Wednesday, 16 January 2008 16:58
Kevin Keegan will sensationally return to Newcastle United as the club's manager.
From Skysports this morning:
Blues chief executive Alistair Mackintosh:
"Richard has made it clear
that he is very happy at Manchester City, and we are very happy with him. The
talks we are having are very constructive.
