By Tony Attwood
It was so long ago that you have probably forgotten the headlines that told us that, “Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has led a chorus of condemnations against Fifa President Gianni Infantino, after US striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension was controversially delayed following intervention from Donald Trump.”
But that was real; it happened, it passed, and now we have, “Conspiracy theories that claim Fifa is fixing World Cup for Argentina.”
Now, interestingly, we are in an age where if anything is called a “conspiracy theory” it means it is only believed in by dopes – although the fact is that in some places at some times conspiracies do happen, and maybe dismissing every action we don’t like as a conspiracy theory is not really the best way of analysing the world.
And it is interesting, to me at least, that we don’t have these sorts of headlines all the way through the normal football season. Where were the headlines telling us that the delay in resolving the Manchester City money scandals and their 110+ guilty verdicts were part of a conspiracy? We didn’t get any. But it does seem like a hell of a long time since anything happened to resolve that.
But the silence means we don’t really get any questions asking why that scandal has just been left. Why is no one (except Untold) asking questions anymore?
And so as a result, everything just jogs along as if there is no outstanding case at all, no fine to be paid, no questions to be answered. Quite amazingly, every media outlet seems to have agreed with each other to say nothing more. And now there is every chance that we will go into the new season with everything still as it is. ManC face 100+ charges, just as a year ago.
Meanwhile we are diverted onto “Bruno Guimaraes keen for Arsenal move in latest Newcastle blow” And the subheading, “Brazilian knows this may be his last chance to secure big-money move to a team competing for silverware every season.”
Now for us Arsenal supporters, that is indeed a more interesting topic, but it is strange that we are allowed to read it only because the corruption allegations surrounding Fifa and the World Cup have vanished. It is as if the World Cup organisers have taken a look at how PGMO handle things and said, “that’s the way to do it”. Just say nothing, and it goes away. Anyway, just in case you wanted more on the main story, basically all we have is that “Bruno Guimarães is keen to move to Arsenal this summer but is unsure whether to try and force his way out of Newcastle…” (Telegraph – which is in fact what was said yesterday).
The Guardian, however, does have a go at livening things up a bit with a rather obvious piece about Odegaard and Rice setting aside their club friendship for the battle ahead in the WC – with the media noticing that the two men play for the same club but will be on different sides in the WC international. Wow. I never knew!
“Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard will not be exchanging breezy pleasantries in the hours before England face Norway,” they say, so wow again!!
We are actually told they both have huge respect for each other’s ability which, having met neither of them I can well imagine not least with the two men having played inj the same team apparntly 117 times (I haven’t check the number but it is the sort of thing football jojrnalsits do. generally get right).
And here’s another thing I didn’t know – they were born 28 days apart but somehow have only faced each other in training. So there we are.
What we do know is that Ødegaard’s quiet and calm style on the pitch as captain really works, what with him becoming captain of both his club and his country under the age of 24. In relation to which Rice commented, “I wouldn’t want anyone else being our captain,” and I suspect most of us would agree.
Of course, the other issue is that Rice is insisting on playing on through pain, which might do his country a lot of good, but could leave Arsenal short of a player when the new season starts. He played over 65 games last season and into the international period, and I am not sure he has had a day off. Quite what condition he will be in come the start of next season I’ve no idea.
But I can’t imagine he will be ready for the Community Shield game against Manch City. We defeated City in our last Community Shield outing in 2023. It’s being played again in Cardiff for some reason.
Anyway, we then play Coventry City, who have just returned from the lower levels, on Friday, August 21, at home at 8pm, so some lovely Friday evening traffic to drive through prior to that one. But I can’t see everyone being ready for that. But we might have a full squad for the Champions League opener in the second week of September.
All we can say is, please take it easy, Declan – or at least as easy as your managers will let you. And remember, it is the club that pays your wages, not your country.
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What will come out of this World Cup that most of us will remember ? Will it be for the football or that politicians and other scum got involved ?
Donnie Trump took time off from his busy schedule to interfere with red cards , and getting his player , to appear on the field . Once again he did the impossible .
That Paraguayan female politician , went on a racist media rampage on a player not playing in her country’s team. That officially makes her a Latin football Karen !
What about Jurgen Kloop and his making the penalty box fouling , pushing and shoving , all about Arsenal , and their practicing the Dark Arts ?
What about the FIFA Presidents’s hands on approach with Red Cards recindings ? And being pally with creeps and morons ?