2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

[Pike]

Thinking about it now, I am okay with whoever wins.

If Germany wins then the guys I voted for win.

If Argentina wins Brazil is going to get massively butthurt and it's going to be hilarious (schadenfreude is best freude)

Exciting!

[Psychotic]

Totally unrelated matter; Do you still defend Suarez Paul? Now that he's a Barca player? (I'm sorry, I had to ask )

I've made it clear I don't defend the bite - how can you defend that? xD It was the act of an utter idiot. It was funny and made me laugh, but in the same way a wacky comedian making a fool of himself might make you laugh. My point has always been that the hysteria surrounding it when far worse things happen on the pitch - including what happened to poor old Dirk actually - is hypocrisy and people that indulge in it deserve to be made fun of I don't have any respect for the football media or most pundits at all, they love to be overly negative and critical of foreign players because that's what gets attention, but then they suck up to English managers/players because they're likely to stay in England all their careers and they need to build a good relationship. Fans who blindly parrot their views don't really get the time of day from me either.

Jermain Defoe bit the lovely man in my avatar in 2006 in a Spurs v West Ham match. How many of you even knew that? Was there a media troutstorm? I know Suarez is a repeat offender but that still doesn't fly with me - if biting is so abhorrent then one incidence of it is still worthy of moral condemnation, surely? But then Jermain Defoe being an arsehole doesn't quite sell papers like Luis Suarez being an arsehole does.

FIFA's ban was also the most ridiculous thing I've seen for football discipline, not even being allowed to attend games or even train is just outright draconian and I think it's just posturing and grandstanding. I still feel that way, it's still so far removed from anything that makes sense. Just make him play in a muzzle. He wants to act the fool he can look like a fool!

Finally, no, it doesn't matter who he plays for. I like Liverpool players more but contrary to whatever Old Manus says, if you actually look back on my posts I think I'm pretty fair when it comes to Liverpool players. You may remember my calls for my all time hero Steven Gerrard to be dropped from the England team, or saying Sturridge dived to win a penalty at Old Trafford. But then you may not, because nobody really takes notice or gives a smurf when I do that, but when I do praise/defend a Liverpool player it's because I'm a crazy Liverpool fan. Can't win!

[Rocket Edge]

You make some good points (I think I have even being converted to a DIRK supporter). For instance, in a Korean Premier League match you won't see a nobody getting the attention or ban that Suarez got, but then again it was in the WC in front of a portion of the world's population. FIFA being the mafia they are were always gonna come down harsh. I think the decision was harsh though.

You are fair IMO, like pretty much everyone else here. You say derogatory things about United at times but it's just keeping the rivalry alive (I'm guilty of this too, you bastard ). If I have anything to share about football in general I post in this forum because it makes me laugh & I know I won't get silly replies from people who are blinded by the media.

Finally, opinions about tonight's match? I think 1-0 to Germany or else a penalty shootout. You just know Argentina will have studied Germanys style of play. Argentina play counter attacking against a German team who although quite attacking are set up extremely well. I think it will be fascinating, but with few goals IMO.

[Loony BoB]

I honestly don't think the decision was harsh because it was the third time. If a guy in the stands bit someone three times, with longer bans each time, they'd be banned from stadiums for life by now, surely. Hell, they might even be off to prison.

[Rocket Edge]

Manus made the point that if it happened on rugby pitch he'd probably be banned for life. Thats very true.

I dunno, I think in general football's discipline actions are so wayward that everyone keeps comparing them to other sanctions that other players got and it's an element why there is debate. 'Suarez should not get 4 months because X got only two months! Suarez should get more of a ban because X got 6 months!'

[Christmas]

Germany for the win!! There are more hunks in the team!

And I like the colour of their flag!

[Pike]

Some little girl drew a picture of Neymar and they turned it into a plushie and it's so friggin' cute

[Loony BoB]

Manus made the point that if it happened on rugby pitch he'd probably be banned for life. Thats very true.

I dunno, I think in general football's discipline actions are so wayward that everyone keeps comparing them to other sanctions that other players got and it's an element why there is debate. 'Suarez should not get 4 months because X got only two months! Suarez should get more of a ban because X got 6 months!'

Are there any other third-time-biters to compare to? xD

[Psychotic]

They're all in different competitions though - it's his first time doing it under FIFA's jurisdiction. FIFA clearly stated the other incidents weren't taken into account when they made the judgment.

[Freya]

HERE WE GOOOO

[Psychotic]

Shame that was offside, great ball, neat finish.

[Madame Adequate]

>people still think Messi is good at povertyball

laffo

[Mahad]

you know, seeing how the game's going, Argentina will most likely win this

[Loony BoB]

Have to say I have a big soft spot for Romero, he was a club legend in my Nottingham Forest FM2010 game when he helped lead the club (seriously if I recall he may have been either captain or vice captain) to Premier League & Champions League glory. Amazed that irl he's gone to Serie B despite remaining in the Argentine national team.

[Psychotic]

You know, this has been nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be.