Mihir Bose's Blog, page 33
April 13, 2015
So what will Blatter do after May 29?
Inside World Football
No, this is not a joke question but a very serious one. The jokey part of it is that once on the afternoon of May 29 in Zurich, the national associations re-elect Sepp Blatter for a fifth term as President, the 78 year old will cavort on stage possibly with a football as he acknowledges the hosannas of his followers like a medieval monarch. He has done that in the past and, as in 2002, he may be joined by his grandchildren. But the serious question is what sort of punishment does Blatter have in mind for UEFA for daring to challenge him?
That there will be some punishment cannot be doubted. This election will mark the third time he has taken on UEFA and beaten them and we need to look at what happened after each of those elections to see what might happen.
In 1998 UEFA were very confident that Lennart Johansson, their much loved President, would defeat Blatter and end the long and unworthy reign of, as they saw it, the Brazilian usurper Joao Havelange. But for all the qualities the Swede had, and he had many, winning sporting elections was not one of them. And in Blatter he had an opponent who had learnt the arts of sports politics at the hands of Havelange and Horst Dassler, and was just too clever. A lot of noise was made of all sorts of dirty tricks and allegations of underhand payments to Africans in a Paris hotel the night before the vote but nothing emerged. I recall how after the election I asked Blatter about this and he brushed me aside saying the referee has blown the whistle, the match is over.
No, this is not a joke question but a very serious one. The jokey part of it is that once on the afternoon of May 29 in Zurich, the national associations re-elect Sepp Blatter for a fifth term as President, the 78 year old will cavort on stage possibly with a football as he acknowledges the hosannas of his followers like a medieval monarch. He has done that in the past and, as in 2002, he may be joined by his grandchildren. But the serious question is what sort of punishment does Blatter have in mind for UEFA for daring to challenge him?
That there will be some punishment cannot be doubted. This election will mark the third time he has taken on UEFA and beaten them and we need to look at what happened after each of those elections to see what might happen.
In 1998 UEFA were very confident that Lennart Johansson, their much loved President, would defeat Blatter and end the long and unworthy reign of, as they saw it, the Brazilian usurper Joao Havelange. But for all the qualities the Swede had, and he had many, winning sporting elections was not one of them. And in Blatter he had an opponent who had learnt the arts of sports politics at the hands of Havelange and Horst Dassler, and was just too clever. A lot of noise was made of all sorts of dirty tricks and allegations of underhand payments to Africans in a Paris hotel the night before the vote but nothing emerged. I recall how after the election I asked Blatter about this and he brushed me aside saying the referee has blown the whistle, the match is over.
April 8, 2015
Clarke Carlisle: Football is way behind cricket in dealing with mental health issues
Clarke Carlisle: Football is way behind cricket in dealing with mental health issues
London Evening Standard
Clarke Carlisle is now able to talk frankly about the issues that saw him step in front of an oncoming lorry three days before Christmas.
It was only towards the end of his career that Carlisle first learned he was suffering from depression and by that stage he had already tried to take his own life once. After his second suicide attempt last year, Clarke spent six weeks in a psychiatric hospital.
The former Queens Park Rangers and Watford defender is now trying to promote the issues surrounding mental illness and wishes organisations, such as the FA, would do more.
“The governing bodies of football haven’t done anything,” says the 35-year-old. “I went to interview David Bernstein two years ago, when he was in situ as chair of the FA, and he couldn’t tell me a single initiative that they were working on in mental health.”
Two weeks ago Clarke helped Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg launch the Mental Health Charter for Recreation and Sport. The FA are among those to have signed up to it but Clarke says: “I really am reluctant to give them a pat on the back because all it is is a charter to ask organisations to look at what they are doing and to acknowledge mental health as an issue.
London Evening Standard
Clarke Carlisle is now able to talk frankly about the issues that saw him step in front of an oncoming lorry three days before Christmas.
It was only towards the end of his career that Carlisle first learned he was suffering from depression and by that stage he had already tried to take his own life once. After his second suicide attempt last year, Clarke spent six weeks in a psychiatric hospital.
The former Queens Park Rangers and Watford defender is now trying to promote the issues surrounding mental illness and wishes organisations, such as the FA, would do more.
“The governing bodies of football haven’t done anything,” says the 35-year-old. “I went to interview David Bernstein two years ago, when he was in situ as chair of the FA, and he couldn’t tell me a single initiative that they were working on in mental health.”
Two weeks ago Clarke helped Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg launch the Mental Health Charter for Recreation and Sport. The FA are among those to have signed up to it but Clarke says: “I really am reluctant to give them a pat on the back because all it is is a charter to ask organisations to look at what they are doing and to acknowledge mental health as an issue.
March 30, 2015
The Tears of the Rajas by Ferdinand Mount – book review: The brutality of British imperialism is skilfully laid bare
The Independent
What makes it exceptional is that Mount has brilliantly woven his family history into the wider history
For much of his life, Ferdinand Mount has avoided discussing British rule in India despite the fact that between 1771 and 1909, more than 125 years, more than 20 members of his extended family, Lows, Shakespears and Thackerays, worked there.
Then a story of a great-great grandfather of Cameron and Mount (they are related) hanging civilians during the 1857 revolt, a war crime by our standards, made him realise the source was a book written by his great-aunt Ursie. It had lain unread on his bookshelf for 40 years. Now he read it, much else beside, and the result is one of the best histories of a much neglected period when the Raj was made and very nearly unmade.
What makes it exceptional is that Mount has brilliantly woven his family history into the wider history. So while John Low, the central character, is off stage for much of the first 150 pages by then we have had a very insightful look into the crucial first decades of the 19th century with Mount highlighting British double standards. So a mutiny by Indian soldiers is dealt with brutally but that by English soldiers lightly, even omitted from Victorian history books; adventures, like Stamford Raffles, dress up personal gain as for the good of the nation, and, it turns out, the Elgin Marbles are not the only stolen antiquities in the British Museum.
What makes it exceptional is that Mount has brilliantly woven his family history into the wider history
For much of his life, Ferdinand Mount has avoided discussing British rule in India despite the fact that between 1771 and 1909, more than 125 years, more than 20 members of his extended family, Lows, Shakespears and Thackerays, worked there.
Then a story of a great-great grandfather of Cameron and Mount (they are related) hanging civilians during the 1857 revolt, a war crime by our standards, made him realise the source was a book written by his great-aunt Ursie. It had lain unread on his bookshelf for 40 years. Now he read it, much else beside, and the result is one of the best histories of a much neglected period when the Raj was made and very nearly unmade.
What makes it exceptional is that Mount has brilliantly woven his family history into the wider history. So while John Low, the central character, is off stage for much of the first 150 pages by then we have had a very insightful look into the crucial first decades of the 19th century with Mount highlighting British double standards. So a mutiny by Indian soldiers is dealt with brutally but that by English soldiers lightly, even omitted from Victorian history books; adventures, like Stamford Raffles, dress up personal gain as for the good of the nation, and, it turns out, the Elgin Marbles are not the only stolen antiquities in the British Museum.
March 25, 2015
Katrien Meire: I’ve had frightening abuse from Charlton fans… but I love leading role
Katrien Meire, Charlton’s chief executive, can smile again. Six weeks ago her club were 20th in the Championship but five wins in six games has seen them rise to 11th.
“I am very happy,” says Meire with a loud laugh. “Okay, in January, we had to dismiss the manager, Bob Peeters, and bring in Guy Luzon. But we know we made the right decision. Now I am really enjoying myself.”[image error]
“I am very happy,” says Meire with a loud laugh. “Okay, in January, we had to dismiss the manager, Bob Peeters, and bring in Guy Luzon. But we know we made the right decision. Now I am really enjoying myself.”[image error]
March 17, 2015
Graham Gooch: Kevin Pietersen did some great things for England… but bringing him back would be a mistake
Today Paul Downton was facing questions at Lord’s about the World Cup humiliation.
There has been speculation that the managing director’s job is on the line and that head coach Peter Moores is also under threat.
England’s miserable pool stage exit has also renewed talk that Kevin Pietersen could be recalled despite being effectively sacked from the team in February 2014 and having since published a controversial autobiography in which he criticised some of his former team-mates and management.
After the Ashes debacle, Downton described Pietersen as being “disconnected” from the team. Now the thinking is that he needs to be re-connected if England are to have any chance of regaining the Ashes this summer.
But, for Graham Gooch, Pietersen is not the answer. “I wouldn’t bring Pietersen back,” says the former England captain and batting coach. “I would question whether he would have made that much of a difference in the World Cup. His record for England over his career has been box office. But his performances in ODI cricket before this tournament weren’t special. Kevin Pietersen did some great things for England, make no mistake. But now it’s time to move on.”[image error]
There has been speculation that the managing director’s job is on the line and that head coach Peter Moores is also under threat.
England’s miserable pool stage exit has also renewed talk that Kevin Pietersen could be recalled despite being effectively sacked from the team in February 2014 and having since published a controversial autobiography in which he criticised some of his former team-mates and management.
After the Ashes debacle, Downton described Pietersen as being “disconnected” from the team. Now the thinking is that he needs to be re-connected if England are to have any chance of regaining the Ashes this summer.
But, for Graham Gooch, Pietersen is not the answer. “I wouldn’t bring Pietersen back,” says the former England captain and batting coach. “I would question whether he would have made that much of a difference in the World Cup. His record for England over his career has been box office. But his performances in ODI cricket before this tournament weren’t special. Kevin Pietersen did some great things for England, make no mistake. But now it’s time to move on.”[image error]
March 10, 2015
Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier: Premier League is not in decline… it’s still the best
The Champions League resumes this week with English hopes very much in the balance.
At least Chelsea head into the home leg against Paris St Germain tomorrow as favourites but Arsenal and Manchester City both go abroad next week trying to overturn deficits.
Arsenal, like Chelsea, are facing French opposition in Monaco and the last-16 ties involving London clubs hold a special interest for Gerard Houllier.
The Frenchman managed his country as well as Ligue 1 clubs PSG and Lyon and won a cup Treble during six years at Liverpool.
Now living in Paris, the 67-year-old still keeps a close eye on the Premier League and insists that even if all three English clubs are knocked out at this stage there is no need to read too much into it.
“It wouldn’t mean the Premier League is declining,” he says. “The Premier League remains the top league in the world. The quality of the games is still second to none: in terms of pace, intensity of the teams, always wanting to win. Crowds see thrilling play and the Premier League remains, probably, one of the most spectacular leagues.”[image error]
At least Chelsea head into the home leg against Paris St Germain tomorrow as favourites but Arsenal and Manchester City both go abroad next week trying to overturn deficits.
Arsenal, like Chelsea, are facing French opposition in Monaco and the last-16 ties involving London clubs hold a special interest for Gerard Houllier.
The Frenchman managed his country as well as Ligue 1 clubs PSG and Lyon and won a cup Treble during six years at Liverpool.
Now living in Paris, the 67-year-old still keeps a close eye on the Premier League and insists that even if all three English clubs are knocked out at this stage there is no need to read too much into it.
“It wouldn’t mean the Premier League is declining,” he says. “The Premier League remains the top league in the world. The quality of the games is still second to none: in terms of pace, intensity of the teams, always wanting to win. Crowds see thrilling play and the Premier League remains, probably, one of the most spectacular leagues.”[image error]
March 3, 2015
Qatar 2022: At least the players will not be tired at the World Cup, says chairman of FIFA’s medical commission
Predictably last week’s announcement by a FIFA task force that the World Cup in Qatar should be moved to November and December 2022 drew widespread opposition.
Having accepted that searing summer temperatures ruled out a tournament in the traditional June-July window, the major European leagues had been hoping for an April-May event.
But Michel D’Hooghe, the chairman of FIFA’s medical commission, believes the move is right and says this decision should have been taken back in 2010 when the hosts were confirmed.
Qatar 2022: At least the players will not be tired at the World Cup, says chairman of FIFA’s medical commission
“I am not surprised by the recommendation to move to winter,” says the Belgian, who has been on FIFA’s executive for 26 years. “From the medical side, I am very happy.”[image error]
Having accepted that searing summer temperatures ruled out a tournament in the traditional June-July window, the major European leagues had been hoping for an April-May event.
But Michel D’Hooghe, the chairman of FIFA’s medical commission, believes the move is right and says this decision should have been taken back in 2010 when the hosts were confirmed.
Qatar 2022: At least the players will not be tired at the World Cup, says chairman of FIFA’s medical commission
“I am not surprised by the recommendation to move to winter,” says the Belgian, who has been on FIFA’s executive for 26 years. “From the medical side, I am very happy.”[image error]
February 28, 2015
Football’s short term horizons
Football's short term horizons
My father used to say that public memory is notoriously short. He was referring to politics not football but that holds very true for the round ball game as well. And herein lies a contradiction. There is nothing that arouses greater fury in football, both among the fans and the media, than the hire fire policy of chairmen and the board of struggling clubs. The moan is that the money men who always know the price of everything and the value of nothing want instant success and just do not understand that success in football takes times.
Yet this season has provided a classic example of how the fans and the media have made instant judgements about managers. In line with the dictum of modern football that the immediate is always the harbinger of the future at various times Brendan Rodgers, Louis van Gaal and, now Arsene Wenger, have been like rabbits in the headlights.[image error]
My father used to say that public memory is notoriously short. He was referring to politics not football but that holds very true for the round ball game as well. And herein lies a contradiction. There is nothing that arouses greater fury in football, both among the fans and the media, than the hire fire policy of chairmen and the board of struggling clubs. The moan is that the money men who always know the price of everything and the value of nothing want instant success and just do not understand that success in football takes times.
Yet this season has provided a classic example of how the fans and the media have made instant judgements about managers. In line with the dictum of modern football that the immediate is always the harbinger of the future at various times Brendan Rodgers, Louis van Gaal and, now Arsene Wenger, have been like rabbits in the headlights.[image error]
February 24, 2015
QPR boss Chris Ramsey: I’ve always known that I have to be much better than white managers
London Evening Standard
I am speaking to Chris Ramsey after a week in which racism has dominated the headlines.
First, there were the Chelsea fans abusing the black commuter on the Paris Metro and then, in another video, West Ham supporters were seen making anti-Semitic chants as they travelled to Sunday’s game at Tottenham.
“Racism in football has been parked, not eliminated,” says the QPR manager. “People are clever at finding a way to hide racism. I haven’t heard as much racist chanting as when I first came into the game [in 1978]. The only thing we can actually do is increase awareness. But it is not just a football problem. It is a social problem.”[image error]
I am speaking to Chris Ramsey after a week in which racism has dominated the headlines.
First, there were the Chelsea fans abusing the black commuter on the Paris Metro and then, in another video, West Ham supporters were seen making anti-Semitic chants as they travelled to Sunday’s game at Tottenham.
“Racism in football has been parked, not eliminated,” says the QPR manager. “People are clever at finding a way to hide racism. I haven’t heard as much racist chanting as when I first came into the game [in 1978]. The only thing we can actually do is increase awareness. But it is not just a football problem. It is a social problem.”[image error]
February 17, 2015
Dele Alli won’t lose his head now he is a Tottenham player, says MK Dons boss Karl Robinson
London Evening Standard
Karl Robinson is not given to making extravagant claims about the many young players he has brought through but the MK Dons manager is convinced Dele Alli is very special.
Two weeks ago, Tottenham agreed to pay an initial £5million for one of the most highly rated talents outside of the Premier League, although the 18-year-old is remaining on loan at the League One club for the rest of the season.
“I’ve heard people say he could be a Steven Gerrard or Patrick Vieira,” says Robinson. “He’s six foot two, a natural eight and there’s something about him: tremendous athleticism, tenacity and drive. He does most things. He’s ready. He has 13 goals and five assists, above any 18-year-old this League has seen. He also dominates games at an international level for his own age.”[image error]
Karl Robinson is not given to making extravagant claims about the many young players he has brought through but the MK Dons manager is convinced Dele Alli is very special.
Two weeks ago, Tottenham agreed to pay an initial £5million for one of the most highly rated talents outside of the Premier League, although the 18-year-old is remaining on loan at the League One club for the rest of the season.
“I’ve heard people say he could be a Steven Gerrard or Patrick Vieira,” says Robinson. “He’s six foot two, a natural eight and there’s something about him: tremendous athleticism, tenacity and drive. He does most things. He’s ready. He has 13 goals and five assists, above any 18-year-old this League has seen. He also dominates games at an international level for his own age.”[image error]
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