Mihir Bose's Blog, page 66
July 13, 2012
Terry case shows Football culture needs to change
PlayUp
The John Terry case probably should never have come to court, but this does not mean football, and particularly the FA, can relax. There is much that is wrong with the game, particularly the way the game is administered. The FA and, for that matter, the clubs, need to answer some hard questions and take a very long hard look at the game, and in particular, what they teach players about how to behave on and off the field.
It is matter for sober reflection that such a thought would have been unthinkable at the beginning of last season. But events since then have indicated that, for all the success of the Premier League, there is an undergrowth there that is far from pleasant, let alone one that could be a beacon to the rest of the world.
The John Terry case probably should never have come to court, but this does not mean football, and particularly the FA, can relax. There is much that is wrong with the game, particularly the way the game is administered. The FA and, for that matter, the clubs, need to answer some hard questions and take a very long hard look at the game, and in particular, what they teach players about how to behave on and off the field.
It is matter for sober reflection that such a thought would have been unthinkable at the beginning of last season. But events since then have indicated that, for all the success of the Premier League, there is an undergrowth there that is far from pleasant, let alone one that could be a beacon to the rest of the world.
July 11, 2012
Under-fire Platini finds task of effecting change cannot simply be achieved with one sublime, defence-splitting pass
Insideworldfootball
Poor Michel Platini. Do you not feel sorry for him? A wonderful footballer, he exchanges his shorts for a suit and becomes an administrator. Under his Presidency, UEFA hosts a European football competition that everyone says is one of the best in recent memory, if not the best ever.
The fears that it will lead to racist violence, and that players might even walk off during a match if they are racially abused, prove unfounded. The football is gripping, indeed so gripping that it brings back memories of great tournaments such as the Mexico World Cup of 42 years past. The Euros concludes with fascinating debates as to whether present-day Spain is better than the 1970 Brazil of Pelé and company and whether they deserve the title of the best football team ever.
Poor Michel Platini. Do you not feel sorry for him? A wonderful footballer, he exchanges his shorts for a suit and becomes an administrator. Under his Presidency, UEFA hosts a European football competition that everyone says is one of the best in recent memory, if not the best ever.
The fears that it will lead to racist violence, and that players might even walk off during a match if they are racially abused, prove unfounded. The football is gripping, indeed so gripping that it brings back memories of great tournaments such as the Mexico World Cup of 42 years past. The Euros concludes with fascinating debates as to whether present-day Spain is better than the 1970 Brazil of Pelé and company and whether they deserve the title of the best football team ever.
London 2012: Commercialisation of the Games
Voice of Russia, London
In just over a fortnight, the greatest multi-sport spectacle of them all comes to London. The 2012 Olympics have been welcomed by the UK government not just as a celebration of sporting excellence but also as a way of regenerating East London, boosting the national economy, and rekindling the nation's enthusiasm for sport. But even as the games draw closer, there has been a barrage of criticism.
In just over a fortnight, the greatest multi-sport spectacle of them all comes to London. The 2012 Olympics have been welcomed by the UK government not just as a celebration of sporting excellence but also as a way of regenerating East London, boosting the national economy, and rekindling the nation's enthusiasm for sport. But even as the games draw closer, there has been a barrage of criticism.
July 10, 2012
Carl Froch: I’m very honest. I don’t hype a fight to sell tickets
Evening Standard
Carl Froch should have little reason to complain. Twice winner of the World Boxing Council super-middleweight belt and holder of the International Boxing Federation super-middleweight title, he has a wife who is a glamour model and, as we sit in his kitchen in Nottingham, he plays with his son who has just celebrated his second birthday.
But the man nicknamed the Cobra cannot conceal the hurt he feels.
Carl Froch should have little reason to complain. Twice winner of the World Boxing Council super-middleweight belt and holder of the International Boxing Federation super-middleweight title, he has a wife who is a glamour model and, as we sit in his kitchen in Nottingham, he plays with his son who has just celebrated his second birthday.
But the man nicknamed the Cobra cannot conceal the hurt he feels.
July 7, 2012
All Sports Show
talkSPORT
Andrew McKenna & Olympic medallist Katherine Merry round-up of all the week's Olympics stories as the countdown to London 2012 is almost over.
Click here to listen to the programme (Note: The section with Mihir begins at 4:37 in the 20:00 - 20:30 section)
Andrew McKenna & Olympic medallist Katherine Merry round-up of all the week's Olympics stories as the countdown to London 2012 is almost over.
Click here to listen to the programme (Note: The section with Mihir begins at 4:37 in the 20:00 - 20:30 section)
July 3, 2012
Spain 2012 vs Brazil 1970- the greatest team ever
PlayUp
There is nothing more satisfying in all sport than to proclaim a player or a team as the best ever. But the clamour for saying Spain 2012 is the best team the world of football has ever seen raises all sorts of issues. Not least, how do you compare teams and players from different generations?
In my memory, and I admit it goes back a bit now, no football team will ever compare with that of Brazil in 1970. Yes, you could say that this is my memory playing tricks and a reluctance on my part to shed the romantic images I carry from my youth. I shall grant you that.
There is nothing more satisfying in all sport than to proclaim a player or a team as the best ever. But the clamour for saying Spain 2012 is the best team the world of football has ever seen raises all sorts of issues. Not least, how do you compare teams and players from different generations?
In my memory, and I admit it goes back a bit now, no football team will ever compare with that of Brazil in 1970. Yes, you could say that this is my memory playing tricks and a reluctance on my part to shed the romantic images I carry from my youth. I shall grant you that.
Hodgson’s man-management skills, not grasp of language, will determine his success with England
Insideworldfootball.biz
Monday, 02 July 2012
Fabio Capello's dig at Wayne Rooney that the England star striker only understands "Scottish" has raised a few hackles. It was in response to comments by Rooney that under Roy Hodgson there are no language problems in the English team.
This has generated much debate about whether a team can perform well unless players and managers share a common language. The Italian, who has been criticised for not learning English, was clearly getting his own back – and, I suspect, also having a joke at Rooney's expense.
Monday, 02 July 2012
Fabio Capello's dig at Wayne Rooney that the England star striker only understands "Scottish" has raised a few hackles. It was in response to comments by Rooney that under Roy Hodgson there are no language problems in the English team.
This has generated much debate about whether a team can perform well unless players and managers share a common language. The Italian, who has been criticised for not learning English, was clearly getting his own back – and, I suspect, also having a joke at Rooney's expense.
Reading owner Anton Zingarevich: Premier League were wary of me after trouble at Blackburn
Reading’s Russian backer reveals his plans to significantly grow club and how takeover was affected by Venky’s ownership at Ewood Park
Evening Standard
Anton Zingarevich has major plans for Reading as the Championship winners look forward to their return to the Premier League.
Nothing odd in that — all new owners come with such ideas. What makes the Russian refreshingly different is that, compared to most other rich foreign backers in the Premier League such as Roman Abramovich, Sheikh Mansour or the Glazers, he has not taken the vow of a trappist monk.
Evening Standard
Anton Zingarevich has major plans for Reading as the Championship winners look forward to their return to the Premier League.
Nothing odd in that — all new owners come with such ideas. What makes the Russian refreshingly different is that, compared to most other rich foreign backers in the Premier League such as Roman Abramovich, Sheikh Mansour or the Glazers, he has not taken the vow of a trappist monk.
June 26, 2012
Charlotte Edwards: I’m gutted cricket is not in the Olympics
England captain says women’s game would get a huge boost from extra exposure
Evening Standard
For all the success Charlotte Edwards has had as captain of the England women’s cricket team, she will feel wretched as she watches the London Olympics.
“I would be lying if I said I’m not gutted that I’m not involved in the Olympics. In years to come, Twenty20 cricket will be in the Olympics. But, by then, I won’t be involved. I just have to accept that I will have missed the home Olympics. Cricket at the Olympics would have raised the profile of women’s cricket in this country.”
The lack of profile is despite Edwards leading one of the country’s most successful sporting teams. England are holders of the 50-over World Cup, they won the Twenty20 World Cup in 2009 and go into the first match of the NatWest T20 series against India at Canterbury today on a winning streak of 14 matches.
Evening Standard
For all the success Charlotte Edwards has had as captain of the England women’s cricket team, she will feel wretched as she watches the London Olympics.
“I would be lying if I said I’m not gutted that I’m not involved in the Olympics. In years to come, Twenty20 cricket will be in the Olympics. But, by then, I won’t be involved. I just have to accept that I will have missed the home Olympics. Cricket at the Olympics would have raised the profile of women’s cricket in this country.”
The lack of profile is despite Edwards leading one of the country’s most successful sporting teams. England are holders of the 50-over World Cup, they won the Twenty20 World Cup in 2009 and go into the first match of the NatWest T20 series against India at Canterbury today on a winning streak of 14 matches.
June 21, 2012
Sport, particularly football, should not be served up as the panacea to society’s inherent racial ills
Insideworldfootball.biz
The European Championship once again raises the question of whether we are right in believing that sport, and in particular football, can reach out to society in the way nothing else can. The answer so far from the Euros is a chilling one: those of us who believe in the redemptive power of modern sport need to re-examine our beliefs – or at least ask if we do not need to prepare much better before we burden sport with this heavy load of transforming society.
The championship has been plagued by constant allegations of racism. They began even before the tournament began and have now led to UEFA charging Croatia with racist behaviour directed at Mario Balotelli (pictured below, in blue). It has raised the question: should UEFA have taken the competition to this part of the world?
The European Championship once again raises the question of whether we are right in believing that sport, and in particular football, can reach out to society in the way nothing else can. The answer so far from the Euros is a chilling one: those of us who believe in the redemptive power of modern sport need to re-examine our beliefs – or at least ask if we do not need to prepare much better before we burden sport with this heavy load of transforming society.
The championship has been plagued by constant allegations of racism. They began even before the tournament began and have now led to UEFA charging Croatia with racist behaviour directed at Mario Balotelli (pictured below, in blue). It has raised the question: should UEFA have taken the competition to this part of the world?
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