[NDGAARONDI]

(Original post by Economist)
I liked the double retake, about time the encroaching law was enforced, it's ridiculous how keepers in particular get away with it constantly

Should a penalty be retaken for encroachment by the goalkeeper if it was scored though? If it was saved I can see the logic.

[Kevmeister]

(Original post by NDGAARONDI)
Should a penalty be retaken for encroachment by the goalkeeper if it was scored though? If it was saved I can see the logic.

I think if it's scored then the encroachment is not relevant, with regards to opposing players[GK and outfield players]. It was the Chelsea players who caused the retakes at the weekend.

[Economist]

(Original post by NDGAARONDI)
Should a penalty be retaken for encroachment by the goalkeeper if it was scored though? If it was saved I can see the logic.

No, I believe the laws state that the referee should award the goal if either the keeper comes off his line or only the defending team enters the box given that it's scored unless the attacking team also enters the box in which case its a retake

[rorydaredking]

Anyone see in todays sun about Brasil possibly being banned from SA2010?
Something due to basically a team who got promoted fielding an ineligible player, the team who came 5th complained, Brazil FA did nothing/accepted a basically wrong excuse. Team who came 5th went to fifa, are basically in the right, and FIFA rules state that is an FA fail to punish a constituent team accordingly, that country will be banned from the next major tournament.
Highly unlikely they will follow through with it, but with presidential elections approaching, big fat sepp cant be seen to be bending the rules as he sees fit.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-Cup-spot.html

[RobbieC]

If they did ban Brazil, I'd not bother watching. Nonsense.

[good mermington]

I wouldn't expect this to be resolved, if it ever is resolved, until 2012 or something. No way will it stop Brazil going to SA

[Colonel.]

If Brazil were banned, the best World Cup group this year (possibly ever) will be ruined.

[Stu Laverty]

(Original post by RobbieC)
If they did ban Brazil, I'd not bother watching. Nonsense.

True, this World Cup already looks pretty lackluster without certain teams like Russia, Croatia and Sweden.

Not that Brazil will get banned, of course.

[NDGAARONDI]

(Original post by Stu Laverty)
True, this World Cup already looks pretty lackluster without certain teams like Russia, Croatia and Sweden.

Not that Brazil will get banned, of course.

Yeah, we get New Zealand instead of Croatia. Partly why I prefer the Champions League.

[Economist]

(Original post by NDGAARONDI)
Yeah, we get New Zealand instead of Croatia. Partly why I prefer the Champions League.

I think the qualifying organisation is dubious but then again it is for the CL as well. Rangers/Celtic instead of the 5th placed English team/any of the top 10 English teams etc.

[NDGAARONDI]

(Original post by Economist)
I think the qualifying organisation is dubious but then again it is for the CL as well. Rangers/Celtic instead of the 5th placed English team/any of the top 10 English teams etc.

Especially after Platini's reforms but, on the whole, I still think the Champions League is better, though I do think the qualifying organisation is a bit **** before and after Platini's reforms.

[white_haired_wizard]

Anyone else seen the goals of the week and month on Sky Sports News today? Absolutely immense - there was a superb team goal, a great layoff for the finish, which was out of this ****ing world. Lower league goal, I forget the teams involved. I need to see these goals again

[Rock Fan]

The festive fixtures
Saturday, 26 December 2009
Birmingham v Chelsea, 12:45
Burnley v Bolton, 14:00
Fulham v Tottenham, 13:00
Liverpool v Wolverhampton, 17:30
Man City v Stoke, 15:00
Sunderland v Everton, 15:00
West Ham v Portsmouth, 13:00
Wigan v Blackburn, 15:00

Sunday, 27 December 2009
Arsenal v Aston Villa, 13:30
Hull v Man Utd, 16:00

Monday, 28 December 2009
Blackburn v Sunderland, 15:00
Chelsea v Fulham, 15:00
Everton v Burnley, 15:00
Stoke v Birmingham, 15:00
Tottenham v West Ham, 12:45
Wolverhampton v Man City, 19:45

Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Aston Villa v Liverpool, 19:45
Bolton v Hull, 20:00

Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Man Utd v Wigan, 20:00
Portsmouth v Arsenal, 19:45

[Jim-ie]

Fulham v Spuds, City v Stoke, Arsenal v Villa are my picks tbh

[James_mcfc]

Call me mad but I'm looking forward to boxing day more than christmas itself. :P

[Colonel.]

Boxing Day fixtures over The Gruffalo?

Shame on you.

[Ascient]

If you haven't already seen it, please take a look at this announcement inviting nominations for a new Sports mod. We obviously value your input very highly and it'd be great to get someone in who you all think would do a great job to continue to improve our forum.

And a happy festive season to you all too!

[NDGAARONDI]

Nominated.

[white_haired_wizard]

Just don't have the time but I would abuse the power fo' sure.

To quote GW Bush, "if this was a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator"

[Colonel.]

I obviously best man for the job.