**Official Football (Soccer) Thread"

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Diego Lopez to replace Iker Casillas

Real Madrid has agreed to a deal to sign goalkeeper Diego Lopez from Sevilla on a four-and-a-half year contract.

Madrid swooped for the 31-year-old Lopez, a former player at the Bernabeu, following confirmation Friday that Iker Casillas could be out for up to three months with a hand injury.

Casillas will miss 8-12 weeks after undergoing surgery on a broken bone in his left hand Friday. The Spain captain went under the knife during an hour-long operation in Madrid after suffering the injury during Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarterfinal clash with Valencia.

Madrid medical chief Carlos Diez said in a statement on his club's website: "Everything has been phenomenal. Two screws were put in and the hand has been perfect. It has been a complete success from a surgical point of view."

Lopez, who is signed until the summer of 2017, came up through the youth ranks at Madrid and was back-up to first-choice keeper Casillas for a number of seasons while making his Primera Division debut in 2006 against Osasuna.

In 2007, he joined Villarreal and the Galician-born custodian established himself as one of the best keepers in La Liga during his five years at El Madrigal, during which time he was called up to the Spain squad and made his international debut against Macedonia in 2009.

Following Villarreal's relegation to the second division last season, Lopez joined Sevilla for a fee in the region of 3.5 million euros ($4.7 million).

Lopez has been in and out of the Sevilla starting lineup this season as he competed with 39-year-old club captain Andres Palop for playing time.

Sevilla confirmed Lopez's departure to Madrid in a statement on their website, adding: "Sevilla will now be left with Palop and Julian, the youth team goalkeeper of whom there are high hopes."

Casillas will miss both legs of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Barcelona, the Champions League last-16 tie with Manchester United and a host of La Liga matches.

Antonio Adan, who has been controversially picked by coach Jose Mourinho ahead of Casillas in a handful of recent matches, is now set to compete with Lopez for a starting berth at the Bernabeu.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...eplace-iker-casillas,-who-has-surgery?cc=5901

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

 

[Game Plan]

been a while since i popped in here



racism shows its ugly head in football again, this time involving Jozy Altidore and dutch fans

AZ's Altidore subjected to racist chants
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...et-of-racist-chants-in-dutch-cup-game?cc=5901

 

[DJCandle]

been a while since i popped in here



racism shows its ugly head in football again, this time involving Jozy Altidore and dutch fans

AZ's Altidore subjected to racist chants
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...et-of-racist-chants-in-dutch-cup-game?cc=5901

"I disagree with Altidore's decision. He and the club should have walked off. *
*
Additionally, when this happens, the club whose fans that are guilty should automatically forfeit the match if it has meaning such as a cup match. The offending fans will have very few places to hide when the scrutiny of both clubs, their own fellow fans, and everyone else is against them."

This.

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

<iframe frameborder="0" width="580" height="370" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xx5ii8"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xx5ii8_copa-del-rey-real-madrid-vs-barcelona-30-1-2013_sport" target="_blank">Copa del Rey - Real Madrid vs Barcelona - 30/1...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Bojan3321" target="_blank">Bojan3321</a></i>

 

[danladi]

I live in the states (Detroit, MI)....Does anyone know if DirectTV offers any coverage of the African Cup of Nations? I tried calling DirectTV but they're clueless.....If not, which website offers coverage?

 

[Ziongate]

I live in the states (Detroit, MI)....Does anyone know if DirectTV offers any coverage of the African Cup of Nations? I tried calling DirectTV but they're clueless.....If not, which website offers coverage?

WWW.ESPN3.COM is your most reliable network of choice.
You're welcome.

 

[PJN]

I live in the states (Detroit, MI)....Does anyone know if DirectTV offers any coverage of the African Cup of Nations? I tried calling DirectTV but they're clueless.....If not, which website offers coverage?

I'm watching on ESPN3, Cape Verde some straight ass bitches!

 

[Game Plan]

Just watched those highlights of the Copa del Rey....damn that looked like a good match. Wish I wasn't working for the 2nd leg....should be just as good.

Let's go Barca!

"I disagree with Altidore's decision. He and the club should have walked off. *
*
Additionally, when this happens, the club whose fans that are guilty should automatically forfeit the match if it has meaning such as a cup match. The offending fans will have very few places to hide when the scrutiny of both clubs, their own fellow fans, and everyone else is against them."

This.

Yea when I read that comment I agreed as well. But we know how FIFA is so I doubt they will implement anything like that, although they should

I'm watching on ESPN3, Cape Verde some straight ass bitches!

Looking forward to this Nigeria/Ivory Coast match tomorrow.

 

[Game Plan]

stadium lights went out during the fulham/united match

was actually kind of cool looking, the black with the light from the sideline ads glowing.

 

[DJCandle]

 

[heavyhand]

Its mali 1 south africa 1 looks like this might head to penalties

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Looks like Nigeria is back.

I always feel bad for Yaya though.

 

[DJCandle]

^ That was unexpected especially given Nigeria's run of form in the group stages. They'll probably raise it now.

Welcome back Super Eagles.

 

[DJCandle]

Pino, I don't think you want this guy at the Camp Nou.

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Pino, I don't think you want this guy at the Camp Nou.

They are also looking at Guaita from Valencia who they're facing right now.

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

<iframe frameborder="0" width="580" height="372" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xx9atj"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xx9atj_valencia-1-barca-1_sport" target="_blank">Valencia 1 Bar&ccedil;a 1</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/jordixana" target="_blank">jordixana</a></i>

 

[danladi]

Preciate dat

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

 

[DJCandle]

This fucking homosexual Cameron..

How he let that second goal in was inexcusable. He can fuck back off to Stoke for all I care.

 

[DJCandle]

At least some respite tonight.

 

[Majestic Lion]

LOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLL Ibra strikes again. (yes, it's satire.)

Following David Beckham's announcement upon signing a five-month contract with PSG that he will donate his entire salary to a Parisian children's charity, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced that he will donate all of his wages to himself.

"I heard Beckham's decision and it made me think," Ibrahimovic told reporters while on duty with the Swedish national team. "Who is most deserving of all of the money that I, Zlatan, am paid? The answer is Zlatan. The children of Paris are not leading Ligue 1 in goals this season. I am. I have 20 goals. The next best players have 12. Twelve! If anything, the children of Paris should be giving me even more money for having the privilege of being in the same city as my incredible quality. And so should David Beckham. Call it a Zlaritable donation."

The initial wave of praise for Beckham's charity decision last week quickly led to a backlash as French critics are now accusing him of donating his salary, signing a short-term deal and maintaing residence in England as a way to avoid the proposed 75 percent tax rate on France's top earners. But Ibrahimovic finds hypocrisy in this criticism.

"When I signed with PSG the politicians called my wages 'indecent' in a time when so many people are struggling, even though it is a lot of money that can be taxed and help the country," Ibrahimovic continued, while demonstrating Taekwondo moves. "Now Beckham gives all of his wages to a local charity and people call him a tax dodger. Both are examples of stupid people complaining about good things. It is a waste of breath. Like Pep Guardiola blowing up his own birthday balloons, which I then pop with an overhead kick the second he is finished. These people should be subject to a 75 percent stupidity tax payable to the Bank of Zlatan. Then they will have something to really complain about."



http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/socce...es-donating-entire-salary-065816514--sow.html

 

[nyeleman]

CAC trying to downplay what we all have known about how deep match fixing is, trying to pass the blame to asians. This is probably the worst kept secret on the planet , even how footballer using PED drugs is widespread.


European police blame Asian gangsters for match-fixing

uropean police forces revealed 300 new cases of potential match-fixing in The Hague earlier this week .
These 300 games, which were played between 2008 and 2011, are linked to 380 cases already uncovered in Europe.
"It is the same crime cartel in Singapore, no doubt about it," said Friedhelm Althans of German police.
The new games under question are mainly internationals played in Africa, Asia and Central and South America, and investigators feel there is a connection to those they consider are behind attempts to rig games throughout Europe......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21383423

 

[DJCandle]

This match fixing is running rampant. Even traces of it here in the United States.


OTL reports on U.S. links to match-fixing allegations

Was this game fixed?

According to a report from Outside the Lines, there’s a possibility that it was one of a number of El Salvadorian national team games influenced by the gambling ring from earlier this week. If true: wow.

Sure, it was a meaningless friendly on a February evening in 2010. But you don’t think about match-fixing tainting games played by the United States national team, do you? You might have to start.

The Outside the Lines investigation — which came together impressively quickly — offers some details into how and why the crime syndicate targeted El Salvadorian players. It also says that in addition to this friendly, an El Salvador-Mexico match in the Gold Cup may have been fixed. Not great all around.

We’ll probably never know the truth behind this game or many of the others. The will to do something about gambling, to clean up the sport, seems limited despite the revelations earlier this week and the ones that will continue to trickle out. All we can do is guess and hope something changes for the better.

As for the match in Tampa, the highlights show the U.S. missing chance after chance after chance in the late stages of the game, then capitalizing on a soft turnover in the 92nd minute to take the victory. Draw your own conclusions.

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

 

[DJCandle]

 

[MadWun]

Naija all the way today!!!

 

[MCP]

Robin Who???

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

 

[DJCandle]

Robin Who???

 

[wbmustang]

12 Points Clear
Title number 20 should be on the way
Lets get it against Madrid .... I'm nervous though

 

[DJCandle]

12 Points Clear
Title number 20 should be on the way
Lets get it against Madrid .... I'm nervous though

As for Wednesday, no need for nerves mate. I feel like we're in the better position going into this one even with our defensive issues and the "underdog" title.

Outside of CR7, they seem to be struggling. Their well cited lockerroom bustups, their 16 pt trail behind league leaders, and most importantly their recent outings at Granada, Valencia, Barcelona show that there's more going on behind the scenes with that club.

While i'm sure they're gonna stand up for this match at home, I still see us advancing from this tie. (not just Wednesday's match)

I for one would like to see Phil Jones deployed again to help Rafael, and Valencia contain CR7. If the mindset is, "eliminate CR7, and let the rest of the white shirts beat us...", i'm confident we can cope.

I also want to see how Ramos/Varane/Pepe are going to cope with the combination of either RVP, Rooney, Kagawa, Welbeck or Chicharito. IMO, that defense is going to leak goals somewhere throughout that mix.

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

 

[wbmustang]

As for Wednesday, no need for nerves mate. I feel like we're in the better position going into this one even with our defensive issues and the "underdog" title.

Outside of CR7, they seem to be struggling. Their well cited lockerroom bustups, their 16 pt trail behind league leaders, and most importantly their recent outings at Granada, Valencia, Barcelona show that there's more going on behind the scenes with that club.

While i'm sure they're gonna stand up for this match at home, I still see us advancing from this tie. (not just Wednesday's match)

I for one would like to see Phil Jones deployed again to help Rafael, and Valencia contain CR7. If the mindset is, "eliminate CR7, and let the rest of the white shirts beat us...", i'm confident we can cope.

I also want to see how Ramos/Varane/Pepe are going to cope with the combination of either RVP, Rooney, Kagawa, Welbeck or Chicharito. IMO, that defense is going to leak goals somewhere throughout that mix.

You are right about Phil Jones though. He clearly shut down Bale in the Spurs game and Fellaini in the Everton game. The only thing I get concerned is if Jones is able to keep up with the pace of CR7. But, with Valencia and Rafael helping it should be better.