FIFA Club World Cup

[Fauxstralian]

More pointless football from FIFA which finishes within a month of the next Premier League season starting
On something called DAZN if you are interested… supposedly free if you register but presumably will be hounded for a paid subscription 

No network was interested in taking this … so in a clear field DAZN offered $1bn (ONE BILLION DOLLARS)
In an unrelated transaction the Saudi investment fund then took a 10% interest in DAZN for $1bn.
Shortly after FIFA awarded Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup

[zebthecat]

It is just a billion dollar exhibition tournement.
Gianni Infantino's Saudi owned anti-football fever dream.
Fuck it and all those involved.

[Keep dreaming]

I don't find this competition the very least interesting, and won't be watching a single match.

All I want is BS OUT

[Mike Oxsaw]

Somebody iterated on another post (or may even have been this one) that back when "the game was good" we has a football season and a cricket season - at least here in the UK. That worked.

Like the unpredictability of a cup competition with no seeding, a complete break from football added something to the game by taking it away.

Of course, those two things (and there are many more) that were good for the game, were bad for the game's sponsors, and suits don't buy themselves, especially in closed season.

If British clubs want to embark on out-of-season enterprises then they should only be allowed to do so as "an XI", not the real deal premiership squad. Sure, main squad players can travel as meet-and-greet ambassadors, but not play or train in public under any circumstances.

If fans (around the world) really (REALLY) want to see their favourite stars in action, in their proper environment, nobody is stopping them from travelling to the UK during the football season to watch them live, and in person - bit like a non-religious, personal hajj-lite.

If this competition is the authorities' answer to the complaint that there are (already) too many games at the top level, then they're either not authorities at all, or if they are, have no true idea about what they're the authorities of, let alone on.

[honky cat]

When I first saw this was happening I ignored it thinking it's just elite European clubs, but adding these bizarre Asian, African teams in, it might be quite entertaining.

Hopefully not another all English final like the last borefest.

[Eastside surge]

Just another excuse for the rice clubs to get richer , I find it all rather sickening to be honest 

[Sydney_Iron]

According to the Mail, its not going too well???

FIFA moving fans to face television cameras to avoid viewers seeing empty stadiums at Club World Cup as revamped tournaments fails to sell tickets.

Ticket prices have been slashed across the tournament, while Mail Sport reported that many of those who bought seats early have been given substantial part-refunds.

One seat map suggests that the last-16 match on June 28 will currently see Charlotte’s 74,867-capacity Bank of America Stadium split in two, with one side healthily populated and the other virtually empty. That game will feature the side which finishes second in Chelsea’s group take on the winner of a group which includes German giants Bayern Munich.

[ragingbull]

Bayern v Auckland should be interesting, Auckland would be equivalent to Colchester United??

[Takashi Miike]

It's a crock of shit but tbh I'd watch cats kick a ping pong ball around right now. So bring it on, there must be an underdog to follow. Maybe Esperance de Tunis?

How many more days until we're back . . .

the egyptian champions playing against messi's team tonight are apparently very good. they could spring a surprise

[Takashi Miike]

I think channel 5 are showing 23 (maybe 24) live games, including the opener tonight

[Fauxstralian]

It’s £100m for the winner
Would be worried if it was £1bn
Apart from the money the English winners are Liverpool & Arsenal as Man City & Chelsea will be knackered by Christmas 

[Pub Bigot]

It’s be nice if these so called big clubs (particularly Man City and Chelsea) fucked off and joined a permanent super-league. 

I joked in another thread that we’re not lucky enough to get relegated and we’ll be permanently lower mid-table for eternity, but it’s true. The boring top 6 will renew itself in the next couple of years with only Man United needing to sort themselves out now that the front-wheels have Frank in the dugout. Villa, Newcastle are literally years ahead of us, with the next block being Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth. We’re behind all of the above, and possibly Crystal Palace and Everton. 

I’d welcome to change to the league where the big 6 leave and the rest of us still have something to fight for. 

And yes, I’d welcome relegation. Some great away days, more honest football, often young and hungry British players, and a fixture schedule that doesn’t often change last minute to suit broadcasters. 

 

[honky cat]

It's a crock of shit but tbh I'd watch cats kick a ping pong ball around right now. So bring it on, there must be an underdog to follow. Maybe Esperance de Tunis?

How many more days until we're back . . .

[Mex Martillo]

I guess I might watch a couple of games if really free. I had a look at DAZN and at least in Spain looks like the more interesting games like PSG v Athletico Madrid tomorrow are pay to view.

More concerning is the winner gets $1bn (ONE BILLION DOLLARS) also from the Saudi's. If Man City or Chelsea get that pure profit they will be in a very nice spot to continue buying their way to glory!

FIFA is a corrupt bunch of cunts screwing our game up.

[Iron Duke]

Shit, meaningless tournament for fanboys held in a despotic country with very poor human rights.

The only remotely interesting bit is that Manny Lanzini is in the River Plate squad. Apart from that, I couldn’t give a shit.