France sponsors want their money back - Part 2

As reported a little over a week ago, three of the main sponsors of the French national team were demanding compensation for the repulsive behavior of the team during the World Cup while donning their logos. As if that was not embarrassing enough, the situation has only worsened.

Now, everybody wants a piece of the FFF. All twelve of the team's sponsors have agreed on a payment scale in which "there will be bonuses and penalties based on results and image," according to FFF vice-president Noel Le Graet. The sponsors can reward a 10-15% bonus if the team starts winning games and, in the process, conducts themselves like normal, civilized, human beings. If not, they will reduce their contributions by the same amount.

Does this not hark back to your childhood? I remember my mother offering me cookies and sweets when I behaved well. Obviously, time-out in the corner resulted from being a brat. This is exactly what has transpired in France, and it is so pathetic yet hilarious all at once.

If you act like a baby, you'll be treated like one. Come to think of it, I'd throw lots of money behind a Toddler XI to beat this current French squad any day of the week. Then the sponsors would pull the plug on France and the new fad in world football would be Pampers!

It could happen ya know...

Breathtaking free kick from Dani Alves vs Iran

Meaningless international friendless are, quite frankly, meaningless. And so, Brazil faced off against Iran in Abu Dhabi yesterday to wow the spectators, especially the Iranian supporters who were able to make the short trip.

Luckily for everyone in attendance, Brazil was playing, which meant the chances of a memorable highlight were about 100%. Only 14 minutes in, Dani Alves produced one with his right foot:

Nigel de Jong's ONLY career red card

Here it is ladies and gentleman. In an 18 year career, Nigel de Jong has broken more bones than Bruce Lee and put more players' careers in jeopardy than appearing on Who's The Boss. However, he has only ONCE been sent off from the field of play for his actions - and it wasn't even a straight red.

Waaaay back in 2006 while playing for Hamburg, De Jong dug his cleats into two Rapid Bucureşti players during a UEFA cup match. Both challenges are absolutely disgusting and in typical fashion, he is utterly perplexed the referee thought they warranted bookings.

Hm. Some things just never change.

VfB Stuttgart attend beer festival despite sitting bottom of the table

Sometimes, clubs set standards for themselves. And when those standards are not met, there are consequences - privileges are taken away. Case in point: Bayern Munich. After defeat in Dortmund and tumbling down to 12th position in the league, Coach Luis van Gaal canceled the team's annual trip to Oktoberfest for beer and bustiers. Understandably, the performances on the pitch did not warrant such reward.

Then there's VfB Stuttgart. Dead last in the Bundesliga. They have won a single game all season and lost six. A sixth place finisher last season, one would expect this horrific start to qualify as not meeting the club's preseason goals...not quite.

Instead of spending extra time training and working on fundamentals, or tweaking the existing tactics and formations, the team decided on a better course of action to raise their standard of play - BEER FEST!!!

So, the team set off for the Stuttgart Beer Festival prepared to drink away their sorrows and dine on bratwursts, knackwursts, potatoes, and sauerkraut. Players and coaches received warm welcome and applause from the 3,000 in attendance. Then the President got up to address the crowd, prompting a fury of boos and whistling. All he could muster up was, "We're gonna work our asses off to get out of the relegation zone."

Well said! You convinced me that's for sure. Especially since that "we" you speak of is sharing benches with the locals in a tent, drowning themselves in pints of beer. To me, that looks like working their asses off. Rumor has it they've already booked a trip to Disney World for the Christmas break, and plan to take an African safari when relegation is confirmed in the Spring. Isn't it just great being a loser?!


More pics to follow:

The 2010/11 Football Rich List

Four Four Two has released its annual "Football Rich List" ranking the wealthiest players, managers, and owners in England.

Not surprising, the top of the list has Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's name all over it. The Manchester City owner, with an estimated worth of £20bn, has brought in a new age of foreign ownership to the English Premier League and will undoubtedly ruin the sport as we know it (but that's a discussion for another day).

Today we celebrate the oil barons, oligarchs, steel magnates, industrialists, stock market kings, marketing magnates, mommy and daddy's lucky boy, adulterers, cheapskates, profit mongers, and any other term you wish to label football's rich and famous.

Before reading on, Four Four Two was kind enough to explain how they go about compiling these lists so they are as accurate as possible. Clearly we would be furious if they were £1bn off.

So without further ado, here are the top ten richest owners, managers, and players for 2010/11:

Anchorette Update

Karina Kvasniova is not only a beautiful sports journalist for La Sexta, she also happens to be born and raised in Lithuania - Spain's upcoming opponent in their European qualifier. "It is a luxury to play against the world champion," she explained in a recent interview.

She left for Spain to pursue a Masters degree in sports journalism and decided to re-settle upon completion.

Kvasniova claims basketball is Lithuania's biggest contribution to the sports world. I think she's just being modest...

World's closest stadiums

There is truly nothing like it - calling home just across the street from your most hated and reviled nemesis. You could argue that party lines are blurred when the stadia are so close, whereas places with grounds on opposite sides of the city make it easier to claim "your side of the tracks." It allows for social and cultural lines to be drawn between the clubs.

And to be honest I prefer it that way. But such proximity brings a different element the former does not have. Imagine walking to your ground having to pass your rival's stadium. Perhaps they are the more successful club, and purposely flaunt their trophies and accolades for all to see, especially their struggling neighbor. Imagine gameday when both teams host matches. Sub-consciously, each club and their supporters would hate to face the specter of losing when the other wins. The following work week would be hell!

Such proximity breeds more bitterness and resentment between the supporters - not the hatred and fundamental loathing rival supporters of different social classes would exhibit.

It's a tough way to live as a supporter, but fascinating nonetheless.  Here are the world's closest venues:

WAG Wednesday Part 4 - Cristina De Pin

Riccardo Montolivo has not scored many goals in five years with Fiorentina. Needless to say, the only score that really matters is his girlfriend, former playmate Cristina De Pin.

Things are looking up for the 25 year old - scoring twice already this season and being named the captain. It also doesn't hurt to have this little playmate waiting for you at home every night.

Cheers to you Riccardo! Now if you don't mind, here's more pictures of your lady:

World Cup champs receive their weight...in beer

Trophies...keys to the city...medals...videos...photos -  the spoils of war for winning the World Cup. But let's be honest, all these things will hang on the wall or sit in a case and remain untouched and unused for years to come. That is what winning the World Cup gets you? Nonsense!!

Thank heavens the Spaniards have other options. Cruzcampo, one la selección's main sponsors, has decided to reward their champions with a different type of memento. Something that won't collect dust and become obsolete in a year's time. Something that will generate continued celebration and debauchery for months and months to come - BEER.

Yesterday, one by one, the squad stepped onto the "beer scale," which measured their weight in kilos and converted that into liters. However much brawn you brought to the table determined the number of cases you walked out with.

In total, the team amassed 1,734 liters of beer. The most went to Basque striker Fernando Llorente, pictured above, weighing in at 94.6kg (approx 209 lbs). Poor little Jesús Navas who weighs all of 60kg (approx 132lbs) only went home with 180 beers...

Oktoberfest?! Pff. Looks like Novemberfest, Decemberfest, and maybe even Januaryfest are in order for the world champions. 

Mohawks ravage the city of Naples

Without question, Napoli's Marek Hamsik has the BEST mohawk in all of football. Hamsik, in all his kindness, brought a photographer to his hair appointment the other day to show us the process of creating such a masterpiece.

The story does not end there, however. Accordingly, others who frequent this hair dresser want to look like their hero and shark fin madness has broken out. Young boys can't take their eyes off autographed pictures of the midfielder hanging in front of them on the mirror, as the barber does his magic. Pretty soon, walking through Naples will be a dangerous proposition if you're looking to get your eyes poked out.

Then again, it could be worse.

More photos of Hamsik and the mohawk orgy after the jump:

WAG Wednesday Part 3 - Sylvie van der Vaart

The absolutely stunning and glamorous wife of Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart is today's treat. But before you all jump to the photos, let's do the right thing first

Van Der Vaart was diagnosed with breast cancer in mid-2009 and subsequently underwent extensive chemotherapy. She can now proudly claim to be cancer free. And as breast cancer awareness month gets underway this October, take a quick moment and learn something, and perhaps donate a bit to the cause.

NOW, enjoy the rest of the photos:

More trouble with the French squad

There is never a dull moment in the soap opera that is French football. This time it involves two well-known trouble makers - Karim Benzema and Lass Diarra. The Real Madrid duo arrived late to Clairefontaine where the French team is preparing for European qualifiers against Romania and Luxemburg. This came after Laurent Blanc had already postponed the deadline twice.

Blanc was understandably furious with both players who claimed to have missed their flight. He didn't buy it:

"If you miss your flight from another country, you will obviously be late. We are professionals and therefore must make sure we arrive on time for any flight. Benzema did not play in Real Madrid's match over the weekend, so there's no reason he should have arrived late."

Poor Blanc - a proven and successful manager who will no doubt bring the French team back to glory at some point. But not with these classless bums at his disposal. They have zero respect for the manager, the squad, or the institution. Self indulgence and individualism seem to be their only virtues.

When asked if the two would be sanctioned, the manager responded by saying:

"We already have players suspended. We're not going to throw stones at our own house."

HA!! In other words, he unfortunately has no choice but to play the pair since France has limited options and CANNOT afford to lose either of these games. Otherwise, it seems like he probably would have sent them home. And the last thing Blanc needs is more turmoil to tear apart the French team as he tries to rebuild it.

David Villa and Dwight Howard swap jerseys

Adidas just released a new advertisement for their official jersey of the NBA, featuring the World Cup champ and Dwight Howard. Howard congratulates Villa on winning the World Cup and subsequently switches jerseys with him.

It is amazing that Howard is even able to get the jersey on - the guy's shoulders are so broad I can only guess he needs to turn his body to get through doorways. Villa actually has some skill with the basketball, although I'm a bit upset he didn't wear his short soccer shorts. It would have been a fitting tribute to the good ol' days of the NBA.

Bolivian president knees an opponent in the nuts during match

It doesn't get much better than this. Bolivia's first indigenous president, Evo Morales, teamed up with his bodyguards and officials to face a team of political rivals which included the mayor of La Paz in a match to inaugurate new renovations to a stadium in the capital. As expected, the match devolved into a physical display of brutality after the ceremonial handshakes and smiles before the match.

Just five minutes in, Daniel Gustavo Cartagena caught the president very late and cut his leg. Not one to shy away from a rash challenge, the president approached Cartagena, showed him the blood, and promptly delivered a crushing knee into the unsuspecting opponent's groin.

By the time the match ended 4-4, two players had been sent off from either squad. One of Morales' bodyguards supposedly tried to arrest Cartagena after the match but the mayor intervened to prevent it.

Why can't these things happen in this country? Just imagine if W threw on some pads and a helmet to inaugurate the new Cowboys stadium a few years back...

Are Barcelona becoming Arsenal?

The concept seems preposterous, especially coming from a Barcelona supporter. Yet after watching Arsenal's display at Stamford Bridge followed by Barcelona's draw at home to Mallorca, you could not help but notice some cringing similarities between the flag bearers of beautiful football. And whereas during the past few seasons you could characterize the North London side as a Barcelona "B team" of sorts - an identical style of play but just a class below the Catalan giants - the first six matches of the La Liga season have revealed that the "A team" may not warrant the pleasure of such a title.

Top goals of the weekend

A great weekend for goals. Here's but a few of the best:

Weekend Couch Guide

All the matches available to you this weekend in the US. And you don't even need a satellite!!

Friday, October 1

2:30pm Hannover vs St. Pauli (GolTV)

Saturday, October 2
7:45am Wigan vs Wolverhampton (ESPN Deportes)

9:30am Hamburg vs Kaiserslautern (GolTV)

9:45am Sunderland vs Manchester United (ESPN2)

10:00am Tottenham vs Aston Villa (Fox Soccer Channel)

10:00am West Ham vs Fulham (Fox Soccer Plus)

12:00pm Udinese vs Cesena (Fox Soccer Plus)

12:00pm Birmingham vs Everton (Fox Soccer Channel)

12:00pm Real Zaragoza vs Sporting Gijon (ESPN Deportes)

2:00pm Real Sociedad vs Espanyol (GolTV)

2:00pm Crystal Palace vs QPR (Fox Soccer Plus)

2:30pm Parma vs AC Milan (Fox Soccer Channel)

4:00pm Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao (GolTV)

4:00pm Stoke City vs Blackburn – tape delay (Fox Soccer Plus)

Sunday, October 3

6:30am Lecce vs Catania (Fox Soccer Plus)

8:30am Manchester City vs Newcastle (Fox Soccer Plus)

9:00am Napoli vs Roma (Fox Soccer Channel)

11:00am Chelsea vs Arsenal (Fox Soccer Channel)

11:00am Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid (ESPN Deportes)

1:00pm Barcelona vs Mallorca (GolTV)

1:00pm Dortmund vs Bayern Munich

2:30pm Inter vs Juventus (Fox Soccer Channel)
3:00pm Real Madrid vs Deportivo la Coruña

3:00pm Rennes vs Toulouse (Fox Soccer Plus)

5:00pm Liverpool vs Blackpool – tape delay (Fox Soccer Channel)

Matches you can't miss this weekend

CHELSEA VS ARSENAL (Sunday, 11:00am Fox Soccer Channel)
What a better way to start your Sunday than a good ol' London Derby? Of course with Arsenal, questions and drama loom. Flappy Handski looks to start in net after "impressing" midweek. (Watch the replays again. It was a poorly taken PK that he saved and the shot he "pushed" aside wasn't pushed at all. He completely miss-hit the ball with weak hands and got lucky it went wide.) Fabregas and Diaby are in doubt as well. Would it make a difference though? We don't know how a full strength Arsenal would fare because they haven't been full strength in a decade. But based on what they bring to the table, and what Chelsea bring to the table, the Arsenal look to be outmatched. They've only beaten Chelsea twice in the past 17 meetings, and were demolished last season 5-0 on aggregate. I doubt we'll see any surprises. Prediction: 3-1 Chelsea comfortably.

INTER MILAN VS JUVENTUS (Sunday, 2:30pm Fox Soccer Channel)
Juventus, although they sit in ninth position, are only three points behind the leaders in what is an extremely even Serie A table. Can the old lady regain some momentum and start playing consistently? Last weekend was Roma's chance and they seized the opportunity over Inter. Something tells me the league leaders won't let up again, especially at home. Prediction: 2-0 Inter

RENNES VS TOULOUSE (Sunday, 3:00pm Fox Soccer Plus)
2 vs 3 in a battle for top of the table. Who would have thought these two would be battling for top spots at this point in the season? So sell the Ligue 1 short. Outside of Germany it has been the most entertaining league in Europe. Last year Rennes won their home leg 4-1 and lost away 3-2. So, I'll go with the home side for this one. Prediction: 3-1 Rennes

SUNDERLAND VS MANCHESTER UNITED (Saturday, 9:45am ESPN2)
The Black Cats already scalped Arsenal this season with a very late equalizer. Now come the kings of letting in late goals - Manchester United. The atmosphere will be cranked up and should be quite an enjoyable match. Prediction: 2-1 United

TOTTENHAM VS ASTON VILLA (Saturday, 10:00am Fox Soccer Channel)
Another edition of "who wants fourth position?" Villa currently claim fifth while a lackluster Tottenham of late sit only two points back in eighth. Tottenham is fresh off their Champions League spanking of Twente at White Hart Lane. Let's see if they're able to channel that European energy to an important league match against Villa. Prediction: 1-1

SEVILLA VS ATLETICO MADRID (Sunday, 11:00am ESPN Deportes)

First match for new Sevilla manager Gregorio Manzano. Atlético Madrid pose a stern test, currently sitting two places and two points above Sevilla. With Barcelona and Real Madrid off to stuttering starts, and Valencia and Villareal sitting 1-2, neither club can afford to drop points in this one. Expect plenty of open, attacking play. Prediction: 2-2

BORUSSIA DORTMUND VS BAYERN MUNICH (Sunday 1:00pm ESPN Deportes)
League leaders Mainz went into Bayern's house last week and beat them 2-1 to stay top of the table. Now the Bavarian outfit travels to the 2nd place team in the Bundesliga. If Bayern wants to remain optimistic about challenging for the title this season, they must win this match at Dortmund. Prediction: 2-2.