Tamerlin - How does the financing of the Champions League and UEFA Cup work? I've heard that the CL pays each club for everything (hotel, travel, etc.), whereas UEFA Cup requires the clubs to pay. Therefore a club needs to get to the Semi-finals in the UEFA Cup to actually make any money.
- Where do you place the ref's call that ejected Shanon Boxx among the worst World Cup calls? The Brazilian fouled her!
Bobby – UEFA controls both competitions and generally owns the media (TV etc) and sponsorship rights. I say generally because my understanding is that the clubs are able to sell the rights to qualifying round games in the Champions League but all rights revert to UEFA once the group stage starts.
The home team gets to keep their gate money but I have no idea who pays for hotel, travel etc. I would be surprised if UEFA paid for hotel, travel etc as it would be easily abused. The prize money is allocated based on qualification for the group stage, points collected in the group stage plus how far the club progresses in the knock out rounds. The prize money is a combination of money from a general rights pool (sponsorship and TV) and money allocated based on the TV money generated domestically and paid out based on how all clubs from that country do. That’s why we get situations where Champions League runner up (or even beaten semi finalist) can be awarded more prize money than the actual winner.
There are also payments made to teams that are knocked out in the three rounds of qualifying. Here is a UEFA article that outlines the process with pay out amounts for 2006/07 for both competitions.
I stand to be corrected but I believe UEFA only sells TV rights from the last eight of the UEFA Cup on and before that the home club owns the rights. Sponsorship is limited compared to the Champions League. Clubs also keep the home gate so I think the stories of having to reach the semis to make money are far-fetched – after all if that was the case why would teams bother competing?
I didn’t watch the WWC so I can’t comment on the referee’s decision.
Yohann - Are you confident about Chelsea (in Champions League)? I feel like the Blues will have trouble finding the net, especially if Drogba isn't on fire like last year... They tied Rosenborg and are in a group that includes Schalke and Valencia, a team that has an extra motivation against Chelsea.
Bobby – I stand by my prediction. There are six games and a home draw against Rosenborg is not the end of the world. Schalke is average at best. Valencia are a good team with solid European credentials.
Ringo - Either Duncan Castles is now part of the inner workings at the Bridge, or he`s auditioning for a job with the Sun.
Bobby – I was a bit cautious on some stuff he wrote earlier as I was thinking the same as you. But based on the stuff he has generated lately and after listening to him on the GU podcast I would say that someone (or a couple of people) are feeding him a lot of inside stuff. Or someone who has now left was feeding him information!
MDMcAuley - Maybe you've been asked this before; but as the wise seer of all things Scottish and most things soccer, do you think Celtic and Rangers would consistently compete and stay clear of relegation if they were in the English Premier League? If so, roughly where would you put them in the table? Is there any serious interest in their managements in joining the EPL for financial reasons?
Bobby – Without a doubt over an extended period they would compete and would both be strong teams. Celtic and Rangers enjoy massive global support and with the money generated from playing in the Premiership they would both comfortably be in top ten after they settled in. The most difficult period would be the first year. Both clubs would jump at the chance to join the Premiership but it will not happen. Not because of UEFA or FIFA but because they would be taking the place of two English teams and you don’t find turkeys voting for Christmas too often.
Just a general comment about a UK side. Anyone who suggests such a possibility has no idea of history, culture and pride. There are more important things than winning. As for the Republic of Ireland taking part as well – a history lesson is badly needed.
Henry14 - q1 What do you make of the Flamster's impact at Arsenal, what have you made of him? l have to say l am changing my opinion q2 You predicted Chelsea as the champs at the end of the season are you ready to throw the towel that they will not retain? q3 Do you see Kaka staying at Milan if they keep not taking anything serious other than with a Champions League athem (sic)? q4 Spurs or Man City who is your pick now for fifth?
Bobby–1. Flamini has played very well and looks to have come of age. 2. No. I don't normally change predictions. 3. I must have missed the press release that said Milan was only taking the Champions League seriously. 4. I picked City to finish 12th and Spurs 5th. Two seasons ago after 7 games City had 11 points and Stuart Pearce was the saviour. They finished 15th. Two seasons on they have two more points and this time SGE is the saviour. The problem with a team having an unexpected good or bad start to the season is that we tend to project the trend as upwards and onwards.
However, there is not a lot of evidence to support that view and over time things average out. Yes, City have recruited some players who have made an initial impact but the rest of the Premiership isn’t sitting around in awe. They are looking at City matches and they are looking at ways to blunt their strengths and to take advantage of their weaknesses.
Craigyf - How long has it been since the top two in Scotland were both managed by Scots?
Bobby – Not very long given that both Smith and Strachan are Scots and with the exception of a brief French interlude it was McLeish and Strachan.
Craigyf - Marcotti on Super Pippo! – Really Gabrielle, how many games of Pippo have you actually watched? Saying that Pippo doesn’t fit in with Milan is akin to saying that Antipasti doesn’t fit in with an Italian meal. The article is basically tosh; Marcotti really doesn’t know what he is talking about. He scores goals for a living and does it with immense passion, obviously a dullard such as Marcotti doesn’t get football. Interesting choice of articles this week, some good and some are just awful, how do you pick them?
Bobby – Did you read the article? How anyone could interpret the article as anything but complimentary to Inzaghi beats me. The articles are chosen based on what I think readers might find interesting, or perhaps a contrary view that is worth considering. Based on your interpretation of Marcotti’s article on Inzaghi I can’t even attempt to guess which ones you think are good and which are awful.
popculturejon - This is a bit off topic Bobby, but stay with me. Would it be possible for a company like Nike to buy a small EPL club (Like Derby for example) before a WC (so 2009). Then sign a lot of American players and an American coach to try to get a squad together that plays every week and trains as a unit over a season? Granted, not all players would have to come from this project team, but it would give the US an advantage as far as team chemistry and EPL experience.
Bobby – Well Spons46 makes a very good and valid point – there are work permit restrictions to overcome. But beyond that you may (or may not) be surprised that such a notion has actually been put into practice a couple of times.
In the late 70s (?), Dynamo Kiev became the defacto Soviet Union national team. The experiment was abandoned after a couple of seasons. The same could be said for a large number of eastern-bloc countries before the Berlin wall came down. The sports ministries often used their power to allocate large numbers of national caliber team players to one or maybe two club teams. The great Hungarian national team of the 50s had a significant number of players from Honved.
However, the most relevant example is much closer to home. A Team America was fielded in the NASL around 1982 or 83 with the same logic as you sugested. I believe they played as Washington (maybe a NASL fan can confirm) and it was a disaster. Canada was ready to undertake the same experiment in Montreal but baulked after the USA plan bombed.
Ulsterson - Last night you talked about Kasper Schmeichel’s youth and experience affecting his performance on crosses and I think you mentioned his height (at 6'0", a good 4 inches shorter than his old man) on Friday. I agree, and there is, in my view, another issue of his game where his stature is also detrimental. This one more directly related to his father. The young Dane mimics a distinctive technique his father was famous for called the "starfish". Just as it sounds, the arms and legs splay out like an open jumping jack to try to make as big a target as possible. Peter used the maneuver if the ball was off the ground and he was too close to the anticipated shot to react, jumping before he had any real idea where the ball would go. It was quite successful for Sr., in part, because of his massive size, but because it required the size of Peter’s XXXL frame and of the risk involved in leaving the feet before the shot I don’t think it is often taught. From what I have seen, Kasper seems to rely on the "starfish" more than he should (it almost seems to be his default save, even when he is too far away from the shot for it to be prudent or even when the ball is on the ground) and his smaller stature leaves too much room for balls to get by. Watch the goals scored on him by Fulham and tell me what you think.
Bobby – Good point. If I remember correctly Schmeichel senior borrowed the move from playing in goal at handball or at least watching the sport. Before I heard that I was in Atlanta for the 1996 Olympics and took in a handball game one day. I was surprised to see (what I thought to be) the goalkeepers pulling off Peter Schmeichel style saves! I guess I got it the wrong way round.
Ian Bell with a scathing article to kick off the European season.
An interesting piece on Sven’s record as a club manager.
An article on Marcus Hahnemann – of the three US keepers playing in the Premiership the one that receives the least amount of press coverage. Writen before his Old Trafford shut out.
Neophyte - Question for all the Arsenal supporters and for Bobby, why did Arsenal not keep Baptista? Do they think Adebayor is better than the "Beast"?
Bobby – Arsenal didn’t keep Baptista because apart from a couple of Carling Cup performances he didn’t play very well. Adebayor is quicker than Baptista, better in the air and is younger. Baptista is more versatile than Adebayor though.
Milanfan - Just wondering what you thought about Milan’s lack of acquisitions this summer. It’s strange that they are so complacent when they were pretty mediocre in Serie A last season, that is compared to the two seasons ago, last season they went down hill and I think that they will continue to decline a bit with their aging team. They have a great starting 11 but whole bench of players that don't really add anything.
Galliani came out and stated he will acquire one of 6 superstar players. Its seems that the names pretty much won't leave their clubs. Which one do you see coming or which one do you think would be the best addition to the Milan squad? Will they go down hill with the squad they have versus other teams in Serie A and Europe getting stronger?
Bobby – Is this the same Milan that won the Champions League last season as they went downhill? I’ll wait to see who they sign before dropping in my two cents worth. There is still a long way to go before the transfer window closes.
henry14 - q1. Martin O’Neill is highly rated and has an open cheque book from Lerner, what do you think will happen if Villa do not improve, because last year they were boos when they were awful and what do you make of a coach with that money signing Harewood? Q2 One pundit said that people are over hyping Man United signings, and he said so far the only signing that could improve them immediately is Hargreaves, Nana and Anderson will take two more years to be anywhere near very good Prem players. What is your take to such a quote? Q3 Drogba has had two or so years saying, he wants to quit Chelsea and he wants them to match his ambition, and it pops up here and then do you see Drogba at Chelsea in the next two years given his desire to play in another league? Q4 What do you make of Wigan signing of Sibierski and Bramble etc, should Wigan fans fear? Q5 Who is the best Prem player ever or rather since its inception? q6 Alan Curbishley came out to take a swipe at Fergie that he claimed Tevez had won West Ham relegation battle was that tongue in cheek and what do you make of the comments? q7 In one word will Tevez be a United player come August 31
Bobby – A1 – A loaded question and one that is largely unanswerable. What is the definition of not improve? Does that mean the same league position as last season? Does it anticipate a full squad all season or injury ravaged? I have a question back to you – what do you make of a coach who would sign Chris Sutton when he was virtually a laughing stock at Chelsea? O'Neill's strength is getting the best out of players and he likes big strong forwards. Harewood fits the mold. A2 – It sounds like a fairly good assessment to me. A3 – If he has been saying for two years then why is he still at Chelsea? Actions speak louder than words and I really think you have to be careful reading things into “interviews”. As for Chelsea matching his ambition I can only think he must have his eye on the position of All-Gallatic Emperor. Who in their right mind would claim that Chelsea is a team without ambition- give me a break. A4 – Relegation. A5 – Best in terms of what? Influence, scoring, defending, entertainment, success. Best is not an objective term. A6 – Managers say a lot of things when microphones are stuffed in front of them. In the bigger picture what they say almost always means very little. A7 – Maybe.
Henry14 - What is your opinion on Sven’s signing, l do not like the man very much but he has brought cheap and quality players.
Bobby – I wouldn’t underestimate Sven at the club level given his record in other leagues but I am not expecting Manchester City to be an entertaining side this season. Bianchi is a high risk signing.
Icemonkey - What's your take on Senderos and Walcott? I would be more than willing to give Walcott a chance, but I think that Senderos must Goooooooooooooo. Maybe we could loan him to an Italian side where he would get regular playing time, maybe that would help him. If not, he should have no future with a top-four club in any league.
Bobby – Two young players that we have yet to see the best of. I would be surprised if Wenger loaned Senderos out. If he thinks he has a future at Arsenal then he will keep him and work with him daily. If not, he will let him go.
The clamber by English fans and media to have David Beckham dropped after last summer’s World Cup has now been matched by the outpouring of support for his recall. Steve McClaren has now succumbed to both and in the process showed himself to have the integrity, sincerity and expediency of a third-rate sleazy politician.
Beckham made a convenient scapegoat for England’s poor performances in Germany and even at age 32 he did not deserve to be dropped by McClaren when he took over. Beckham rarely hurt England during the tournament while having a hand in the majority of goals that they scored.
However, upon his appointment as England manager, McClaren needed to distance himself from England’s disappointing showing at the World Cup and from his former boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. Eriksson and Beckham had become so closely associated in the public’s mind that the sacrificing of Beckham at the altar of short-sightedness was too much of a temptation for a man who seems to select a squad with both eyes on the next-day’s headlines.
In making the initial decision McClaren opted to satisfy the baying masses rather considering the long term implications of his decision. Now, he has not only made one wrong decision he has made two.
Is this England squad so devoid of quality that it needs David Beckham to beat the might of Estonia? Estonia, a country that has never come close to qualifying for a major tournament and so far in Euro qualification has played five, lost five, scored none and conceded ten. McClaren seems to think so as why else would he recall the Real Madrid star? What a message of encouragement and faith to the rest of the England squad.
But the implications of Beckham’s recall go far beyond the England team given that he will join the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS in a couple of months. Outwardly you can expect Galaxy and MLS brass to brag that this as an affirmation of their decision to bring Beckham to North America as it shows he is still a player of international class. But beyond the upcoming games against Brazil and Estonia, Beckham’s recall has the potential to cause havoc with the club's and the league’s plans.
When the decision was made to sign Beckham earlier this year it was surely predicated on the fact that his international career was ended and that his body and soul would be dedicated to MLS.
But given McClaren’s about-face it is difficult to see how he could possibly dump Beckham again before Euro 2008 qualifying is complete at the end of this year. That means that Beckham will miss games against Colorado Rapids, Chivas, Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls – all while being paid by the Galaxy.
It would also mean that should the LA Galaxy reach the MLS Championship game scheduled for November 18 in Washington Beckham’s availability would in doubt given FIFA regulations for international call-ups. England is scheduled to play their final and possibly crucial qualifying game against Croatia at Wembley three days later.
And if that is not enough to make MLS and Galaxy officials hyper-ventilate then how about the prospect of Beckham missing a month in the summer of 2008 at the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland?
Andrew Warshaw has an article on Just Fontaine who scored 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup.
Ewan Murray talks to ex-Scottish international and scorer of one of football's great World Cup goals Archie Gemmill. Gemmill sees parallels with Scotland's 1978 disaster and England's recent endeavour.
Writers from the Observer combine to produce their best and worst of the 2006 World Cup.
“United we stand, divided we fall” – England players begin to rip into Sven.
Denis Campbell writes about the task South Africa faces in meeting the standards set by Germany.
Gabriele Marcotti looks at one of the stories that will dominate soccer post-World Cup.
Channel 4 has a collection of quotes from the Italian squad.
Michael Walker on how Germany wants to keep Jurgen Klinsmann all to themselves.
Jon Brodkin on the best defender on view at this World Cup – Fabio Cannavaro.
Stuart James on the player who will be playing in the World Cup Final for Italy but who could have played for England.
According to Jason Burt Jamaica is willing to pay Sven Goran Eriksson over $5M a year to coach the national team. E mail to Jamaica – just flush the money down the toilet and get it over and done with. Burt also claims that Jurgen Klinsmann has turned down a USSF approach.
Claudio Ranieri on England’s demise and the issue of three central midfield players.
Michael Grant takes a look at the life and times of Sven Goran Eriksson’s time in charge of England.
Martin Jol has a look at the art of World Cup man management and he also provides some insight on the Ruud van Nistelrooy – Marco van Basten bust-up.
and a bit of fun...it might not be the best day to become a Brazilian but this website translates your name into “Brazilian”. I came out as # 5 - McMahisco. By using a couple of variables for my first name such as Bob I also got McMahildo and Robbiisco.
I will be watching the Good, the Bad and the Ugly tonight. The Clint Eastwood classic not today’s highlights.
Again thanks to all of you who take the time to visit the blog and to those of you who share your thoughts and opinions.
An article produced by Der Speigel earlier in the tournament on changes to the German squad’s attitude under Jurgen Klinsmann.
Der Speigel issued a World Cup special magazine that I picked up a few weeks ago. This article on their website was part of the special and looks at the German coach and I thinks it gives great insight into what Klinsmann took on. Written by Dirk Kurbjuweit, The Reviled Reformer is an appropriate title.
Are we 45 minutes away from a sensational draw.....or will ####mp;T recover to win?
I'm sure that all the old doubts about England are beginning to float to the surface of even the commited England fans.
Rooney and Lennon are up and warming up.
This England performance is so lifeless someone should call a priest.
Crouch has taken the robot dance to heart has decided to incorporate it into his play. He's having a stinker and it's not limited to him.
Free kick to England and a yellow card for Cyd Gray. Best chance for England as Owen gets free from the resulting free kick and fails to hit the target.
Rooney is on -please feel free to comment SAF - and so is Lennon. Owen and Carragher are off.
Paraguay's captain Carlos Gamarra put through his own goal with the game just underway and it turned out to be the only goal England needed.
English fans who expected a win and an entertaining performance. (Historical note - when England won the World Cup in 1966 Alf Ramsay was absolutely slaughtered for England's performance in the their first game a 0-0 draw with Uruguay).
Anyone Swedish and in particular Lars Lagerback the Swedish coach. Lagerback makes Sven look like a maverick.
It was a good day for....
English fans who were happy just to win and to start the World Cup on the right foot.
All of Trinidad and Tobago who pulled off a stunning draw against Sweden despite playing almost all of the second half with 10 men after left back Avery John collected a second yellow card.
Leo Beenhakker the ####mp;T coach who reacted to John sending off by pulling off an attacking player (Collin Samuel) and replacing him with Cornell Glen, another attacker. Glen then proceeded to rattle the crossbar and almost win the game.
Juan Roman Riquelme who set up both Argentine goals in their win over the Ivory Coast.
And the most overstated fact of the day...
Trinidad and Tobago is the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup.
Well that was a pretty dire second half. Paraguay was able to hold the ball in the middle of the park but they created virtually nothing. England, rather than putting this one away, sat back hoping that Paraguay might open the game up and throw players forward.
Three valuable points for England over what might turn out to be their toughest group opposition. Crouch picked up a yellow card so he had better behave in the next game against ####mp;T. We await Sven's comments on Owen's substitution.
Man of the Match - David Beckham, his contribution was limited but highly effective.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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