Search results matching tag 'Arsenal'

Cheats shouldn't propser, but suspending Eduardo is beggars belief

1715701 — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:31:00 GMT

European football's governing body has finally lost the plot.

Today Brazilian/Croatian striker Eduardo has been banned for two games for 'simulation' during Arsenal's return leg against Celtic last week.

A can of worms has now well and truely been opened.

I think any true fan would agree that something needs to be done about diving, but this ban has come completely out of the blue.

UEFA have deemed it worthy to judge the player well after the event, and yet we're unwilling to take a second look at the sending off Manchester United's Darren Fletcher in last year's semi-final - a decision that cost the Scot a place in the final against Barcelona.

Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger says he will now contest every dubious decision from here on in. And who can blame him?

UEFA should have used the Eduardo dive as an opportunity to reconsider the introduction of video technology. There isn't a single sport that I think of that has introduced video replays that has been the worse off for it

Should football prove any different they could always get rid of it. But they simply won't know until they've tried it.

Shaquille O'Neal: The personification of 'Sport-tainment'

1715701 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:10:00 GMT

The lines between sport and entertainment have become more blurred over the years, not only in US – where the SuperBowl half-time show seems to generate as much interest as the game itself - but also in the UK.

I’m told that behind closed doors, Arsenal FC now refer to themselves as a sports entertainment brand.

But this clip seems to suggest we have some way to go (thankfully) before catch we up to the Americans.

Seven-foot two-inch, Shaquille O’Neal is a basketball legend. And his entrance to the 2009 NBA All-Star game – a clash between the best players from the Eastern and Western Conferences – is a sight to behold.

' mce_href=''>Shaq with Jabbawockeez.

I wonder if there’s a place for this in the UK sports market?

Abramovich, Pavlychenko and Arshavin are all crooks - or at least that's what these New York City detectives seem to think

1715701 — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:20:00 GMT

Do those American TV drama writers know something we don’t?

It would appear fans of London clubs Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal should be concerned about the activities of their Russians – Roman Abramovich, Roman Pavlychenko and Andrei Arshavin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4oVU2zy1QQ

Unfortunately for Arsenal fans there is a ‘no refund policy’ for items bought in the January sale…

Arsenal to offer fans replays at the Emirates through Sony PSP. But is it wise?

1715701 — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:28:00 GMT

From next year Arsenal fans will be able to watch highlights of the match they are watching at the club’s Emirates stadium through Sony’s handheld games console the PSP.

Fans will be able to watch the match on a five-second delay, the idea being that supporters needn’t miss out on replays they would have access to if watching the game at home or in the pub.

Sounds great – but how responsible is it? Currently most football clubs have huge screens on which they show replays of near misses and goals.

But never would a club dare show a replay of a disallowed goal, a penalty shout that’s been turned down or a vicious foul for fear of crowd violence.

Be a Gooner, Be a Giver

1715701 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:45:00 GMT

I’m not an Arsenal fan. And even less so after Robin van Persie ruined my weekend with that offside goal at the Bridge earlier this month. But credit where credit is due.

Later this month, Arsenal - which earlier this season had its players wear poppies on their shirts ahead of Remembrance Day - will dedicate its Premiership match versus Liverpool FC to its chosen charity Teenage Cancer Trust.

The campaign asks fans to ‘Be a Gooner. Be a Giver’ on Sunday 21December and includes a video starring the Arsenal players called ‘Do What I Say’ which shows the players lending support to young cancer patients.

The ads, shot by Brothers and Sisters, include a voiceover from Arsenal fan and Little Britain star Matt Lucas and will feature on this website – www.beagoonerbeagiver.org - through which fans can make a donation.

Finally, the Arsenal players have committed to giving a day’s wages to the charity.

You may say ‘Well the can afford it can’t they?’, but I think it’s a generous gesture and (even as a Chelsea fan) should be applauded.