The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

Sheffield Wednesday keeper Chris Kirkland attacked on the pitch by a (sorry, Bubbler) Leeds United fan.

He was able to continue, but I do rather wonder what would happen if something like this happened, the player was unable to continue and the team had used all its subs. Surely it would have to be an abandonment/forfeit.

ETA: Just seen the video. Guy comes around from behind him and sort of shoves him in the face with two hands. Not a punch, but what you would do to push someone over, only to the face instead of the chest/shoulders. Bizarre.

 

Embarrassing.

 

Leeds fan attacks player during the game. Leeds fans chant in support of serial pedophile Jimmy Savile and throw seats. Leeds manager Neil Warnock accuses the attacked goalkeeper of going down "like a ton of bricks" and sends his team to applaud their fans after the game.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/oct/19/sheffield-wednesday-dave-jones-leeds-united

Dirty Dirty Dirty. Leeds Leeds Leeds.

 

Not defending what happened one bit, but Wednesday fans weren't innocent from what I've read. They were chanting about Istanbul (a Leeds fan was murdered by a Galatasaray fan when Leeds was in the CL in the early 2000s), which is a big-time sore spot for Leeds fans.

As for the Saville chants, I seriously doubt that was a majority of the Leeds supporters. (Probably anymore than the Istanbul chants were a majority of the Wednesday fans)

Still, it's embarrassing on a number of levels. Based on my Twitter feed, I'm pretty sure they know who the fan is. Saw his cell number posted.

Besides it being embarrassing, I'm pissed because it is likely Leeds will get sanctioned in some way because of the moron. Leeds is in the middle of the most protracted takeover ever, I hope this doesn't fuck it up. Moreover, I hope there's not a point deduction.

 

I can't believe the asshole wasn't arrested right then and there. I guess he ran back into the stands, and going in to drag him out would have incited something worse.

 

South Yorkshire cops are noted for their competence.

(And yes, this happened in front of the same Leppings Lane Stand at Hillsborough where the Liverpool tragedy took place)

 

Sir Alex goes on a rant yesterday about Reading's Jason Roberts refusing to wear a Kick It Out T-shirt ... and Rio Ferdinand refuses to wear one today.

Thought what Sir Alex said yesterday was ridiculous: You don't want to have sheep wandering off.

Yeah. Much better to follow blindly, because empty gestures are important, dammit.

 

Is there anyone aside from ManYoo fans who doesn't think Fergie is a wanker?

 

From Wahl.

@GrantWahl: Official: special 2016 Copa América will take place in USA, include all 10 CONMEBOL + USA, MEX & 4 CONCACAF teams http://t.co/w7Yk1riL

 

Awesome!

 

I'll go out on a limb and say that Gulati will at least consider sending a senior side to the Copa America this time.

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For our cricket crowd, a brief update on how USA Cricket is doing: http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/video_audio/587822.html?genre=41

 

I would TOTALLY read that...if I didn't quite Spanish class after 2 weeks in college.