The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

Portsmouth, meanwhile, are on the verge of being taken over by a supporters' trust. They only have to convince a judge to force one of the former owners to sell them Fratton Park for what it's worth (about £2.5 million), rather than the claim he holds (£17 million).

Alas, at £1,000 a share, I haven't been able to convince myself to stump up yet.

 

And Benitez is in until the summer, at which point Abramovich will get rejected by Guardiola and end up hiring Steve Kean.

 

Pompey needs your grand!

 

Uff-da! I bought 10 shares in Real Oviedo for less than a tenth of that.

 

Mark Clattenburg ... cleared.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9696732/Mark-Clattenburg-cleared-of-racism-charges-The-FAs-statement-in-full.html

Chelsea player (John Obi Mikel) who was part of racism accusation ... charged.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9696708/Mark-Clattenburg-cleared-as-FA-charges-Chelseas-John-Obi-Mikel-with-misconduct.html

Capping a fine week for England's classiest club.

 

It just amuses me to no end that Abramovich believes they are better off with Rafa than with De Matteo.

*giggle*

 

'Arry's in negotiations with QPR to replace Mark Hughes.

 

I just told the Chairman of my company that I was considering the Ukraine job. I assume that my boss will be fired and I will get his job.

 

Talk of expanding the Champions League to 64 teams and axing the Europa League. I like the alternate suggestion better, which is to give a CL place to the Europa League finalists.

That, if nothing else, would provide some motivation.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/nov/28/uefa-europa-league-champions-league

Expanding the Champions League sounds silly -- are there really 64 teams that people would watch try to become champions of Europe? People already call the group stage of the Champions League tedious. Offering a Champions League place to the Europa League winner would make sense, but would doing so for both finalists take the edge off the Europa League final?

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/nov/29/real-oviedo-spain-premier-league

 

Leeds plays Huddersfield tomorrow, a derby match, but I only bring it up because the derisive nickname fans have for Huddersfield is "Dog Botherers".

Why? Google up "Huddersfield" and "man claims he was sexually assaulted by a dog". Let the hilarity ensue.