The Z Machine
Footballguy
Surprised Sevilla isn't favored. They have been playing poorly lately though.
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ramsay Hunt Experience
- Start date
The Gator
Footballguy
Roma/Wolfburg/City is a relatively easy path, but City is good enough to win. Two good matchups with inconsistent but extremely talented teams and the best offensive/defensive squads in the world.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Qatar 2022 may be less of a done deal than we’ve been told.
An independent report commissioned by FIFA on the organization’s humanitarian responsibilities has made sweeping pronouncements on how football’s governing body should use its position and leverage to push for stronger human rights standards. One point that stands out is a call for FIFA to reevaluate the viability of holding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The report— authored by John Ruggie, an international affairs and human rights professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government— pointed to Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers brought over to build stadia and infrastructure in advance of the tournament. The plight of these migrant workers has come under examination from a wide range of organizations, from NGOs to media outlets to the United Nations.
The internal report makes it clear that FIFA must do more to address human rights abuses in World Cup host countries, as well as walk the walk. “The foundational shift for Fifa now is to go beyond putting words on paper and adding new administrative functions. What is required is a cultural shift that must affect everything Fifa does and how it does it.”
Some recommendations in the report include incorporating human rights standards in its criteria for considering host countries and setting explicit humanitarian requirements for Local Organizing Committees.
The report comes as Qatar comes under renewed scrutiny and criticism. A report from Amnesty International released a few weeks ago sharply condemned Qatar’s ongoing mistreatment of migrant workers as well as FIFA’s seeming indifference to the situation. Meanwhile, the United Nations has given Qatar 12 months to stop exploiting migrant workers or else face a formal inquiry.
Ruggie’s reported noted that there are limits to FIFA’s power but that the organization has a lot of leverage and resources to push for basic human rights standards. “FIFA can’t impose human rights on countries but in return for hosting a tournament there are certain human rights to which you should have to adhere. If you can’t, you have to make tough decisions. That may include having to terminate an existing relationship.”
Recently-elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino hailed the report as an important first step and said that the organization remains committed to human rights. “This is an ongoing process and of course challenges remain but FIFA is committed to playing its part in ensuring respect for human rights and to being a leader among international sports organisations in this important area.”
FIFA’s head of sustainability Federico Addiechi echoed that sentiment. “As the governing body of the most popular sport in the world, we have a responsibility in regard to human rights and in terms of how we go about developing the game of football and organising our competitions. Beyond that, FIFA is committed to using its leverage to ensure respect for human rights.”
An independent report commissioned by FIFA on the organization’s humanitarian responsibilities has made sweeping pronouncements on how football’s governing body should use its position and leverage to push for stronger human rights standards. One point that stands out is a call for FIFA to reevaluate the viability of holding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The report— authored by John Ruggie, an international affairs and human rights professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government— pointed to Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers brought over to build stadia and infrastructure in advance of the tournament. The plight of these migrant workers has come under examination from a wide range of organizations, from NGOs to media outlets to the United Nations.
The internal report makes it clear that FIFA must do more to address human rights abuses in World Cup host countries, as well as walk the walk. “The foundational shift for Fifa now is to go beyond putting words on paper and adding new administrative functions. What is required is a cultural shift that must affect everything Fifa does and how it does it.”
Some recommendations in the report include incorporating human rights standards in its criteria for considering host countries and setting explicit humanitarian requirements for Local Organizing Committees.
The report comes as Qatar comes under renewed scrutiny and criticism. A report from Amnesty International released a few weeks ago sharply condemned Qatar’s ongoing mistreatment of migrant workers as well as FIFA’s seeming indifference to the situation. Meanwhile, the United Nations has given Qatar 12 months to stop exploiting migrant workers or else face a formal inquiry.
Ruggie’s reported noted that there are limits to FIFA’s power but that the organization has a lot of leverage and resources to push for basic human rights standards. “FIFA can’t impose human rights on countries but in return for hosting a tournament there are certain human rights to which you should have to adhere. If you can’t, you have to make tough decisions. That may include having to terminate an existing relationship.”
Recently-elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino hailed the report as an important first step and said that the organization remains committed to human rights. “This is an ongoing process and of course challenges remain but FIFA is committed to playing its part in ensuring respect for human rights and to being a leader among international sports organisations in this important area.”
FIFA’s head of sustainability Federico Addiechi echoed that sentiment. “As the governing body of the most popular sport in the world, we have a responsibility in regard to human rights and in terms of how we go about developing the game of football and organising our competitions. Beyond that, FIFA is committed to using its leverage to ensure respect for human rights.”
sho nuff
Footballguy
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
This seems like a good draw with some fresh match ups. I think City and Real played a very close tie several years ago, right? I recall a late Ronaldo goal and a sliding Mourinho celebration perhaps. I don't remember Atletico playing Bayern.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Chelsea U19s will defend their title in the UEFA Youth league final on Monday against the winner of Real Madrid v PSG. US-eligible Kyle Scott started for CFC in the win earlier today, 3-0 over Anderlecht.
Ramsay Hunt Experience
Footballguy
Simeone vs. Pep's Bayern is the matchup I think we all wanted. Tough to judge City/Real. City is just a different team with De Bruyne.
LAUNCH
Footballguy
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
Atlético v Bayern
• Atlético and Bayern have met only twice - both in the 1974 European Cup final. The Spanish side were seconds away from taking the trophy before Georg Schwarzenbeck's 120th-minute equaliser gave Bayern a 1-1 draw; two days later, the German club won the replay 4-0 to take the trophy for the first time.
• Atlético are unbeaten in their last five home matches against German clubs (W4 D1) going back to a 1-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the 1996/97 group stage.
• Atlético have lost just one of their last seven games against German clubs.
• Bayern have the first lost in Spain in the semi-finals in each of the last two seasons, going down 1-0 at Real Madrid in 2013/14 (0-5 aggregate) and 3-0 at Barcelona last year (3-5 aggregate).
• The German club have won only two of their last 12 trips to Spain, losing eight.
• Atlético's European Cup semi-final record is W2 L2; Bayern's is W10 L7.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Odd that Bayern and Atletico haven't played each other since 1974. Should be a great tie.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Atlético sucked for a lot of that time and even got relegated in 2000 (even with 24 goals in all competitions from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink). It's been quite a road back since then. El Niño was a revelation when he came into the side (since back in the top flight) in 2002. Now, he's much less of a niño, but is still a part of the team. Obviously, that plays a role into whether he'll remain at Atlético next season, when he'll be 33.CletiusMaximus said:
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
I know it's cliche to love the plummy English announcers, but they are so much better with the English language (yeah, it's right there in the name) than Americans. Every Saturday I notice them picking the perfect word on the fly to describe what just happened.
gianmarco
Footballguy
Completely agree. I forgot which match I was watching this week, but the announcer goes "Invitation given to XXXXX to score. Invitation accepted."
Just so perfect.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Barça needs 3 points this week as Real dropped the hammer on Getafe already to be only 1 point back.
No pressure, blaugrana.
No pressure, blaugrana.
Kafka
Footballguy
I cannot get over how poor a manager Martinez has been for Everton. Everytime I watch them, I'm amazed at how flat they look, & there never seems to be any tactical direction or structure; it's almost like Roberto says "Hey, guys, let's play!" With all that talent at his disposal, he's been a complete wastrel. Why doesn't he seem to get as much criticism or scrutiny then other managers? Moyes did a lot more with less. F that guy.*
*(in last WC, as a commentator, he said England would dominate Italy because of superior talent& tactics, & after loss, said they were extremely unlucky. BUT HEY! WHOSE KEEPING TRACK?...F that guy...)
*(in last WC, as a commentator, he said England would dominate Italy because of superior talent& tactics, & after loss, said they were extremely unlucky. BUT HEY! WHOSE KEEPING TRACK?...F that guy...)
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Looking at the odds for tomorrow's games there's something like a 20-25% chance (LC win and Spurs drop points) that Leicester effectively wrap up the league with four games to play.
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CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Its a shame Mourinho won't be present at Stamford Bridge to give Ranieri the honor guard on the last match day.
The Gator
Footballguy
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
I haven't really followed the details of the country coefficients here, but I'd have to think Liverpool and City advancing while the Italian teams were all dead and buried prior to the Q-finals has to help with that 4th CL spot going forward?
Eephus
Footballguy
The Dons scored another late winner vs Crawley Town to hang onto the last League 2 playoff space. They're sitting in 7th at 65 points with a game in hand over three teams at 63. Their five game run-ii looks decent with three bottom half teams and a pair of six pointers vs. Pompey and Orient but the latter two are both at home.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Didn't realize Leeds have been a mid-table Championship team for five years now. I know the front office there has been a trainwreck but seems odd to me they haven't made a run at the EPL.
Eephus
Footballguy
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Meanwhile, Milton Keynes is almost certain to be relegated. If both were playing in League 1 next season, it would seem to conclusively put to bed the stated reason for the relocation.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
That is a big call.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Wow...that is some bull####.
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Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
That's twice as much contact as the call West Ham got. Brutal to see the title race impacted by terrible reffing.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This smells awful.
