Club vs Country
June 24, 2014 7:20 AM Subscribe
In the wake of England's exit from the 2014 World Cup, QPR Manager Harry Rednapp said in an interview with BBC Five Live that some players didn't want to play for England.
"When full internationals came around, two or three players didn't want to go and play for England. They'd come to me 10 days before the game and say: 'Gaffer, get me out of the game. I don't want to play in it.'"England Captain Steven Gerrard then called on Rednapp to name names, however Rednapp has so far refused. Former England Manager (91-93) Graham Taylor then came out and said that players not wanting to play for their country is "nothing particularly new". And finally, ex Arsenal and England striker Ian "Wrighty" Wright wades into the debate in The Sun
Although it does seem a bit off to not want to play in the World Cup, I can certainly understand not wanting to play in the hundreds of pointless friendlies that come in the midst of a professinoal season that is already as long as any in sport.
posted by Lame_username at 7:29 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Lame_username at 7:29 AM on June 24, 2014
It has always been thus, in all sports, for all ancillary competitions. Baseball players, for example, are famous for having "muscle tightness" for the three days surrounding the All-Star Game. What would be news, and I think would be roundly supported by fans, would be for national team managers to dismiss players who are not fully committed to playing for their country and replace them with players who might not be as talented, but are eager to go. You saw this to some extent with the US basketball team in the 2008 Olympics -- the so-called "Redeem Team".
posted by Rock Steady at 7:29 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Rock Steady at 7:29 AM on June 24, 2014
Most of Gerrard and Hodgson's annoyance at this is that it's just Redknapp being a pillock again because he's still in a huff about Hodgson getting the England job.
posted by dng at 7:33 AM on June 24, 2014 [8 favorites]
posted by dng at 7:33 AM on June 24, 2014 [8 favorites]
Rednapp isn't really saying anything new, but the timing screams schadenfreude to me. This is also why he didn't get the England job. I really hippie the FA stocks with Hodgson to 2016 to break the panic cycle and annoy Harry.
Wrighty's column... He should stick to radio where he just seems like a more fun version if Robbie Savage.
posted by kendrak at 7:35 AM on June 24, 2014
Wrighty's column... He should stick to radio where he just seems like a more fun version if Robbie Savage.
posted by kendrak at 7:35 AM on June 24, 2014
He does say "full internationals" and not "World Cup" so it could just be useless friendlies.
posted by tofu_crouton at 7:36 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by tofu_crouton at 7:36 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
The 'hundreds of pointless friendlies' are what makes a successful national team, though. No group of players is talented enough to just turn up at the stadium and win a tournament, they need to time playing together to become a team.
You've got to put in the hours for the 4-0 wins against Estonia if you want to get a shiny medal at a World Cup. Put in the effort or pull your name from the list.
posted by N-stoff at 7:50 AM on June 24, 2014 [5 favorites]
You've got to put in the hours for the 4-0 wins against Estonia if you want to get a shiny medal at a World Cup. Put in the effort or pull your name from the list.
posted by N-stoff at 7:50 AM on June 24, 2014 [5 favorites]
I really hippie the FA stocks with Hodgson
Couldn't agree more.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:53 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Couldn't agree more.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:53 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
I think its DISGUSTING that some English players don't want to play for their country. I mean, you just have to lose two matches and then you can pretty much pack your bags for home - it's not like you're at these tournaments for three or four weeks. If you really put your mind to it, you can just fail to qualify in the first place. Honestly!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 7:57 AM on June 24, 2014 [40 favorites]
posted by the quidnunc kid at 7:57 AM on June 24, 2014 [40 favorites]
Having grown up in Merseyside - here's an alternative non-Sun link to the Sun-iest of Wright's comments.
I think Redknapp's senses of morality or humility are filed somewhere under the name of his dog. They're obviously not regularly used.
posted by dvrmmr at 8:14 AM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
I think Redknapp's senses of morality or humility are filed somewhere under the name of his dog. They're obviously not regularly used.
posted by dvrmmr at 8:14 AM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
I love Sir Harry.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 8:28 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 8:28 AM on June 24, 2014
I have absolute sympathy for players who don't want to go. The BEST-case scenario is that they don't embarrass themselves on a laser-focused world stage, and don't get injured and jeopardize their lucrative club contracts.
posted by delfin at 8:30 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by delfin at 8:30 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Absolutely. There really shouldn't be any shame in it. An athlete should be able to say "I'm honored to have been selected, but at this point in my career, I'm committed to helping $CLUB win the $THING, and I need to stay focused and healthy for that. I'm looking forward to watching my mates in the Final just like the fans are. I hope at some point in the future I'll be able to have the time and energy to compete for $COUNTRY."
posted by Rock Steady at 8:45 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 8:45 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
I really hippie the FA stocks with Hodgson
You wish to speak with the downed airmen?
posted by MartinWisse at 8:48 AM on June 24, 2014 [12 favorites]
You wish to speak with the downed airmen?
posted by MartinWisse at 8:48 AM on June 24, 2014 [12 favorites]
The BEST-case scenario is that they don't embarrass themselves on a laser-focused world stage, and don't get injured and jeopardize their lucrative club contracts.
No, the best case is that their courageous and skilful displays on the international stage inspire millions of children to use their OWN talents (in whatever field) for the glory of their nation, in the desperate hope that they, like their hero Daniel Sturridge, may one day be granted their country's highest honour - the honour of having MY SUB, MY WAY™.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 8:49 AM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
No, the best case is that their courageous and skilful displays on the international stage inspire millions of children to use their OWN talents (in whatever field) for the glory of their nation, in the desperate hope that they, like their hero Daniel Sturridge, may one day be granted their country's highest honour - the honour of having MY SUB, MY WAY™.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 8:49 AM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
Yeah, I would say that advert is sickening, all that talk about Pele at the start and its for fucking subway, not even a sports product, but Pele has sold his soul several times over anyway.
posted by marienbad at 8:53 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 8:53 AM on June 24, 2014
At least Pele used to advertise things that'd enhance your performance rather than hinder it.
posted by dng at 8:58 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by dng at 8:58 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Please someone make an "If you only watch one match today" for the England Chile match, because I feel the need to vent like a crazy bastard after only 6 minutes of fucking football liveblog it.
posted by marienbad at 9:08 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 9:08 AM on June 24, 2014
LET'S DO IT RIGHT HERE
posted by the quidnunc kid at 9:13 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by the quidnunc kid at 9:13 AM on June 24, 2014
Which England Chile match ? Do you mean England - Costa Rica ?
posted by Pendragon at 9:14 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Pendragon at 9:14 AM on June 24, 2014
"We're going home, we're going home, England's going home!"
posted by Thing at 9:14 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Thing at 9:14 AM on June 24, 2014
Isn't that what this thread is for?
The game where everything's made up and the points don't matter! EN-GER-LAND!
posted by fight or flight at 9:15 AM on June 24, 2014
The game where everything's made up and the points don't matter! EN-GER-LAND!
posted by fight or flight at 9:15 AM on June 24, 2014
I'm watching the super-Catenaccio game, ITA-URU.
posted by Pendragon at 9:15 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Pendragon at 9:15 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm always surprised when professionals don't want to work for free.
posted by srboisvert at 9:17 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by srboisvert at 9:17 AM on June 24, 2014
Too many yellow boots. That's our problem at international level.
posted by dvrmmr at 9:20 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by dvrmmr at 9:20 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm always surprised when professionals don't want to work for free.
They get paid.
posted by josher71 at 9:21 AM on June 24, 2014
They get paid.
posted by josher71 at 9:21 AM on June 24, 2014
YEs someone plz play by play the ENG-CRC so I can concentrate on actually watching uruguay being glorious instead of switching back n forth
posted by elizardbits at 9:27 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by elizardbits at 9:27 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Man, the referees have not been on England's side at all this year. That foul was pretty blatant.
posted by fight or flight at 9:29 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by fight or flight at 9:29 AM on June 24, 2014
The World Cup is a great showcase for players who want to be seen on the international scene and for rising stars, who stand to get more lucrative contracts, but that's not the case with top players. C. Ronaldo would still earn millions no matter how he performs internationally. That's also why I'm happy Robben is so into it: 92' sprint and assist in a won game when they were already top of the group.
posted by ersatz at 9:29 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by ersatz at 9:29 AM on June 24, 2014
C. Ronaldo would still earn millions
Ronaldo may or may not not care about playing in the world cup but Nike, Coke, and Armani sure care about the millions they pay him to be on the world stage.
posted by cmfletcher at 9:37 AM on June 24, 2014
Ronaldo may or may not not care about playing in the world cup but Nike, Coke, and Armani sure care about the millions they pay him to be on the world stage.
posted by cmfletcher at 9:37 AM on June 24, 2014
I'd understand if teams like Italy wouldn't wanna play. If I had to wear tight shirts like that in public, I'd be well upset.
posted by mrsh at 9:38 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by mrsh at 9:38 AM on June 24, 2014
Some commenter said that Uruguay's shirts were taken internally and worn beneath the skin somehow.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:40 AM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 9:40 AM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
Yeah, England Costa Rica. Too angry at the time after the awful first five minutes. A bit better, but not much, and still nil-nil.
posted by marienbad at 9:43 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 9:43 AM on June 24, 2014
I could totally understand not wanting to join the squad for England internationals. "Hi Michael Carrick, you have been the heart of the most successful English club side for the last 8 years and you are English. How would you like to sit on the bench while another coach tries to figure out how to play Lampard and Gerrard together."
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 9:43 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 9:43 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
CRC Free kick, approx sq. 10, curled in to far post but Gonzales is offside. England escape.
posted by marienbad at 9:44 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 9:44 AM on June 24, 2014
From the Guardian's MBM:
"Isn't this England's chance to end a world cup with a win for the first time since 1966?" brightsides Christian Cummins.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 9:47 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
"Isn't this England's chance to end a world cup with a win for the first time since 1966?" brightsides Christian Cummins.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 9:47 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
is the england game in halftime already or has univision gone mad
posted by elizardbits at 9:47 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by elizardbits at 9:47 AM on June 24, 2014
wait nvm
posted by elizardbits at 9:48 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by elizardbits at 9:48 AM on June 24, 2014
These archeologists sure are a complainy lot.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 9:50 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 9:50 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Sort of hoping Italy wins/draws in order to increase my chances of seeing Suarez play live next month when Liverpool comes to the states. England has already kindly ensured most the first team will be in attendance.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:04 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:04 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Background about the Ian Wright comment.
Don't forget that Wright's in an emotional state, though. He just had to abandon his World Cup punditry duties because burglars held his family at knifepoint.
posted by cmfletcher at 10:13 AM on June 24, 2014
Don't forget that Wright's in an emotional state, though. He just had to abandon his World Cup punditry duties because burglars held his family at knifepoint.
posted by cmfletcher at 10:13 AM on June 24, 2014
I would take 'Arry a little more seriously on this matter if he didn't keep coughing and pointing to himself during the press conferences.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:35 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:35 AM on June 24, 2014
Wait, so what happens if both matches end in a scoreless draw? Costa Rica advances?
im so heavily medicated right now that i just mistook the eng natl team for liverpool and got really confused
posted by elizardbits at 10:37 AM on June 24, 2014
im so heavily medicated right now that i just mistook the eng natl team for liverpool and got really confused
posted by elizardbits at 10:37 AM on June 24, 2014
I really hippie the FA stocks with Hodgson
You wish to speak with the downed airmen?
"Good moaning."
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:38 AM on June 24, 2014
You wish to speak with the downed airmen?
"Good moaning."
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:38 AM on June 24, 2014
Thanks to early indoctrination by my parents, my Pavlovian response to encountering the word "Uruguay" is to crave chivitos sandwiches.
posted by needled at 10:38 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by needled at 10:38 AM on June 24, 2014
Holy shit, I think Suarez bit him.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:40 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 10:40 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
And Suarez has just bitten Cheillini. Cheillini is now displaying his shoulder like Marcus Antonius with Caesar's toga.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:42 AM on June 24, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:42 AM on June 24, 2014 [5 favorites]
He definitely bit him. Not the best angle of it
posted by cmfletcher at 10:43 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by cmfletcher at 10:43 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Wow. At first I thought he might have been trying to give him a little head butt, but given how insistent Cheillini was to show someone his shoulder, and that clip, I think you are right cmfletcher. There's got to be better video of it out there. Can he get disciplined after the fact based on video evidence?
posted by Rock Steady at 10:47 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Rock Steady at 10:47 AM on June 24, 2014
Guardian liveblog: "It's been a vaguely promising performance from England."
I think that's supposed to be praise but I'm not sure, English not being my first language and all.
posted by needled at 10:49 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
I think that's supposed to be praise but I'm not sure, English not being my first language and all.
posted by needled at 10:49 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
idk but there will probably be fanfic.
posted by elizardbits at 10:49 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by elizardbits at 10:49 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also, it takes amazing cohones to be clutching your mouth in pain after you've just bitten someone.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:50 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 10:50 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Well, it is Cheillini... there is always a chance he palmed a set of novelty vampire teeth to give verisimilitude to his flopping...
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:51 AM on June 24, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:51 AM on June 24, 2014 [6 favorites]
And that's England's worldcup done and dusted for another four years.
posted by MartinWisse at 10:51 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by MartinWisse at 10:51 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Thanks to early indoctrination by my parents, my Pavlovian response to encountering the word "Uruguay" is to crave chivitos sandwiches.
*googles chivito*
*googles flights to Montevideo*
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:52 AM on June 24, 2014 [5 favorites]
*googles chivito*
*googles flights to Montevideo*
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:52 AM on June 24, 2014 [5 favorites]
Italy less than a minute from joining them.
posted by MartinWisse at 10:53 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by MartinWisse at 10:53 AM on June 24, 2014
And that's two European "superpowers" out.
posted by MartinWisse at 10:55 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by MartinWisse at 10:55 AM on June 24, 2014
TheWhiteSkull: *googles chivito*
Holy shit, you ain't kidding.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:56 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Holy shit, you ain't kidding.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:56 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Great to see another CONCACAF team win a group -- especially given the rumors that FIFA are looking to take away one of our automatic slots.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:57 AM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 10:57 AM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
Ciao Italia. Well done Uruguay and Costa Rica.
Were England any better in the 2nd half? I had had enough and watched Italy Uruguay,
posted by marienbad at 10:57 AM on June 24, 2014
Were England any better in the 2nd half? I had had enough and watched Italy Uruguay,
posted by marienbad at 10:57 AM on June 24, 2014
This was great though, who are you rooting for? The biter or the floppers? Question for the ages!
posted by Carillon at 10:57 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Carillon at 10:57 AM on June 24, 2014
I'm sorry, but Suarez should be banned for life. I don't care how good of a footballer he is, he's a horrible human being.
posted by zakur at 11:00 AM on June 24, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by zakur at 11:00 AM on June 24, 2014 [5 favorites]
or at least forced to wear some kind of hannibal lecter mask
posted by elizardbits at 11:01 AM on June 24, 2014 [11 favorites]
posted by elizardbits at 11:01 AM on June 24, 2014 [11 favorites]
I'm sorry, but Suarez should be banned for life. I don't care how good of a footballer he is, he's a horrible human being.
I agree with this sentiment 100%.
Also why is he not playing for his home country of Transylvania.
posted by winna at 11:02 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
I agree with this sentiment 100%.
Also why is he not playing for his home country of Transylvania.
posted by winna at 11:02 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
HE DIVES! HE BITES! HE ONLY LIKES THE WHITES!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 11:04 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 11:04 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Have the forwards stopped crying yet, Clarise?
posted by Carillon at 11:06 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Carillon at 11:06 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Jesus christ he's gonna need shots or something for that shit.
posted by elizardbits at 11:06 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by elizardbits at 11:06 AM on June 24, 2014
I don't think Suarez is going to be playing on any pre-season tours.
posted by dvrmmr at 11:09 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by dvrmmr at 11:09 AM on June 24, 2014
Maybe he needed that blood. Don't be so judgmental. The FIFA world cup should be open to all kinds. Humans, vampires, humans on whom vampires feed, werewolves, etc. The blood is the life!
posted by Area Man at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Area Man at 11:10 AM on June 24, 2014
in america we call them 'appetizers'
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2014
(newbie to international football world here)
I take it Suarez has some kind of history, besides the Tyson moment we just saw?
posted by strange chain at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2014
I take it Suarez has some kind of history, besides the Tyson moment we just saw?
posted by strange chain at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2014
Seen elsewhere: "Well, really, who doesn't love Italian food?"
posted by the painkiller at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by the painkiller at 11:11 AM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
Suárez has found the perfect way to injure someone on the football field. None of the ambiguity of a headbutt or an “accidental” elbow. Not only is it unmistakable on camera — it LEAVES FORENSIC EVIDENCE. He might as well take a cue from WWE and grab a folding chair from the sidelines.
posted by savetheclocktower at 11:17 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by savetheclocktower at 11:17 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
"He will do something insane at this summer's World Cup -- mark it down. ... Eventually, he'll punch a baby." - Toronto Star
Above quote is from this SI piece about Suarez.
posted by zakur at 11:30 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Above quote is from this SI piece about Suarez.
posted by zakur at 11:30 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
or at least forced to wear some kind of hannibal lecter mask
Or a cone collar like the kind you use when your dog has had stitches.
posted by Cash4Lead at 11:31 AM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
Or a cone collar like the kind you use when your dog has had stitches.
posted by Cash4Lead at 11:31 AM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
Hells bells, you know.... biting is an excellent vector for transmitting disease. If I had to play anywhere near him I'd start demanding Suárez be tested for a wide range of shit.
posted by edgeways at 11:31 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by edgeways at 11:31 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
True, how Ivanovic has handled the curse of Luiscanthropy has been a testament to human perseverance in the face of adversity.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:35 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:35 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also, biting? Why couldn't he have just headbutted the guy like a civilized person?
posted by Cash4Lead at 11:35 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Cash4Lead at 11:35 AM on June 24, 2014
As I said in the other thread, Coworker's opinion is that Diego Costa should have had punishment as well and that Suarez will only face it due to media attention.
posted by josher71 at 11:36 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by josher71 at 11:36 AM on June 24, 2014
Why wasn't that a red card? It has admittedly been many years since I took my classes, studied the Laws of the Game, and was certified to referee youth games (my coaches had gently suggested that I look into officiating, or really anything other than playing on their team). However, I have no hestitation in saying that deliberately biting someone else is a red card offense.
posted by Area Man at 11:42 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by Area Man at 11:42 AM on June 24, 2014
No card because Ref didn't see it. Same situation when he bit Ivanovic last year. But FA banned him 10 games after reviewing video footage of the incident.
posted by zakur at 11:46 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by zakur at 11:46 AM on June 24, 2014
oh so THAT'S the reason a dog can't play soccer
posted by dismas at 11:46 AM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by dismas at 11:46 AM on June 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
Shocking, particularly given his history at the last World Cup when he cleared a surefire Ghanaian goal off the line with his dorsal fin.
posted by reynir at 11:49 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by reynir at 11:49 AM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
It should have been a red card. What makes matters worse is that the game was 0-0 at the time of the incident and the non call probably changed the outcome of the game.
posted by cmfletcher at 11:50 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by cmfletcher at 11:50 AM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
He did have real compassion for Gerrard this last season and at the WC. But yeah, that was quite a bite. Again.
posted by persona au gratin at 11:52 AM on June 24, 2014
posted by persona au gratin at 11:52 AM on June 24, 2014
Context:
Now vile and disgusting things occur often in the course of certain sporting events—ask an NFL player what happens at the bottom of the pile when players are going after a fumble and he’s sure to mention the grabbing and squeezing of testicles. But biting is one of the few truly verboten acts in sports. My measure for that is the ancient Greek Olympic martial sport pankration, of course. In pankration, you could do anything—punch, kick, strangle, twist limbs, you name it—anything that is except for two things: gouge eyes and bite.
posted by Cash4Lead at 11:53 AM on June 24, 2014
Now vile and disgusting things occur often in the course of certain sporting events—ask an NFL player what happens at the bottom of the pile when players are going after a fumble and he’s sure to mention the grabbing and squeezing of testicles. But biting is one of the few truly verboten acts in sports. My measure for that is the ancient Greek Olympic martial sport pankration, of course. In pankration, you could do anything—punch, kick, strangle, twist limbs, you name it—anything that is except for two things: gouge eyes and bite.
posted by Cash4Lead at 11:53 AM on June 24, 2014
From someone watching England vs Costa Rica: "It's not often that the most exciting moment of a football match is hearing a player bit another player in a different football match."
posted by Wordshore at 11:57 AM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by Wordshore at 11:57 AM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
re: amer football nutsqueezing - I just spent like 5 whole minutes pondering the many ways that modern technology could solve this problem and I imagined explaining to various venture capitalists my nut sensor idea and pitching it to the NFL and im gonna make a billion dollars
no one steal my idea
posted by elizardbits at 12:00 PM on June 24, 2014
no one steal my idea
posted by elizardbits at 12:00 PM on June 24, 2014
"Chewy Luis and the Blues" - Huffpo headline.
posted by josher71 at 12:04 PM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by josher71 at 12:04 PM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
It should have been a red card. What makes matters worse is that the game was 0-0 at the time of the incident and the non call probably changed the outcome of the game.
If the ref had seen it yeah it should have been, and would have been. I don't think the game should be stripped or anything, and I def hope he gets kicked out for at least a year, if not life, he doesn't seem to respond to a handful of suspensions.
posted by edgeways at 12:06 PM on June 24, 2014
If the ref had seen it yeah it should have been, and would have been. I don't think the game should be stripped or anything, and I def hope he gets kicked out for at least a year, if not life, he doesn't seem to respond to a handful of suspensions.
posted by edgeways at 12:06 PM on June 24, 2014
@holyfield: I guess any part of the body is up for eating
posted by the painkiller at 12:13 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by the painkiller at 12:13 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
The Slate article linked to by Cash4Lead is great. My favorite part:
Our final bite is the most perplexing of all. In a celebratory dogpile after a dramatic goal in a 2001 Spanish League match, Sevilla striker Francisco Gallardo tenderly bit teammate Jose Antonio Reyes … in the scrotum.
I'm curious, but I've decided a video of tender scrotum biting is not safe for work.
posted by Area Man at 12:18 PM on June 24, 2014
Our final bite is the most perplexing of all. In a celebratory dogpile after a dramatic goal in a 2001 Spanish League match, Sevilla striker Francisco Gallardo tenderly bit teammate Jose Antonio Reyes … in the scrotum.
I'm curious, but I've decided a video of tender scrotum biting is not safe for work.
posted by Area Man at 12:18 PM on June 24, 2014
I'm sorry, but Suarez should be banned for life. I don't care how good of a footballer he is, he's a horrible human being.
Eh. If you made a list of the most horrible football players Suarez wouldn't even be in the top 10. He is a complete lunatic, granted, but there are far worse.
posted by fshgrl at 12:28 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Eh. If you made a list of the most horrible football players Suarez wouldn't even be in the top 10. He is a complete lunatic, granted, but there are far worse.
posted by fshgrl at 12:28 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
wouldn't even be in the top 10
Doesn't mean the jackass shouldn't sit for a long time.
posted by cmfletcher at 12:31 PM on June 24, 2014
Doesn't mean the jackass shouldn't sit for a long time.
posted by cmfletcher at 12:31 PM on June 24, 2014
It sure seems like it. It's not even that body parts are hitting him in the face and he's biting as a reaction. He's going right in for the nip like an enraged chihuahua.
posted by elizardbits at 12:32 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by elizardbits at 12:32 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
I say Suarez should sit for a whole a whole calendar year for both domestic and international games.
posted by josher71 at 12:42 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by josher71 at 12:42 PM on June 24, 2014
Innocent until proven guilty guys, remember? (says the LFC fan)
England were dire as fuck. Nothing in that game impressed me. We just cannot ping the ball about at speed, to feet, to a man under pressure who can control it instantly and make a good controlled pass to his team mate. As Ghana, Colombia, Chile, Netherlands, Spain, Argentina, and Mexico etc can.
posted by marienbad at 12:43 PM on June 24, 2014
England were dire as fuck. Nothing in that game impressed me. We just cannot ping the ball about at speed, to feet, to a man under pressure who can control it instantly and make a good controlled pass to his team mate. As Ghana, Colombia, Chile, Netherlands, Spain, Argentina, and Mexico etc can.
posted by marienbad at 12:43 PM on June 24, 2014
OK Moving swiftly along, Greece Ivory Coast and Japan Colombia are about to start. Greece need a miracle to get through, and it is going to be difficult for Japan, given how they have played so far.
posted by marienbad at 12:57 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 12:57 PM on June 24, 2014
The real question now is Japan vs Colombia or Greece vs Cote D'Ivoire?
posted by Carillon at 12:59 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by Carillon at 12:59 PM on June 24, 2014
Greece's road isn't too impossible. They just need a win plus a Columbia win or tie.
Japan has the much harder route.
posted by mmascolino at 1:05 PM on June 24, 2014
Japan has the much harder route.
posted by mmascolino at 1:05 PM on June 24, 2014
Cuadrado (who has been outstanding) has put Colombia 1-0 up with a penalty!
posted by marienbad at 1:18 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 1:18 PM on June 24, 2014
Does Suarez just have low impulse control, or what?
Compared to players like Roy Keane or Mario Balotelli he's a paragon of self discipline. Who occasionally bites people.
Suarez is disliked because he's seen as whiny, smug, oblivious and annoying, not a violent lunatic in the world of football, believe it or not.
posted by fshgrl at 1:39 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Compared to players like Roy Keane or Mario Balotelli he's a paragon of self discipline. Who occasionally bites people.
Suarez is disliked because he's seen as whiny, smug, oblivious and annoying, not a violent lunatic in the world of football, believe it or not.
posted by fshgrl at 1:39 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you click the highlights tab on the BBC live text (this is for Greece Ivory Coast but they are available for all games) you can watch the tactical cam view which is high and end-on (i.e. behind the goal). Its an interesting perspective.
posted by marienbad at 1:40 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 1:40 PM on June 24, 2014
Also, Ivory Coast - don't get over-elaborate, just bang it in the fucking goal.
posted by marienbad at 1:41 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by marienbad at 1:41 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Too late, Greece just did.
posted by MartinWisse at 1:42 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by MartinWisse at 1:42 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Holy Moly - Greece have scored! Mistake from Tiote, and the 400 yr old Samaras scores. Greece now in 2nd in group!
posted by marienbad at 1:43 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by marienbad at 1:43 PM on June 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
So have they started checking which player has a pregnant girlfriend yet? Or checking on any guys who were let out of the game?
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:45 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:45 PM on June 24, 2014
Suarez is disliked because he's seen as whiny, smug, oblivious and annoying, not a violent lunatic in the world of football, believe it or not.
20% of hatred is because he plays for Liverpool. The other 80% is because he fucking bites people, seriously.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 1:55 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
20% of hatred is because he plays for Liverpool. The other 80% is because he fucking bites people, seriously.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 1:55 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
The goalscorer for Greece was Andreas Samaris (25), not Georgios Samaras who is indeed a crusty methuselah (29).
posted by Errant at 2:01 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by Errant at 2:01 PM on June 24, 2014
Yeah , sorry, got over excited. You think I would recognise Samaras' flowing locks by now.
posted by marienbad at 2:04 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 2:04 PM on June 24, 2014
To be fair, they're pronounced exactly the same in both my and the commentator's accent, and I'm watching Colombia - Japan, so I assumed it was Samaras too. Then I saw the highlight at halftime and was like, "holy shit did someone take a razor to him?"
posted by Errant at 2:08 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by Errant at 2:08 PM on June 24, 2014
20% of hatred is because he plays for Liverpool. The other 80% is because he fucking bites people, seriously.
Oh I'm not defending him.There are the racist comments too. I think the biting is an integral part of the whiny child persona he's worked so hard to develop over the years. He needs to bite a neighbor or a journalist to really enter the top tier of low impulse control in professional football though.
posted by fshgrl at 2:12 PM on June 24, 2014
Oh I'm not defending him.There are the racist comments too. I think the biting is an integral part of the whiny child persona he's worked so hard to develop over the years. He needs to bite a neighbor or a journalist to really enter the top tier of low impulse control in professional football though.
posted by fshgrl at 2:12 PM on June 24, 2014
I'm sorry, but Suarez should be banned for life. I don't care how good of a footballer he is
He's really fuckin good though. Plays forward and keeper at the same time.
posted by Hoopo at 2:44 PM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
He's really fuckin good though. Plays forward and keeper at the same time.
posted by Hoopo at 2:44 PM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
There goes Japan.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:44 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:44 PM on June 24, 2014
And Colombia is bringing in a 43 year old. They (rightly) think they have it.
posted by Carillon at 2:46 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by Carillon at 2:46 PM on June 24, 2014
and they were right oh my god
posted by elizardbits at 2:48 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by elizardbits at 2:48 PM on June 24, 2014
If FIFA doesn't yank Suarez from future matches, maybe Oscar 'El Maestro' Tabarez will.
Dear Diego Forlan - please become awesome. Quickly.
posted by spinifex23 at 2:54 PM on June 24, 2014
Dear Diego Forlan - please become awesome. Quickly.
posted by spinifex23 at 2:54 PM on June 24, 2014
Well that was an interesting end to the GREvCIV game. Great job ref, who knew you could get a penalty for tripping yourself over.
posted by Hello, I'm David McGahan at 2:54 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by Hello, I'm David McGahan at 2:54 PM on June 24, 2014
Oh my god, Greece have a penalty and Samaras scores - Ivory coast are out, beaten in injury time, 3rd time running Ivory coast are out at group stage, Greece through for the first time.
posted by marienbad at 2:54 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 2:54 PM on June 24, 2014
Wow, Rodriguez is amazing.
posted by persona au gratin at 3:09 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by persona au gratin at 3:09 PM on June 24, 2014
So let me get this straight - of we had topped our group, we would now be playing Greece for a place in the quarter-finals? Fucking says it all.
posted by marienbad at 3:09 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by marienbad at 3:09 PM on June 24, 2014
And we are through! I repeat: Greece are through! The penalty was non-existent to soft, but IVC should have been playing with 10 men before they scored and were spared a couple yellow cards on top. With our captain outside we finally had a midfield and showed we can play football - we are through! Bring on Costa Rica (and my beloved Campbell)!
posted by ersatz at 3:17 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by ersatz at 3:17 PM on June 24, 2014
marienbad: "Yeah, I would say that advert is sickening, all that talk about Pele at the start and its for fucking subway, not even a sports product, but Pele has sold his soul several times over anyway."
Pelé is king of the soccer field. To be king of your kitchen, use Crestfield Wax Paper.
posted by Chrysostom at 4:42 PM on June 24, 2014
Pelé is king of the soccer field. To be king of your kitchen, use Crestfield Wax Paper.
posted by Chrysostom at 4:42 PM on June 24, 2014
Huh, and in slow mo the defender's thigh obstructs the attacker's foot after all.
posted by ersatz at 5:27 PM on June 24, 2014
posted by ersatz at 5:27 PM on June 24, 2014
Hey Luis Suarez, if you're hungry, come have a Big Mac.
posted by A dead Quaker at 5:50 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by A dead Quaker at 5:50 PM on June 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
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posted by josher71 at 7:22 AM on June 24, 2014 [4 favorites]