2 unrelated questions: 93 Marseille and Cech

[billyho96]

Ok, this may not be the right place to ask these questions, but this is were my "friends" are so I really don't care.

1. The much discussed article suggesting Wenger may need to go referred to the 93 title of Marseille that they were later stripped of? Is this correct?
What is the story.

2. Why did it take as long as it did for Cech to get to one of the big four leagues? I know the transfer was completed prior to JM taking over, and during the 03-04 season. But geez louise, between ManU and Arsenal struggling for keepers for 3 years or more . . . , Chelsea couldn't have afford this player 24 months ago, how did he stay available as long as he did.

thoughts?

[nicephoras]

I believe Marseilles paid teams for results. They've had excuses, so off the top of my head I can't remember the details.
As for Cech - he's still really young. He's not even 23 yet. He only played a year and a half in France before we bought him, meaning he was just 21. Before that, he was playing in the Czech league, which is obviously not very high profile. And Rennes, his French club, isn't exactly known far and wide. Also, the Czechs didn't make Japorea, which didn't help him gain any spotlight. By the time he played in the Euros, where he was outstanding, he was already under contract from Chelsea.

[Jasonisimo]

1. Marseille were stripped for match-fixing. This short article catalogues a few match-fixing scandals. (http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/642/sp5.htm) Marseille 1993 is in the mentioned in the middle.

[Jasonisimo]

Arsenal--and Manure too, I suppose--gambled and lost on Cech. That's my take.

[phishy]

As for Cech - he's still really young. He's not even 23 yet. He only played a year and a half in France before we bought him, meaning he was just 21. Before that, he was playing in the Czech league, which is obviously not very high profile. And Rennes, his French club, isn't exactly known far and wide. Also, the Czechs didn't make Japorea, which didn't help him gain any spotlight. By the time he played in the Euros, where he was outstanding, he was already under contract from Chelsea.

as a fan of rennes, i was gutted that they sold him off to chavski.. also, losing frei was a blow... i digress~

[Its only Ray Parlour]

Ok, this may not be the right place to ask these questions, but this is were my "friends" are so I really don't care.

1. The much discussed article suggesting Wenger may need to go referred to the 93 title of Marseille that they were later stripped of? Is this correct?
What is the story.

2. Why did it take as long as it did for Cech to get to one of the big four leagues? I know the transfer was completed prior to JM taking over, and during the 03-04 season. But geez louise, between ManU and Arsenal struggling for keepers for 3 years or more . . . , Chelsea couldn't have afford this player 24 months ago, how did he stay available as long as he did.

thoughts?

Arsenal wanted Cech a few years back but the deal never happened as Cech didn't qualify for a work permit and Wenger was still unsure about his adaptation. His agent at the time said Cech will be the best 'keeper in the world very soon, looks like he might have had a point.

[fedwood]

I believe Marseilles paid teams for results. They've had excuses, so off the top of my head I can't remember the details.
As for Cech - he's still really young. He's not even 23 yet. He only played a year and a half in France before we bought him, meaning he was just 21. Before that, he was playing in the Czech league, which is obviously not very high profile. And Rennes, his French club, isn't exactly known far and wide. Also, the Czechs didn't make Japorea, which didn't help him gain any spotlight. By the time he played in the Euros, where he was outstanding, he was already under contract from Chelsea.
did you know he also has the record for longest to not concede a goal in Czech Republic
he had 903 mins without conceding for Sparta Prague

does anybody know if any other keeper holds this type of record in 2 countries?