By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
  1. Bill Archer

    Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 19, 2002
    Washington, NC
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Stuff I'm Not Writing About

    By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
    During the last World Cup I wrote about how Mexico fans need to grow the hell up and drop the "p**o" bit before FIFA grows a pair and forces them to. A day or so later, FIFA gutlessly decided to go along with the "quaint, indeed almost charming, local tradition" theory of homophobic insults, thus avoiding having to do something which would divert media attention away from the glorious pageantry of sportsmanship, love and fair play which is the quadrennial FIFA Cash-a-Palooza.

    What did happen however was that a whole bunch of wretchedly stupid fans of said team filled the response thread with a) laughable explanations of why using a gay slur is perfectly acceptable and b) descriptions of anatomically impossible acts which I should go ahead and perform on myself.

    What I also got was a bunch of private messages from other Mexico fans saying "those guys don't speak for all of us", to which my reaction was "yes they do if they're the only ones saying anything."

    So here we are two years later and FIFA has finally decided to get serious about it - they have now fined the FMF an impressive 8 times for this behavior - and, this having had no discernible effect, they have now installed cameras aimed at Mexico supporters sections in order to monitor fan behavior, as they now routinely do when dealing with lowlife fan groups known for violent and/or racist behavior.

    A truly proud day for Mexican soccer.

    After the first ConFedCup match last week, when the "p**o" chant came across loud and clear despite the fines and the pleading of the FMF and the players themselves, the Chairman of FIFA's Disciplinary Committee Anin Yeboah, (a Ghanaian Supreme Court Justice if anyone cares) instituted a three step program which, after an initial warning, instructs the referee to stop the game and issue a final warning to the fans.

    If it happens again the referee is instructed to declare the match suspended.

    The fans apparently got the message against New Zealand that FIFA is done screwing around with this garbage - the "p**o" chant was blessedly unheard.

    This doesn't mean, of course, that Mexico fans have decided to grow up, join the 21st Century and stop using vile homophobic insults, only that they've decided not to intentionally throw away a shot at winning the Cup for the sake of proving whatever point they think they've been making.

    Nonetheless, I'm not going to be writing about this because I just don't feel like wading through another stack of ridiculous justifications like "it isn't an insult", "it doesn't mean gay prostitute" and, my favorite "it's really a friendly term which we sometimes call each other, like 'dude' " since a) yes it is, b) yes it does, and c) so thousands of fans in the Azteca earlier this month were calling Brad Guzan "dude"?

    Next someone will tell me that throwing bananas at black players is an expression of concern for whether they're getting enough potassium in their diets.

    It's had a good run. Now it's time to stop. But you won't hear that from me.

    And while I'm not on the subject, I also won't be writing about the Confederations Cup.

    Partly because no one cares including, apparently, Germany, which sent a side no one could confuse with the actual German National Team.

    Mostly though, because this unloved tournament is going away after this year. Giananni Infantino claims they'll examine their options when the time comes but, in reality, everybody knows the score.

    For one thing, it's only possible because it's held after the European leagues close for the summer, but in four years, with Qatar as the host, a June tournament is out of the question for the same reason they moved the main event to December in the first place.

    And a December Confederations Cup would require lengthy player releases, which is a non-starter.

    The guessing is that if they decide Qatar needs some kind of dry run event they'll have them host the FIFA Club World Cup.

    Four years after that, in World Cup Norte Americano '26, there won't be any new venues that FIFA will need to shake down. As Sunil Gulati famously said back when South Africa 2010 looked like it was in trouble, the US can host a World Cup with six weeks notice.

    We won't be opening any new stadiums and nobody needs to check and see whether AT&T stadium in Dallas has decent media and telecom facilities or whether there are enough hotel rooms and restaurants near Soldier Field or if MetLife Stadium has sufficient road, rail and air access. Waste of time.

    In any case, the real problem, as illustrated this year in Russia, is that there are too many games that the locals don't want to watch and fans won't pay thousands and thousands of dollars to travel to.

    So since the ConFedCup has one foot in the grave anyway, I'm not wasting my time writing about it.



    Finally, in the "I Have Not the Strength Dept.", I give you Qatar, where the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, which is responsible for delivering the stadia and infrastructure for the World Cup, has delivered a most curious stadium feature:

    A "Sensory Room".

    Because the "general match day atmosphere" is "overwhelming" to some fans, a room in the brand new Khalifa International stadium has been fitted with "noise cancellation materials, soft furnishings, mood lighting, relaxing music and brightly-colored toys and equipment". These features are designed to manage anxiety and allow fans to watch the match from a "more welcoming and sedate" vantage point.

    That is to say, on TV.

    Since I have no desire to appear insensitive to people with cognitive disabilities who find attending soccer games to be overwhelming, I won't be pointing out that I can think of at least one other place where a fan could watch a match on TV in comfortable, "non-threatening and sedate" environs:

    At home.

    Why would someone pay to fly to Qatar, book an expensive hotel room and shell out for a pricey World Cup ticket package so that they can watch the games on TV?

    So because I clearly don't understand the whole thing, I'm just not saying a word about it.
     
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Comments

Discussion in 'Articles' started by Bill Archer, Jun 27, 2017.

    1. Postmaster

      Postmaster Member

      Jan 10, 2002
      Poolesville, MD USA
      Club:
      DC United
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Thanks Bill. I hope one of the things that will not not be writing about is the just-leaked full Garcia report on FIFA corruption. Will be interesting to know what got white-washed in the published "summary". Thanks
       
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    2. Beau Dure

      Beau Dure Member+

      May 31, 2000
      Vienna, VA

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      That's not the first I've heard of soccer stadiums setting up sections for people with sensory issues. Could be interesting to see where that goes. It's a good gesture, but the logistics should be overwhelming.

      The potassium line nearly made me spit out my water.
       
    3. kgilbert78

      kgilbert78 Member+

      Borussia Mönchengladbach
      United States
      Dec 28, 2006
      Cowlumbus, OH
      Club:
      Borussia Mönchengladbach
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Everything??
       
    4. AndyMead

      AndyMead Homo Sapien

      Nov 2, 1999
      Seat 12A
      Club:
      Sporting Kansas City

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      At the ACC Men's Lacrosse Tournament semifinals a couple of months back, a UNC fan brought an "emotional support rabbit" into the stadium. A large pet rabbit (that I saw, but unfortunately did not get a clear photo of), or I guess I should say service rabbit. Koskinen Stadium was absolutely pulsating with fans and energy. College soccer only dreams of the crowds that lacrosse gets come tournament time. I can't imagine the environment was good for the rabbit. Some of the photographers were postulating that perhaps the rabbit had an emotional support guinea pig at home.

      but, yeah, maybe going to the games if they're that stressful isn't the best idea.
       
    5. Paul Calixte

      Paul Calixte Moderator
      Staff Member

      Orlando City SC
      Apr 30, 2009
      Miami, FL
      Club:
      Orlando City SC
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      The 2021 Confederations Cup WILL happen, as it's already guaranteed to the TV rights holders of the 2022 World Cup. My guess is that FIFA gives it to China and then calls it a day.
       
    6. Martininho

      Martininho Member+

      Feb 13, 2007
      Chicago
      Club:
      --other--
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      "Next someone will tell me that throwing bananas at black players is an expression of concern for whether they're getting enough potassium in their diets."

      [Cleans coffee off of laptop screen].

      Notwithstanding that he should NEVER have been put the position to display his quick wit, Dani Alvez's response was flippin' EPIC (if it helped prevent an in-game cramp, so much the better).

      ...and if memory serves, I'm glad for the Villareal fans who helped to ID the culprit so the stadium ban could be imposed.
       
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    7. TOAzer

      TOAzer Member+

      The Man With No Club
      May 29, 2016
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      To fully understand what the Sensory Rooms of Qatar offer that the tranquillity of Home cannot provide, we would have to understand what services to the senses the emirs of Qatar have in mind.....
       
    8. AEAAFC96

      AEAAFC96 Member+

      Mar 27, 2006
      NYC
      Club:
      Arsenal FC
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Except no national FA/confederation worth their salt is going to release top players for a winter ConFedCup.

      Still think the association for the European super clubs are going to pull some power play before that however. Unless FIFA gives them a tanker full of money, they don't want release an important player before that and (if they're in the KO stages of the UCL) find out after it's all over that the player's done for the rest of the season because on an injury picked up at the WC in Qatar.
       
    9. zaqualung

      zaqualung Member+

      Jun 17, 2015
      San Francisco
      Club:
      Liverpool FC

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      I think a point of order should be made here, because there is too much generalization (and simplification of critical) concepts around in the world today. Not everyone affiliated with a large organization or fanbase necessarily knows (or in some cases, even cares, or more importantly, should have to be told that they have to care) what others vaunt as their portion of acted-out support. If, for example, there are some bunch of Liverpool fans loudly proclaiming love of Donald Trump and Dick Cheney, do I have to care enough to point out that I am not so? Are you saying I have to care? Because I say I don't. Ditto the Mexicans..... ramping and ramming (pun intended) up gay chumminess isn't a big cultural thing in Mexico ..... Big deal.

      A whole world worried about looking politically correct is a world wasting large tracts of its time when it could be focusing on sh!t that actually matters......
       
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    10. zaqualung

      zaqualung Member+

      Jun 17, 2015
      San Francisco
      Club:
      Liverpool FC

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      How about a padded room for loopies too??? With a rubber tv, of course ....
       
    11. (They call him) RMc

      Jun 1, 2013
      Club:
      Celtic FC

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      The 2021 Confederations Cup WILL happen, as it's already guaranteed to the TV rights holders of the 2022 World Cup. My guess is that FIFA gives it to China and then calls it a day.

      Except no national FA/confederation worth their salt is going to release top players for a winter ConFedCup.

      Er...why not just hold it in the summer of 2021, like all the other ConFedCups? (Not in Qatar, obviously, but I still don't believe the 2018 Cup is really going to be held there, either.)
       
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    12. Paul Calixte

      Paul Calixte Moderator
      Staff Member

      Orlando City SC
      Apr 30, 2009
      Miami, FL
      Club:
      Orlando City SC
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Who said anything about a winter Confed Cup?

      FIFA has already confirmed that it won't be hosted in Qatar (precisely because of what you pointed out), so another AFC federation will do the honors in June 2021. Methinks FIFA throws China a bone - and gets enormous crowds for a second-ever senior FIFA tournament there after the 2007 WWC - then lets it go in peace ahead of the 2026 WC cycle.
       
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    13. Roger Allaway

      Roger Allaway Member+

      Apr 22, 2009
      Warminster, Pa.
      Club:
      Philadelphia Union
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Agreed. They wouldn't. However, why would it have to be a winter Confederations Cup? There is no need to schedule the Confederations Cup at a time that avoids Qatar's summer heat if it isn't played in Qatar anyway.
       
    14. Bill Archer

      Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

      Mar 19, 2002
      Washington, NC
      Club:
      Columbus Crew
      Nat'l Team:
      United States
      #15 Bill Archer, Jun 27, 2017
      Last edited: Jun 27, 2017

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      The reason they hold the thing 12 months before the tournament and at the tournament site (s) is as a kind of test run/shake down cruise and preparedness evaluation from FIFA's technical staff.

      It's used to find out what works and what doesn't in lots of areas.

      Since 2005, it has been held every four years, in the year prior to each World Cup in the host country of the forthcoming World Cup .... Considered a dress-rehearsal for the World Cup it precedes, it uses around half of the stadia intended for use at the following year's competition and gives the host nation, which qualifies for that tournament automatically, experience at a high level of competition .

      IF instead of holding the thing in a couple of the Qatari stadiums at the same exact time of year as the finals they do it 19 months before the finals.on some other continent it kind of defeats the whole purpose of the thing.
       
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    15. Roger Allaway

      Roger Allaway Member+

      Apr 22, 2009
      Warminster, Pa.
      Club:
      Philadelphia Union
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Yes, I know that it is a dry run for the World Cup 12 months later and that this has been its real value. I have said so on other BS threads. However, I thought it had already been decided that they weren't going to do that this time. Maybe I was mistaken.
       
    16. Paul Calixte

      Paul Calixte Moderator
      Staff Member

      Orlando City SC
      Apr 30, 2009
      Miami, FL
      Club:
      Orlando City SC
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Again, FIFA have already said that they'll send the 2021 Confederations Cup elsewhere...

      Btw, I never noticed that they're strong-arming the CAF into holding the AFCON in June of 2023. Makes me wonder how Infantino would reconcile that with his dream of expanding the CWC...
       
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    17. Bill Archer

      Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

      Mar 19, 2002
      Washington, NC
      Club:
      Columbus Crew
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Yes but my question is the same - why bother?
       
    18. Bill Archer

      Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

      Mar 19, 2002
      Washington, NC
      Club:
      Columbus Crew
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      The timing of the AFCON has always pissed FIFA off anyway. The Jan/Feb schedule throws everybidy a curve. Sepp fought them for years about it.

      I have to think that having it forced to June would be considered a bonus.
       
    19. Hugo Sanchez

      Hugo Sanchez Member+

      Aug 21, 2003
      MEX2010
      Club:
      --other--
      Nat'l Team:
      --other--

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Mexico fans growing up...

      Yeah, because we're in a perpetual state of adolescence.

      Self-righteous prick.
       
    20. AEAAFC96

      AEAAFC96 Member+

      Mar 27, 2006
      NYC
      Club:
      Arsenal FC
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Of course, they don't consider why the AFCON is held in Jan/Feb for the same reason they're holding the Qatar WC in Nov./Dec.

      Thanks to FIFA holding it then, AFCON has the excuse to say "up yours" to FIFA.
       
    21. Roger Allaway

      Roger Allaway Member+

      Apr 22, 2009
      Warminster, Pa.
      Club:
      Philadelphia Union
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Good question.
       
    22. sidspaceman

      sidspaceman Moderator
      Staff Member

      Feb 20, 2002
      AMÉRICA DE CALI
      Club:
      America de Cali
      Nat'l Team:
      Colombia

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      I'll always remember all the racist jokes Bill told on the Crew forum after Morellia destroyed the Crew. Hopefully he has grown up.
       
    23. Colima24

      Colima24 Member+

      Jul 28, 2005
      Villa de Alvarez
      Club:
      Club América
      Nat'l Team:
      Mexico

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      Vete mucho a la chingada pinche racista. Tu al igual que la poblacion deplorable de este pais dicen cuanta madre se les viene a la mente, y luego se ofenden cuando les regresan el favor. Al igual que su Dios anarajando, se llevan pero no se aguantan. Si el cantico haya originado en cualquier otro pais, te valdria un centavo, pero porque es Mexico, y tu claramente tienes resentimiento en contra de nuestro pueblo, armas un pedo de la nada. Gente hipocrita y que se siente superior como tu es lo peor que existe hoy en dia.
       
    24. Sanchito

      Sanchito Member+

      Jul 15, 2005
      an island in my mind

      Stuff I'm Not Writing About

      By Bill Archer on Jun 27, 2017 at 9:44 AM
      lel at the faux outrage this hack is trying to muster up...meanwhile American Outlaw douchebags mimicking Mexican fans by yelling, "You suck a**hole" is the epitome of football culture...What is the goalie they are yelling at sucking @Bill Archer ? Surely not penis! Could this be USA fans questioning the goalies sexuality? The faux-rage! Actually it's mostly embarrassing that the outlaws copied Mexico fans. Then again they're your audience aren't they? I must say you all deserve each other. You all are trees falling in the forest only no one is around to hear it, except you lot. So I guess you do make a sound, but from where I stand it sounds more like a whimper rather than a tree falling.
       
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