And something interesting is brewing. Apparently the deadline for the official list was today. But France MNT can't still get 18 players to come, because clubs are refusing to release players. They got a first dispentation when they were allowed to pick players outside of the 50 (!) players original long list. Now they got an extra two days to pick players and l'equipe suggest the list will be 22 iso 18+4 because players don't want or their club don't want them to go as reserves only. The new rule would be coach would do like at the Euros where they have 26 players and leave 3 out of the matchday squad. It would be 18 players picked out of the 22 at the coach convenience for every game.
"Even before this it was well know that there's things in works for (changes to the roster rules), and obviously we thought about it, we were preparing in some ways for it. If that happens, we're hoping to be ready if the changes come in place." — Andonovski cont. #USWNT— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) June 30, 2021
Is 17 the absolute max number of players that could theoretically play in a game? 5 subs makes 16. 6th sub in extra time makes 17. How does the new concussion sub work? Could that bring it over 17? Because if not, then choosing a gameday 18 out of 22 makes sense. It gives you the max number of theoretical subs plus a GK.
If this happens, it is the worst travesty I've seen since... well, since the beginning of history, I guess! And, of course, it will favour USA, whose coach even openly admits to have prepared for that!!! For god sake, he's saying out loud that he basically cheated on the roster based on a solid conviction that the rules could have been changed. Now, to make just a little less unfair this fair of the unfairness (sorry-not-sorry for the mass of puns), other NTs should be allowed to change their rosters accordingly. I guess many coaches would have made different choices if they had known what USWNT's basically admits he knew (or suspected).
He apparently said it was well known they were considering some adjustments to the rules. If it was well known, I do not see anyone having a reasonable complaint.
Yeah, some contradictions in above Andonovski statement... What's of most impotance it does not establish: who really knew and from how long? It's strange cuz the proposition like that had to go thru FIFA Medical Committee at some point for sure (BEL, ARG, USA, PAN, MAS, ESP, EGY, SWE, NZL, JPN, ALG) but even after that - it's still a major change - that needs approval from The Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions, before it's presentation to IOC. Couple of FIFA gatherings were held during last 6 months yet nothing leaked about it.. The changing of rules will benefit all participating players for sure. Question is does it's late introduction benefits all teams equally? Teams with big player pool ...or big FIFA pull - have the advantage here.
My understanding, from a source with knowledge, is that the proposed Olympic soccer roster changes—which now sound like they will happen—are that all 22 players (including the 4 alternates) will now be considered to be on the full roster, and 18 can be selected for each gameday.— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) June 30, 2021
https://sakanowa.jp/topics/46508 Same kind of comments from a Japanese National team staff. "We're preparing as a team of 22 players, and I expect some other countries are too" So the only way this makes sense to me now is that this discussion was all happening quietly for months before it was known to the public. But the same staff member said that there are concerns that the new rule might work unfairly for some countries. It's all so mind boggling. If they were discussing this for a while now why not make the decision or at least release a statement before the olympic roster was due?
I am quite sure the request for change from Netherlands and USA started that process. The fact that the FFF have been pushing for that change too and all the dispensation we got about the roster rules to be able to get a squad available for the MNT team helped to get it over the line. I don't think FIFA or the IOC would have liked to see France MNT out of the Olympics because of the squad rules.
If this is a problem for the men's side, where clubs aren't willing to release players, making it a difficult task in getting players for the Olympics, then this is a problem that has developed that will most likely bring about permanent change to the roster size for future Olympics.
I don't know, I think this might be a one off due to the pandemics. And the French clubs being **** because having like 70% of your 50 players longlist being rejected does not happen in every country.
It's becoming more likely that the Olympics are going to be held under a state of emergency after new Covid cases surged from yesterdays 592 to todays 920. It's a complete failure for the government since last state of emergency was only lifted about 2 weeks ago. That poll I posted here a while back isn't going to mean a thing now that the situation is suddenly so dire. If things continue to go south like this there will be many angry people wanting the olympics canceled. As much as I want the olympics to be held, I have to admit it's so tiring to be in the middle of all this. Maybe they could move it to somewhere in the middle of the pacific or maybe Mars. Just far away from my city. We'll know how bad this surge of cases is right about when the woso tournament starts. If the state of emergency has the intended effect, that's when the number of cases will peak and start to decline. Things probably wont get better anytime soon though because people are starting to use the fact that the olympics are being held as an excuse to do whatever they like and the gov doesn't have any means to stop them. As some of you may know Japan doesn't have any laws it can enforce to prohibit people from traveling. In fact something like a "lockdown" is constitutionally banned in this country. A state of emergency basically just means the government is pleading people to stay home and this time I'm not sure many people will listen. Despite all I said here though, the olympics are going to be held 99%. So I guess...pray for us? I really tried to find some positives here there just aren't many. I was so happy this morning when I found out team Netherlands arrived.
I can tell from experience in my country, that a massive vaccination campaign could have made a big difference. Too late for that, I am afraid and, yes, what you are left with, basically, is everyone just being individually very cautious and... yes, prayers, maybe, if you believe in their effectiveness. Being close to you (not really, just in spirit and with the proper social distancing, but sincerely).
Just saw a story this morning that the Oly officials (or Government officials) were asking (pleading) with people to stay away from the marathons and fast-walking competitions which have routes through the city. @Ponde_Ringu stay safe.
BREAKING: Japanese government declares state of emergency in Tokyo due to coronavirus, just 2 weeks before the Olympics— BNO News (@BNOFeed) July 7, 2021
After seeing China roster (6 players are missing from that play-off vs. South Korea in April) I'd like to change my predictions now. Group E---------------------Group F----------------------Group G 1.JPN-----------------------1. BRA-------------------------1. SWE 2.GBR-----------------------2. NED-------------------------2. USA 3.CAN-----------------------3. CHN-------------------------3. AUS 4. CHI-----------------------4. ZAM--------------------------4. NZL QF JPN - CHN SWE - CAN BRA - USA GBR - NED SF JPN - SWE BRA - NED Gold JPN - BRA Bronze SWE - NED
My prediction: Group E 1.JPN 2.CAN 3.GBR 4.CHI Group F 1.NED 2.BRA 3.CHN 4.ZAM Group G 1.USA 2.SWE 3.AUS 4.NZL QF JPN - AUS USA - GBR NED - SWE CAN - BRA SF JPN - USA NED - CAN Bronze JPN - CAN Gold USA - NED
In light of the state of emergency implemented in Tokyo, it has been decided at a five-party meeting today that no spectators will be allowed into any venues in Tokyo during the Olympic Games. For further informationhttps://t.co/FVb4kueNKe— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 8, 2021
None. Athletes can be removed, or teams can be removed. But I would very highly doubt any events get cancelled. I'm just wondering how they would handle it if one team had to go into quarantine in the eve of a semifinal or final and couldn't field a full team.
'It makes my blood boil' - NWSL's Pride, Courage slammed as Riley, Erceg denied New Zealand link-up Pride and Courage: we will release As Canarinhas but not the Kiwi's
Sermanni has been too much of a gentleman in his career, so everyone thinks that he can step on his toes.