Cruel Optimism Sports Blog

In what has been a troublesome week for Toronto Mayoral candidate Adam Giambrone  (Giambrone admits to other affairs, quits race), likely the biggest issue in the English Premier League this last few weeks has been John Terry’s affair with the ex-girlfriend of former teammate Wayne Bridge.

In what’s an amusing declaration of the the British media’s priorities, it choose to focus its attention is on the fact that John Terry was disloyal to Bridge – and he was that – rather than the fact that he’s been unfaithful to his wife.

Will they be able to make up and resolve their differences? Maybe. But his marriage is f**ked!

I wonder what the coverage would be if this wasn’t a World Cup year, where the entire English Nation is praying for successful campaign, and a rift in the ranks could kill their chances.

The issue is brought into sharper focus now that, first choice left-back, Ashley Cole has been ruled out for 3 months. Will Bridge now start along side Terry? Ooooh.

Really I don’t think it matters for the English team. They’re professionals and they’ve got bigger things at stake than personal relationships. There’s a World Cup to be won.

“There is no other legal text that would allow the committee to impose sanctions for any incidents missed by match officials” – FIFA.

Earlier today Thierry Henry faced a FIFA disciplinary committee for the deliberate hand ball in the France v. Ireland game.

We all know what happened: Henry stops the ball from running out with his hand (twice), he crosses to Gallas, Gallas scores. France go to the World Cup and Ireland go home shell shocked. Ireland pleaded for a replay, but their requests where ignored by both FIFA and the French football association.

Ultimately France, the more marketable team, qualified. This of course is exactly what FIFA wanted, made evident by the fact that the first time in Qualification history the playoffs were seeded.

So, what happens to Henry? I expected that he’d get a 3 game ban. He gets nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Eduardo was banned for 2 Champions League games this season for a diving. The original incident was missed by the officials, but after later reviewing the evidence the Arsenal player was slapped with a two match ban.

His ban was overturned on appeal, but surely this sets precedent for punishing players based on video evidence.

Granted it was UEFA that banned Eduardo. This is FIFA you’re dealing with. UEFA at least proved they’re willing to try and address obvious failures. Not just ignore, and hope everyone forgets.

I don’t about you, but I’m putting a nice bet on France this World Cup. Seems like FIFA, Sepp Blatter and Platini are doing their best to help them out.

Allez Les Bleus

Irish people around the globe let out a collective sigh of relief when the World Cup draw was finalised.

England and France were not paired together and deciding who we would be supporting in that game can be put off, hopefully indefinitely.

We have until the quarter finals to figure out how we’re going to deal with this, by which time hopefully one of the two will have been eliminated, saving the lives of millions who would have died from indecision.

Possible dates to watch for:
Should both of the teams win their groups, or both finish second, and survive through the round of 16, then we’ll see them meet in the quarters. Scarier still, if one wins their group, and the other finishes second, then the soonest that they’ll meet is in the final. On the day that happens you’ll find me cowering under my duvet, knees drawn to my chest, rocking gently.