Tag Archives: Jerk-Knee

Some Footballer Tips on How to Make Sincere Apologies

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To err is human. To err gravely is footballer. In the last few months, we’ve seen some pretty atrocious actions by a few soccer players. The EPL has been marred by dissidents and racists. La Liga has been cursed by malevolent dubsteppers. However, I always hate the sin, not the sinner. And by “sin” I don’t mean “Sin Bad”, although I never did get the contemporary comedian’s jokes. Also, the Arabian Nights tale is kinda long at parts. No, I mean “sin” as in “immoral offense.” The point is simple: these players committed offenses, but have apologized. From the bottom of their hearts, they plead for mercy. We should forgive them. Despise the sin, not the Sinbad. Criticize the foot stomp, not Pepe’s foot.

We have a lot to learn from footballers about sins and forgiveness. In particular, we have a lot to learn from their super sincere apologies. Here are a few key tips will help us all in the future should we need to beg for pardon. Continue reading “Some Footballer Tips on How to Make Sincere Apologies” »

Calculated Logic Behind Liverpool's Defense of Luis Suarez

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I wrote a thoughtful piece at the Run of Play on linguistic differences between Spanish and English. Since then, the FA has banned Luis Suarez for 8 games based on allegations that he made racist remarks. I don’t care to get into the mucky and murky waters of administrative proceedings. Rather, I want to focus on Liverpool’s official statement in response. Why? Well, because unlike other snobby bloggers, I can see the logic. The calculation is simple, yet makes perfect sense.

And now we must take this logic to its rightful conclusion. Continue reading “Calculated Logic Behind Liverpool's Defense of Luis Suarez” »

Horrific Tragedy Bootstrapped to Champions League Recap

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This past weekend, a German referee attempted to commit suicide. CNN reported on this tragedy, and also managed to sneak in the same article some game recaps. Tactful! The Guardian did one better, reporting racism charges against Luis Suarez while also letting us know that the alleged racist did not play in an international friendly due to injury. Useful! I will now do them both one up by reporting on this week’s Champions League fixtures…..and the gruesome puppy death(s).

(Associated & Fabricated Press) – Today, we regret to report the death of over 200 adorable puppies. And a less than adorable nun and bus driver. At eight o’clock at night, the Save-a-Pup bus, full of 200 recently rescued puppies, rambled down the road on its way to a warm & welcoming puppy shelter. Little did the driver realize that rather than heading towards Brownsville, Texas, he and the puppies were on track for their own grisly deaths. Continue reading “Horrific Tragedy Bootstrapped to Champions League Recap” »

Why Are There Only White Stars on the American Flag?

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So, I have a two-post series at FoxSoccer about the US, and US soccer, and our twisted, bizarre, schizophrenic, and bipolar relationship with Mexico and Mexican Americans. I give Fox credit for letting me be candid, honest, and frank about both sides of the equation – I address how and why Hispanics have been somewhat excluded in the current US setup. I also speculate as to how they can be un-excluded. In the end, I’m optimistic about the future, so don’t go call BP and give them my IP Address just yet. Part 1 is available here.

However, the US vs. Honduras game presented a related & pressing topic not addressed in those posts. I speak, of course, about the banter about “Can the US play a home game at home?” Basically, how should we deal with complaints that the stadium composition for US games against Latin teams is “too ethnic” and there’s no “home field advantage.” Is it true? Is it a genuine problem? Or does the framing of this “problem” reveal deep-rooted prejudices?

I’m really just gonna shoot from the hip on this topic because 1) I’m still deciding myself how I feel, and 2) Your input & perspective have just as much to teach me. Please comment. Unless, of course, you hate America. Which you say you don’t but your frequent trips to go shopping in Europe suggest otherwise. Buckle up & here we go. Continue reading “Why Are There Only White Stars on the American Flag?” »

Possible Permutations of United's Partial Flotation in Singapore

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After our last post on club ownership, some curious readers and tweeters have asked – what exactly is a “partial flotation” on a stock market? What does Manchester United plan to do? Generally, the Red Devils want to go public, but not as publicly as we’d like. They want cash, but not transparency. How can we tell? For starters, they have chosen the Singapore Stock Exchange, which has less disclosure requirements than the LSE. Secondly, I’ve glanced at a few recent Singapore IPO listings, brushed up on international finance 101, and brainstormed a few possible permutations for this alleged “partial flotation.”

Things do not look pretty. Here are the likely forms and results: Continue reading “Possible Permutations of United's Partial Flotation in Singapore” »

An Open Letter to Arsene Wenger to Release from the Shackles of Arsenal one Mikel Arteta

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Dear Arsene Wenger,

I write you on behalf of humanity. We all know why you signed Mikel Arteta – not to compete for trophies, but rather to crush his boyhood dream of playing for Barcelona. In fact, Arteta played youth football for the club, but left for PSG because he couldn’t break into the starting eleven. But let’s not let the past obscure the present.

Everybody is on to your little game of “kidnap and ransom Catalan youth academy players.” We know that your scouts snoop around the city parks near La Masia, standing by the slides and monkey bars and offering chocolate to promising young players. On at least five occasions, your operatives offered a nine year old Andres Iniesta a Hershey’s kiss. On at least two occasions, one twelve year old Xavi Hernandez was offered Snickers’ bars. Continue reading “An Open Letter to Arsene Wenger to Release from the Shackles of Arsenal one Mikel Arteta” »