Just out of curiosity: what is the prevailing view amongst contributors on this page as regards the reallocation of the AFCON title to Morocco at the expense of Senegal?
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Just out of curiosity: what is the prevailing view amongst contributors on this page as regards the reallocation of the AFCON title to Morocco at the expense of Senegal?
I think it’s a big shame that things have come to this after almost two months. It’s bad for the image of African football and AFCON. Technically Morocco were right to appeal because the rules were broken when Senegal walked off the pitch early, at their manager’s insistence. He should have known that they could be disqualified, so should the players, but most of all the referee should have. He seemingly didn’t know what to do, and after Mane encouraged his teammates back to finish the game, the referee has let it go on, resulting in Senegal winning. That was a big mistake. I can understand Morocco appealing, but now Senegal are claiming corruption. They have appealed to have this verdict reversed, but it could take a year. Whoever is eventually credited with the win it doesn’t matter to me, in all honesty. It’s a terrible mess and brings football into disrepute. The result will always be argued about now. It’s like drug cheats in the Olympics having their medals stripped away after years of waiting for justice to be served. How does it feel for the recipient of a medal years later. It’s a hollow achievement because you were seen by everyone to lose, and when you receive a medal later it’s not the same kind of achievement, joy, celebration as it should have been at the time. It’s very sad for sport when decisions are made incorrectly when so much is at stake.
I think it’s a big shame that things have come to this after almost two months. It’s bad for the image of African football and AFCON. Technically Morocco were right to appeal because the rules were broken when Senegal walked off the pitch early, at their manager’s insistence. He should have known that they could be disqualified, so should the players, but most of all the referee should have. He seemingly didn’t know what to do, and after Mane encouraged his teammates back to finish the game, the referee has let it go on, resulting in Senegal winning. That was a big mistake. I can understand Morocco appealing, but now Senegal are claiming corruption. They have appealed to have this verdict reversed, but it could take a year. Whoever is eventually credited with the win it doesn’t matter to me, in all honesty. It’s a terrible mess and brings football into disrepute. The result will always be argued about now. It’s like drug cheats in the Olympics having their medals stripped away after years of waiting for justice to be served. How does it feel for the recipient of a medal years later. It’s a hollow achievement because you were seen by everyone to lose, and when you receive a medal later it’s not the same kind of achievement, joy, celebration as it should have been at the time. It’s very sad for sport when decisions are made incorrectly when so much is at stake.
It always remains unfortunate if the final minutes of a title match are decided by lawyers - instead of the actual players on the pitch.
Anyone support any Premier League sides?
Crystal Paalace wby
Chelsea. Not since they’ve had money and success though, it’s from much longer ago. My dad used to see them in the early 60s, and I started following them in 1969 when I was getting interested in football at 9 years old.
I am not entirely convinced that the match should be played again Paolo. The ideal situation seems to be that a referee's decision carries a certain level of finality. He should have disqualified Senegal upon reemerging back on the pitch. Failing to do so should mean that the match has been completed and the grounds for disqualification to have been disapplied. The award of trophies on a conditional basis constitutes an undesirable phenomenon. I realize that this statement may contravene current rules governing AFCON - and possibly also other competitions under the auspices of FIFA and regional institutions - but I have condoned myself a brief moment of "wishful thinking".
For me Morocco not deserved this cup
Tomorrow final playoff for world Cup Bosnia Italy...Bosnia wins,Italy goes home
Don’t you think your team will win? I reckon they will.
I don't believe,match in Bosnia very difficult
Yes, I don’t think it will be easy
From a Germany fan, I trust that Italy will qualificate to the world cup, and to be honest I can't decide who will win the world cup plus from a Bayern Munich fan I think and I hope FC Bayern Munich will win the champions League.
Ciao Simone,altra figuraccia ,altra eliminazione dai mondiali,nemmeno nei mondiali a 48 squadre ci saremo,diciamo che il risultato è giustissimo,questa è la peggiore nazionale italiana di sempre,non sappiamo nemmeno battere i rigori,ne abbiamo sbagliati due su tre,non c'entra nemmeno essere rimasti in 10 perché ci stavano dominando dal primo minuto.... chissà quando torneremo a un mondiale ...saluti e forza Milan
Sorry that Italy didn’t win Paolo. They were always good in the past but now they are disappointing. England are there but lost against Japan in a friendly last night. Too much sideways passing and a hopeful punt forward at the end. I thought they were better than that now, but without Harry Kane no chance. I hope they can get better for the World Cup.
Paolo/Simone: Last night was a disgrace to the memory of Italian giants of a distant past. An entire generation has never seen Italy perform in the World Cup. The worst part of this dire tale is that the elimination of Italy does not even come as a surprise. Hopefully, new talents will emerge on the horizon somewhere soon.
Paolo/Savi: ieri ho fatto naturalmente il tifo per l'Italia, ma abbiamo giocato molto male, e la Bosnia ha meritato la qualificazione; in ogni caso, anche se ci fossimo qualificati ai Mondiali, con questa squadra sicuramente non avremmo passato la fase a gironi. Certo, non qualificarsi per la terza volta consecutiva è grave, ma non sono sorpreso, vista la qualità dei giocatori italiani attuali, che sono pagati profumatamente e poi non sanno nemmeno tirare un calcio di rigore. Tuttavia il problema non sono esclusivamente i calciatori (che sono comunque scarsi), e nemmeno Gattuso (con tutti i demeriti che può avere pure lui), ma è proprio tutto il sistema a non funzionare.
Paolo: ora si ritorna al Campionato... spero vivamente di sbagliarmi, ma ho l'impressione che l'Inter butterà clamorosamente via un altro Scudetto
Paolo/Simone: I understand the lamentations and sympathize heavily considering the current state of the Azzurri. Except for Donnarumma - and I am aware Paolo of current sentiment in Milan since his transit to PSG - are there any players in the starting 11 or on the bench who you consider truly eligible to wear the blue shirt? And what is the current state of talents who may bring glory back to Italian soil?
Hi Paolo, may I join your conversation? Italy needs a complete rebuild, yes, and the problem seems to be a lack of sufficient investment in the future, perhaps going back too the Baggio plan not being implemented. Do you think so? There are still about half a dozen very good players in the first team, but the depth of the squad doesn’t look good enough at the moment. The old Italian teams were mentally tough too, and very difficult to beat because of their strong will. That seems to have disappeared now. It could take several years to turn this around, I don’t think that there’s a quick fix. England and Germany have rebuilt their teams and are now looking much better than say, five years ago. As for your World Cup question, I would say that the Netherlands ought to win the group, they certainly have the quality, although their mentality has been questionable in the past. Japan are for me the second best team. Sweden aren’t so strong all round in their team play, but Gyokeres is a dangerous striker and has to be stopped. Tunisia are underdogs in the group, and it would surprise many people if they managed to qualify for the next round.
Yes, Croatia are still quite good though, ranked 11th and the incredible Modric still playing top level football at 40. Ghana and Panama should not be a problem though.