FIFA's Take Is To Blame Britain For Corrupt Bids Process

((HT: Sky Sports))

Shocking no one, really...

The findings of the FIFA-requested inquiry into the 2018 and 2022 bidding processes that eventually awarded the World Cups to Russia and Qatar were revealed as clean. But the villian, as exposed by FIFA in their review press conference was Britain...

Naturally...

But the former US attorney who came up with the review is now critical of the edited version that FIFA has released themselves claiming that the edited version is wrong.

Michael Garcia has a 400-plus page report that was edited down to, about, 10-percent of that for the public review.

FIFA's top judge, Hans-Joachim Eckert, came up with his own version
((HT: Deadspin))

FIFA report

Here's the Hometown Headlines review of the findings and England is not happy...


Garcia will go in front of the FIFA Appeals Committee- which should have the attention span of a cocker spaniel when it comes to listening to their original author.

The HQ doesn't think this will go anywhere other than an appointment on a calendar...

FIFA's Next Problem: Concussions

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

As we all know, Germany needed extra time to beat Argentina in the final in Rio on Sunday.

But short of the political irresponsibility that the governing body is ignoring in picking their home nations, the new issue that the folks are not talking about when they need to discuss it is the concussions problem.

14 minutes after being taken off the pitch and being examined by his own physios, German defender Christoph Kramer collapsed on the turf and had to be stretchered off in the final against Argentina.

Kramer joined Mascherano, Zabaleta, and Pereira in playing after getting concussed- and there are those trumpeting the idea that this kind of machismo has to stop...

And quick...

Here's the discussion in "Last Call" that includes Taylor Twellman- whose career was cut short by multiple concussions.

This Was Not What Brazil Expected

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

After getting blown out in the semi-finals by a far superior German side, the Netherlands got their pound of flesh in the third-place game with a 3-0 shut out for the bronze in Rio...

And you can bet that Scolari is SO done after this loss... Brazilian fans booed their home squad after the pitch...
Here's the highlights- if you're Dutch...


"Medals for Holland, Mockery for Brazil" indeed...

The HQ always enjoys Jon Champion...

Brazil Dismantled At Home By Germany, Scolari Apologizes

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Five goals in 29 minutes... and, really, after the first goal Brazil's weaknesses were exposed. The absence of Neymar and Thiago Silva not being around on offense and the back line being caught repeatedly in transition and not being able to match Germany's offensive prowess created an awful result for Brazil.

A 7-1 loss that could have been worse if Ozil hadn't pulled up in the 90th minute.
Here's Ian and Macca


And analysis from Mike, Alexi, Gilberto, and Michael


The 7-1 loss equals their worst-ever defeat- 6-0 to Uruguay back in 1920.
And the HQ wouldn't be surprised is Scolari was asked to retire when all this is done.

But the best personification of the day came from Deadspin where Good Ol' JR called the goals- it's a must watch

And Scolari apologized in his post-match- from the London Telegraph newspaper article by Jeremy Wilson:

"Who is responsible when the team plays?" Scolari said. "I am. It's me. Who decided the tactics, I did. So the person responsible is me. If I were to think of my life as a player, as a coach, as a teacher, this was the worst day of my life. I'll be remembered probably because I lost 7-1, the worst defeat Brazil have ever had."

The Other Semi Is Set In Brazil

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

And it was one side that showed its prowess and another who escaped from Cinderella...

In the first game of the day Argentina got an early strike and rode it to a 1-0 win over a spirited Belgium side. And, with everyone looking at Lionel Messi as the man to keep in check, it was Higuain and the other nine to pick up the slack


The nightcap was Costa Rica and the Netherlands. Everyone was looking for the Oranje to steamroll the upstart of the final 8, but the Ticos made them earn it- going scoreless through 90 and extra time- forcing the Dutch to penalty kicks. Netherlands head coach Louis Van Gaal made an interesting switch leading to the kicks, swapping out goaltenders- bringing in Newcastle's Tim Krul for the final act.

The gamble worked


News on Neymar from the Brazilian physicians have him back being active in 40-45 days- certainly good news for the sport as FIFA will examine the knee to the back that caused the injury.

Wondo Back On The Mainland, Still Apologizing

((HT: CSN Bay Area))

And he is still apologizing for what went down against Belgium

Remember, San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski took to Twitter and apologized for his miss that could have sent the USMNT to the quarters to play Argentina.

I'm gutted to have let down everyone but especially my teammates. It's been an incredible ride but I know this will make me stronger.

Thank you to all the great fans that has supported this wonderful team. This is a special group made up of great teammates

Now, that he's back here in the States to get the Quakes out of the bottom of the Western Conference standings in MLS, Wondo is thinking that what went down will only make him stronger as a player.


The HQ wasn't all that cool with people turning him into a verb, but we hope he is right.
And he doesn't need to apologize for anything, but it is our way...

DEVELOPING: Neymar Out Of Rest Of World Cup

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

And you KNOW that the Argentinian futbol fans are going to want the head of the Colombian soccer squad after what went down in the 88th minute of Brazil's 2-1 win in the quarterfinals.


Juan Camilo Zuniga went high and the diagnosis is a broken vertebrae.

Now Brazil will not have Neymar or Thiago Silva for the Germany semi-final.

Brazil And Germany Through To The Semis

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

It was a day for chalk in the quarter-finals in Brazil...

Germany seemed like old Germany- suffocating on defense and relentless on offense in their 1-0 win over a confused France squad.
Mats Hummels' 13th-minute header was the difference


In the nightcap, host Brazil ended the run of Colombia with an early strike and a jaw dropping, top-spin free kick from David Silva


Two larger questions for the Selecao in the semis are around the lack of a Thiago Silva and the injury Neymar sustained late in the second half on a questionable challenge where one of the world's best took a high-speed knee to the middle of his back.

Julio Cesar also had a knee-to-knee contact in the box that led to his yellow card and subsequent PK goal by James, but his status seems more stable at present.

Eric Wynalda Does Not Like How US Soccer Was Set Up, Either...

((HT: Dan Patrick Show/Audience Network/NBCSN))

Landon Donovan was asked about what he thought when it came to Team USA's efforts in Brazil. He admitted that he thought the team wasn't set up to succeed.

The HQ would agree noticing that there was no substitute for Jozy Altidore up front (No Johnson or some such striker) and the team, offensively, seem to rope-a-dope their way through the Germany and Belgium matches waiting for a transitional opportunity to score.

Eric Wynalda appeared on the "Dan Patrick Show" and was not pleased either- bringing up points that we hadn't even considered- and even dropped an s-bomb early in the interview since he was so apoplectic about it.

It was noticed by Dan, who gave him a warning...


So there... we hadn't even thought about the whole "Michael Bradley-being out of position" thing, but we did notice that he was not around offensively as much as the entire country would have liked...

Here's All Of Tim Howard's Activity Vs. Belgium

((HT: bubbaprog's COUB))

The HQ thinks that Team USA keeper Tim Howard should not have to buy another drink in this country for the rest of his natural born life and should IMMEDIATELY be given the Congressional Medal of Honor

Here's all of his saves put back-to-back and Ian Darke gets to yell a lot, too...


The HQ blames Piers Morgan for the loss

Sunday From Brazil: Dutch Come Back On El Tri, Ticos Advance to Quarters

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

It will be one of those questions for the Dutch, now, moving forward...

Did it galvanize you or did it take too much out of you...???

Mexico had their way with the Oranje for 80 minutes or so, but head coach Louis Van Gaal made a van Persie substitution count for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for the conversion of a late PK and a 2-1 stoppage time win to advance to the final 8.

And, yes, Arjen Robben flopped for the avail on the penalty kick
Here's the analysis


And it appears that Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera would like to blame the officials for calling the Robben dive


Univision should sign Herrera for the remainder of the tournament as an analyst right now...

In the night cap, Costa Rica had the lead and was fighting off an anemic Greece offense for 20-plus minutes before a late equalizer and penalty kicks themselves. Navas came up big in net and Costa Rica advances to their first quarterfinal ever.

The whole idea of him being off his line is out the window, apparently...
All that effort from Costa Rica as they were a man down...

If Nick Saban Was In Jurgen Klinsmann's Cleats...

((HT: Fox Sports/Mike Romano via Vimeo))

This is what happens when Nick Saban is answering questions as the head coach of the USMNT after Group play...

And Mike, pretty much, nailed it...


No other questions, coach, thanks...

Suarez "Lost His Balance" Uruguay And Chile Lost Their Games

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Luis Suarez wrote his appeal to FIFA for his four-month, nine-match ban. It said in part:

"After the impact ... I lost my balance, making my body unstable and falling on top of my opponent," Suarez wrote in his submission to the panel which met Wednesday, one day after Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 in a decisive group-stage match.

"At that moment I hit my face against the player leaving a small bruise on my cheek and a strong pain in my teeth."

Well okay, then...
FIFA has seven days to hear the appeal from the Uruguayan Football Federation.

Without Suarez, the lack of offense showed in a 2-0 loss where James Rodriguez scored both goals- and, for the record, it's pronounced "Hah-mez..." and he's scored in six straight matches for Colombia...

And James' golazo sent Colombia on their way


And Colombia get Brazil in the next round as they survived their match with Chile- and it took PK's to get there.
The post became Julio Cesar's bet friend in extra time and the shootout...

And American audiences got to hear Ian and Macca call a great one...

FIFA Says Suarez Banned, Uruguay Fed Plans Appeal

((HT: FIFA/ESPN))

Of course, they do...

For the record, here's FIFA's statement:

"The player Luis Suarez is to be suspended for nine official matches. The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming [round of 16] FIFA World Cup fixture between Colombia and Uruguay.

"The remaining match suspensions shall be served in Uruguay's next FIFA World Cup matches, as long as the team qualifies, and/or in the representative team's subsequent official matches.

"The player is banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity -- administrative, sports or any other -- for a period of four months. A stadium ban is pronounced against Luis Suarez, who is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban."

It would mean that in addition to his time in Rio, you can possibly adding missing nine Premier League games, Champions League and Capital One Cup matches before the end of October. This, of course, is if Suarez even gets to stay at Liverpool. The first time he bit another player he was booted from his Dutch side.

Uruguay FA President Wilmar Valdez is appealing and he has three days to get his defense together.

ESPN dispatched Wright Thompson to Montevideo for reaction. Max Bretos tracked him down

Group of Death Recap: USMNT Can Thank Ronaldo Later (Plus Free Swinging In Ghana)

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

As it turns out, the Germany 4-0 blowout of Portugal was the decider that sent Germany and the United States on and sent Portugal and the Ghanaians home.

This is one of those times that a 1-0 loss is a win as the US moves on to play, probably, Holland


And here's how Ronaldo put the Portuguese in front of Ghana for good...


But, the incident that will make everyone remember that particular match comes from something worse than a cup-check
((HT: Jack Conness' Vine))

Just How Hard Should FIFA Come Down On Suarez...??/

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Luis Suarez says things like what happened today in the Uruguay-Italy match "happen..."

Sure they do...

"These are just things that happen out on the pitch," Suarez said. "It was just the two of us inside the area and he bumped into me with his shoulder, and that's how my eye got like this as well. There are things that happen on the pitch and you should not make such a big deal out of them."

The bitten in this case, Chiellini, thinks nothing will happen and he told Sky Sports Italia just as much:

"It's a disgrace. The referee decided this game. If either team should have gone through, then it was us.

"Giving a red card to Marchisio and no red to Suarez decided the game. There was a different treatment for both sides and that decided the game and decided who went through.

"When we had 11 men, they weren't a threat at all and we were in perfect control, but then in the end, [the red card] was decisive.

"But then Suarez gets away with whatever he wants because FIFA want the top players involved. He bit me, and the sign is there. Now [FIFA] have got to have the courage to take action."

The guys at ESPN discuss


Thoughts are coming down on Suarez that include everything from a lifetime ban (not just internationally) to expelling Uruguay from the knockout stage and giving their slot to the next man up in their Group.

What say you, faithful reader...??/

Ivory Coast Was In, Then They Weren't...

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

If the Ivory Coast won with the firepower they had- Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, Bony, and Drogba... then it would have been a great offensive show for the knockout round. If only the head coach had gotten his starting line-up right (or just kept it constant). Drogba came in as Super Sub in the 2 previous games, but was started in Game 3.

This kill shot didn't work. But a comeback over Greece almost got them in with the draw...

Yeah, that didn't go well either in stoppage time...
It has to be seen to believed...


So, Greece advances to the knockout stages for the first time with the 2-1 win...

Bully for them...

Uruguay's Advancement Overshadowed By Another Biting...???

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

This is Group of Champions and it appears that Luis Suarez is a chump- again...

Costa Rica and Uruguay advance to the knockout stages leaving Italy and England behind. But the larger issue is the apparent taking a chunk out of Chiellini's shoulder by striker Luis Suarez.

80th minute- a minute before Godin's goal against 10-man Forza- Suarez is in the box and jostling..


This is the third incident like this with Suarez. He received a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in 2013.
((HT: BPL))


Luis Suarez apologized at the time:

“I am deeply sorry for my inexcusable behaviour earlier today during our match against Chelsea.

“I have issued an apology and have tried to contact Branislav Ivanović to speak to him personally. I apologise also to my manager, playing colleagues and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for letting them down.”

In November 2010, Suárez, playing for Ajax Amsterdam, was suspended for seven games for biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal during a Dutch league game.
((HT: Football))


Suárez never played for Ajax again after the first biting incident; the club sold him to Liverpool during that winter’s January transfer window.

And the next question is: Does Suarez get suspended and do Uruguay keep him around for international play after...??/

And what does Liverpool do now...??? Pull the contract on the table...???

Mexico Advances Over Croatia: Herrera Smash...

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Mexico has had to do it the hard way for this trip to Brazil. It all started with having to qualify against New Zealand in a home-and-home just to even get in the door.

And the surprise of the tournament- outside of Costa Rica (or CONCACAF in general)- has been El Tri.

They took care of business earlier today- beating Croatia to move to the Knockout stages


But the sight of the day was current head coach Miguel Herrera and his reaction on the sidelines as his team's fate was incrementally sealed...
((HT: Goooooal's Vine))


And here...


But just think if the two calls in the second half that were not called for Mexico led to a loss...

All hell would have broken loose and the stadium would not be standing.

Of Course... FIFA Dropped The Mexico Gay Slur Case

FIFA's disciplinary panel has decided that they won't take any action against the Mexico football federation after the "investigation" of fans using a chant against the rival team's goalkeeper in previous matches this tournament in Brazil.

The chant, which (once again) the HQ will not print, is used in Mexican leagues as a tradition- calling the keeper (loosely translated) a male whore when he executes a goal kick...

FIFA says the chant "is not considered insulting in this specific context"- whatever in the blue hell that actually means.

The president of the Mexican federation, Hector Gonzalez, was interviewed by ESPN FC's John Sutcliffe who (along with national coach Miguel Herrera) didn't think the chant was all that bad in the first place when the issue first came up...
((HT: ESPN))


The HQ would like to congratulate FIFA in reinforcing who they actually are to the rest of us..