Programming Note

I will be out of pocket for the next few days so I will not be able to write regularly. I invite you to read the archives at right.

Thanks for reading, and we'll be back at it in a few days.

Finally, just to reflect for a second on yesterday's post ... do we really want an MLS match to look like this?

Sadly Gillette Stadium may soon unless things get better.

Front Page of the WSJ, and "Below the Fold"

To Show Their Support, Soccer Fans in the U.S. Need to Master 'Tifo'

SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Members of the 1906 Ultras, a fan club for the San Jose Earthquakes soccer team, had a lot at stake as they trooped into Buck Shaw stadium here for a game earlier this season.

The concern wasn't so much their team's prospects against rival Real Salt Lake. The big test was their own performance in the stands. ...

See the whole story here, from the WSJ.

Kicking Back Comments: Here are the article on the front Page of the WSJ:

Mideast Turmoil Spreads,

Fed Acts to Fix Jobs Market,

President Holds Lead in Three Key States, and

U.S. Soccer Fans Attempt 'Tifo'

Which story does not belong?

I am a little surprised frankly the WSJ went there. It's not even a good article.

Why is this on A1? I have to believe there are a few other things going on that should make A1.

Now I get this is a WSJ "A-Head", and the library of WSJ A-Heads can be found here. It was just widely out of place, and had almost no point to me.

I dunno, I'm not saying everything has to be serious all the time, but this article to me was particularly vapid. This includes the reference to ultras-tifo.net, which is running ads from holliganart.com.

Maybe its me. Is this the A-Head to run?

Really?? I'm Shocked!!

Clubs demand more World Cup cash

The European Club Association president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has opened talks with Sepp Blatter after calling for more of FIFA's World Cup money to go to clubs.

A total of 575 clubs are receiving payments from UEFA for releasing their players for Euro 2012, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Juventus all due to receive more than ¬2 million. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of ESPN.

Kicking Back Comments: Best line of the article is the quote from the European Club Association president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. It states in full:

"Sepp Blatter told me that he recognizes the clubs as the roots of football," Rummenigge said. "You know the roots always need water, and the water has to come from FIFA."

More like blood from a stone.

A Freaking Armadillo?

Armadillo to be 2014 FIFA World Cup mascot

Rio de Janeiro: A rare species of armadillo is set to be the official mascot for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

World football’s governing body FIFA registered a patent for the mascot on the European Union’s trademark website OHIM Tuesday, just days after the design was shown on Brazilian TV show Fantastico, reports Xinhua. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of FirstPost.

Kicking Back Comments: What a horrible choice for a mascot! There could have been so many more creative picks. I think they make it worse by allowing the name of the horrible choice to be picked via internet poll. Surely nothing can go wrong there.

Other than the animal being able to roll itself into a quasi-spherical shape, where is the tie in?

I am a way bigger fan of Jaunito or Tip and Tap from the 1970 and 1974 World Cups respectively. Even Pique was pretty good, but would likely never pass today's PC standards.

I think it was the US who took it off the rails with Striker, the World Cup pup, after that it has been all animals, all the time. See a history here of the World Cup mascots.

I wait with anticipation what the World decides the armadillo's name to be.

Any guesses? Post them below.

"Law 18" Strikes Again

Time To Gift Them Common Sense As The ‘Football Laws’ Continue To Fail Them

Referees, you either loathe or hate them. Their very presence on the football pitch fills you with rage, safe in the knowledge that they’re just moments away from a complete lapse in judgement or inexplicably getting in the way of a sweeping counter-attack.

I will confess to having launched a few foul-mouthed tirades in their direction, remarking about how they should have gone to Specsavers or joining in when the crowd refer to them as Wayne Kerr (whoever he is). Perhaps we are too quick to criticise those men in black, especially when their job is made impossible by the playacting antics of a select few. It’s always been my belief that referees are hampered rather than helped by Fifa’s governing directive, constantly trying to justify their mistakes with the phrase, ‘the letter of the law states…’ ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of footballfancast.com.

Kicking Back Comments: The conclusion of this article is interesting and I think paints the picture of what people want out of referees. It states in full:

"I personally believe the game would benefit from placing the trust in referees to use their own knowledge and experience to make decisions. If the Fifa handbook allowed enough flexibility to be used as guidelines rather than strict commandments then perhaps officials could go one week without suffering ridicule from the stands or in the press. It’s certainly a better solution than having two wand carrying statues at each end of the pitch."

Now the interesting part is that referees have full authority to do as the author of this piece suggests, with a couple of notable caveats.

It is interesting though as it remains clear this is "what the people want", and frankly, what the very best referees do innately.

Where is Gellette Stadium?!?

FIFA 13 stadium list

The list has been leaked, but here are the stadiums that you will be able to have matches in FIFA 13.

See the whole list here, from The Examiner.

Kicking Back Comments: While Gillette is certainly no Old Trafford, I think it rates. After all, a couple of World Cups, and a ton of international friendlies. What would it take for EA to render it??

No Medal For You?

FIFA sets date to judge case of South Korea player’s political banner at London Olympics

ZURICH — A South Korea soccer player who displayed a political sign after the bronze-medal match at the London Olympics will have his disciplinary case heard on Oct. 5.

The verdict will help decide if Park Jong-woo gets the bronze medal that the International Olympic Committee has withheld since Aug. 10. ...

See the whole story here, from the Washington Post.

Kicking Back Comments: This is interesting to me. Remember before in "Should We Punish the Undeserving?" where we spoke about FIFA and other competition authorities "feeling the scenario"?

Here is a good chance for FIFA to do just that. Villa in that case lifted his short during play to reveal a heartfelt message about his family who nursed his soul through his broken leg.

In the current case Jong-woo, seemed to have a similar spontaneous, yet far more political expression after South Korea's win over Japan in August for the bronze medal.

Remember, the IBD states "... political, religious or personal statements." While the Villa statement is certainly personal, and the Jong-woo message is certainly political, both are equally prohibited.

Let's see if FIFA is evenly handed in enforcing their own Board Decisions.

U.S. Defeats Germany

U.S. defeats Germany for FIFA U-20 World Cup title

The United States won the women’s under-20 World Cup for the third time on Saturday after Kealia Ohai scored late in the first half to secure a 1-0 win over defending champion Germany in the final.

Crystal Dunn beat a German defender in the area and squared a pass to Ohai, who sent a right-foot shot over goalkeeper Laura Benkarth in the 44th minute. ...

See the whole story here, from The Globe and Mail.

Kicking Back Comments: Well, this is better than the MNT who lost 2-1 to Jamaica. While still in 2nd place in Group A qualifying ... its far from over.

Happy 46th Anniversary!!

Doodle courtesy of Google

'Star Trek: The Original Series' Doodle nod: 3 enduring years

The Google Doodle's "Star Trek" tribute offers up a fine way to waste some time on a Friday: an interactive homage to the groundbreaking television show on its 46th anniversary.

"Star Trek" was a relatively short-lived science-fiction series, running from 1966 to 1969. But the show, starring William Shatner as Capt. James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock, left an indelible mark on our culture, a mark that exists today. (And we're not just talking about those Priceline Negotiator commercials.) ...

See the whole story here, for the LA Times.

Kicking Back Comments: "Live long and prosper", readers of Kicking Back.

You can tell people are getting amped up for (the new) Star Trek 2 as well due out in May 2013. Take a look at this fan film trailer. It is off base however as Simon Pegg and Chris Pine have said that the film is not Kahn (or KKKAAAAHHHHNNNNNNNN in Kirk speak). It's fun none the less.

No agreement ... No referees

NFL, officials’ union meeting ends without agreement

NEW YORK — The NFL and its on-field referees union failed to reach an agreement when they met Saturday, and the league said it’s proceeding with replacement officials.

The NFL locked out the referees in early June, then hired replacements, whose work in exhibition games has been heavily criticized. ...

See the whole story here, from the Washington Post.

Kicking Back Comments: One very interesting part of this article was the NFL's thought of hiring (1) full time crew to essentially be a liaison between the referees and the league. Now the less interesting part was the NFLRA's response of ... pay us better. That was pretty weak.

That said, the NFL should take a page out of the MLS playbook as they have employed "full time" referees for a while. The exact numbers has flexed a bit from what I understand (at one point it was up to 3 guys), but the concept is there.

From what I have heard on the street, these guys were getting paid in the order of $50K per year. It makes me wonder what the NFL is proposing for a salary.

Now, given the player minimum league salary for the NFL is $390K for 2012 (source), and for the MLS is $34K for 2012 (source), should it scale appropriately? Should a NFL "full timer" get $500K a year in salary? Or asked another way, why should a referee be paid near the level that a rookie is making?

Take a look at MLB unpires. After a stint in the minor leagues, these guys when they hit "the show" can make up to $300K annually ($140K is the average). NBA, about $120K on average annually. NHL is about the same as MLB on average.

Now lets be fair, MLB, NBA, and NHL schedules are grueling, NFL is not. Even MLS plays more than the NFL and its referees get paid far less. (NFL salaries are ~$25K - $70K, MLS is based on number of games, but assuming you do a match every week ... which you won't ... you would make about $19K (36 weeks * $600).

I'd be interested in the actual numbers from the NFL, but a game a week for 20 weeks or so ... $100K? That's pretty good, and the league can certainly afford it.

We'll see where this goes, and what happens after week 1 ... but I think there will be a "squeal point" in there from the NFL that will be directly proportional to the number of "blown calls" in real matches.

After all, its how GLT made it to reality.

US stop Falconets from FIFA U-20 World Cup final

US stop Falconets from FIFA U-20 World Cup final

Nigeria’s Falconets on Tuesday failed to qualify for the final of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan, after a 2-0 loss to two-time champions, the U.S., at the Tokyo National Stadium. Goals from Morgan Brian and Kealia Ohai halted the ambition of the Nigerian side who were runmners-up at the last edition, two years ago in Germany, and had appeared destined for the 2012 edition’s final match.

The Falconets domintated the game in terms of possession, always keeping the U.S on the retreat, but the failure to take their chances as a result of poor shooting did them in. ...

See the whole story here, from Business Day.

Kicking Back Comments: Anyone hear of Margaret Domka? I hope so, she is representing us well in Japan. Take a look at her blog here for the details.

Pia Sundhage steps down as United States Women's coach

Pia Sundhage steps down as United States Women's coach

Pia Sundhage has decided to step down as manager of the United States women's team, ending a successful five-year stint with the side. Sundhage declined to extend her stay as she wanted to coach in her home country Sweden.

"After the Olympics we had discussions and early in the process it became clear that Pia was very interested in returning home to Sweden," said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati in a statement. ...

See the whole story here, from Goal.com.

Kicking Back Comments: I think she got it just right ... go out on top. I wonder if she saw issues with a 2015 World Cup victory? I do not think it was, as some have commented, that it was a Hope Solo issue.

Happy Labor Day

In honor of Labor Day, there is no post today.

See you all in a few days ... thanks for reading!

Send in the Clones

NFL to use replacement officials for Week 1

NEW YORK | The NFL will open the regular season next week with replacement officials and said it was prepared to use them "as much ... as necessary" afterward.

Replacements will be on the field beginning Wednesday night when the Dallas Cowboys visit the New York Giants in the season opener, league executive Ray Anderson told the 32 teams in a memo. Negotiations are at a standstill between the NFL and the officials' union. ...

See the whole story here, from nwi.com.

Kicking Back Comments: Can you imagine what must be going through these replacements heads? I remember my first pro match as a 4th official back when I was 19 or so. It was at BU and involved the Boston Bolts.

I was terrified as it was the first time I was even involved with the pros at any level. My last match before that was an amateur match the previous week between two ethnic Boston area teams in a lousy neighborhood of Boston.

It was easier than the very well behaved pro match.

Heck, when I joined the MLS ranks in 1995, and served as a 4th, JAR, and SAR for several years before getting a shot in the middle, I figured I was a "seasoned pro." I was ready and could handle anything they threw at me, right?

Wrong.

I vividly recall Spartan Stadium, and the match between the (then) San Jose Clash, and Colorado Rapids. I was welcomed by Marcel Balboa almost knocking me on may a$$ and telling me to get the hell out of the way during the opening minuets.

I was kinda in the way ... but he was making a point ... and I took note of it.

I was not in Kansas any more Toto ... and neither are these guys who are stepping in this week.

After failing that assessment I went on to take some lumps and learn a whole bunch ove rthe next 10 years as a pro referee. Most importantly, the pro's are a whole different level than anything else.

I would imagine our replacement brethren will figure this one out soon enough on Sunday.

Good luck to them all.

Well ... not quite what I expected on age limits

Blatter opposed to age limits for FIFA officials

BERNE (Reuters)- FIFA president Sepp Blatter is against age restrictions for officials in soccer's governing body although he would be prepared to accept a limit on the length of time they can hold office, he said on Wednesday.

The 76-year-old Swiss said he was also opposed to standing areas in soccer stadiums, placing him on a collision course with both the Bundesliga and the national league in his homeland.

"I'm in favour of limiting the length of time officials can serve but against an age limit," he told Germany's Sport Bild magazine. ...

See the whole story here, from moneycontrol.com.

Kicking Back Comments: And here I was thinking Sepp was saying that REFEREES should not have age limits if they can perform. But alas, the ever benevolent Blatter was concerned more about his fellow government officials.

I am happy to see he at least supports term limits ... which would take effect after he left of course.

There was nothing reported about you can only embezzle your weight in Swiss Francs. Maybe next Executive Meeting they'll get to that one.

Should 45 really be the age cap?

Maybe because I am quickly approaching this age served as my inspiration for writing this article.

Maybe it was watching Jens Voigt win stage 4 of the USA Pro Cycling Tour, or pull on the KOM jersey. He will be 41 Soon.

Maybe it was watching Chris Horner finish 13th in the TdF, 93rd in the Olympics two weeks later, and two weeks after that 13th in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, where he helped RSNT win a the team classification as well. He will be 41 soon too.

I can go on, and on, and on about elite level athletes that are not 20 somethings, or even 30 somethings but take a look here at 40 something Olympic athletes. There were even more than a few medals won by folks in that age range too.

Now you may say that some of these events, almost anyone could compete as there is not a ton of "athleticism" needed. Shooting is a good example where you need to be very skilled, but not particularly aerobically fit. Ah, but what about tennis, equestrian, or yes, soccer.

So, if one can be 40+, or even 50+ and Olympic fit, why does FIFA limit the age of referees to 45?

I don't think it can reasonably be seen as a fitness thing anymore. Take a look at Joel Friel's blog on aging athletes. In particular, The Aging Athlete - My First 68 Years. The data just is not there that after 45, you drop off a cliff in fitness.

Fit is fit, and if you can attain, and maintain it, there should be no reason why a referee should not be able to work matches. US Soccer has actually almost got themselves into some trouble over this from a veteran MLS referee, Marcel Yonan. While that case was tossed (opinion here), as age discrimination is not a factor in dealing with independent contractors, such as referees, it likely sent the correct message to the Federation ... even old referees should be able to work in MLS.

Take a look here for a brief debate on the topic from UEFA:


Then again, and the point is made in the video, 45 may be perfect to "go out on top" as many of us don't know when to quit. Just look at me and my cycling ...

I still think 45 is too young though, and the wily veteran referee has a special place in the international game today. They should not be excluded just because of an incorrect perception that us old folk are not fit anymore.

MLS In Lance Armstrong's Corner

Donors standing by Lance's foundation

NEW YORK (AP)
Lance Armstrong's reputation may be in tatters but in the eyes of corporate and individual donors, his charity still wears an unsullied yellow jersey.

Armstrong announced last week he would no longer fight the doping allegations that have dogged him for years. He was subsequently stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles and banned from professional cycling. ...

See the whole story here, from Fox Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: From the article:

"And the home of Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City will continue to be called Livestrong Sporting Park. The club, which has promised to donate $7.5 million in stadium revenues to Armstrong's foundation over six years, says it will not consider renaming the Kansas City, Kan., venue."

I had a tough time convincing Anon the other week about how folks would separate the alleged drug cheat from the philanthropist. It would seem form this report, that is exactly is what is happening, and indeed is rallying support for Livestrong.

I'm glad to se it personally, as I have shared here, regardless of if the man cheated, or created a ring of cheaters, he is doing great stuff now, and should be recognized for that.

Qatar in the hot seat

FIFA investigates: World Cup host Qatar in the hot seat

Three major investigations into corruption in global soccer are putting the credibility of major soccer associations and World Cup 2022 host Qatar to the test and could challenge the Gulf state’s successful bid as well as a massive Asian soccer rights contract.

World soccer body FIFA’s newly-appointed corruption investigator Michael Garcia announced this week that he would investigate the controversial awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar as well as the 2018 tournament to Russia. FIFA Independent Governance Committee head Mark Pieth concluded earlier that the awarding of two the events had been “insufficiently investigated." ...

See the whole story here, from playthegame.org.

Kicking Back Comments: Bah. It's not nearly hot enough yet for Qatar, whose average daytime temperature is about 101F this time of year. Great place for a World Cup ...

Uh Oh ...

FIFA to review the awarding of 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar

The new chief of the FIFA Ethics Committee has pledged to put the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar under scrutiny.

The awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany will also be thoroughly analyzed as part of the inquiries. The newly-appointed joint chief investigator of FIFA’s ethics committee Michael Garcia, made the comments on German television. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of RT.com.

Kicking Back Comments: Interesting, but at the end of the day I think the decisions will stand. I believe these have the best hope of a thorough investigation, and no doubt some noise, and maybe even a Blatter "retirement" will come out of it, but little else.

Too much time will have gone by and money changed hands for FIFA to reasonably yank the tournament certainly from Russia, and likely not from Qatar.

Kudos to the ethics committee of FIFA however, for even being willing to open Pandora's Box with regard to this matter.

Lance Armstrong Has Won the War

This one has been stewing in me for the last couple of days. I have gone through a range of emotions from shock and disappointment when Madame X  whispered "Lance quit" in my ear Friday morning, to anger wondering why he quit with Jr. asking me the same thing Friday morning, to elation when I really starting thinking about what the result of Lance refusing to go to arbitration means.

First, let me be clear about my position on steroids, blood manipulation, and the like. They are bad, and even deadly if not used properly. The USADA I believe, serves a legitimate function is assuring that young athletes understand this, and keep those substances and practices out of their growing bodies.

Next, let me equally clear that I believe the USADA has completely exceeded its mandate generally, and with regard to the Lance Armstrong investigation, and is indeed, in Lance's words, on a witch hunt.

In the end, because of the USADA's Travis Tygart singular focus, and what would appear to be personal axe to grind, Lance by refusing to enter arbitration has dealt a death blow to the USADA and Mr. Tygart.

Now a bunch of the bobble heads out there, aside from getting the reporting all wrong, have stated that by Lance not going to arbitration, is an admission of guilt. Some would say implied, some say directly. Some even say stupidly, like the WADA chief John Fahey, who frankly should know better, or if not should really be relieved of his post.

All are wrong, and here's why.

One of the largest arguments that Lance has made all along is regarding the procedure which the USADA follows ... arbitration, and how he believes it is fundamentally unfair.

Well, as the Hon. Sam Sparks held, it is not. There are enough due process safeguards that allow it to pass muster as protecting the process that is due. Is it robust? No, certainly not as the USADA's record in arbitration is 58-2 as I talked about in Back to Arbitration?

Here's the kick about arbitration though ... you don't have to go. The USADA has exactly zero ability to compel (in the legal context) someone to appear before them to give evidence. I think lots of folks are confused, or just don't know, the difference between a criminal court, and a government organization that has limited powers. While Congress created the USADA, it did not make them a "court of sport." By Lance not appearing, it is not a nolo contendere plea, which is generally seen as an admission of guilt. It is just a choice not to appear.

I wonder if Mr. Tygart is having CAS envy?

Not only can the USADA not compel Lance to appear and give testimony, but they can not relive Lance of his TdF titles. That folks is in the sole purview of the UCI, and from what I have heard (plant tongue in cheek because everyone has heard it) the UCI and USADA are not exactly getting along these days. How likely do we really think it is the UCI will enforce a USADA request?

Even past rider Indurain is saying "... the tour victories are his ... " and are seeing the USADA's investigation as many have ... being "... without scruples ... ."

So now what? Why do I think that Lance has won the war? It comes down to a few simple points.

1. He provides no further information (note I do not say evidence) to the USADA regarding the matter.

    This has the following beneficial effects for Lance and team:

• Without this information, the case against Johan Burynell get's much thinner, and may indeed fall apart without it. If there was any actual physical evidence, Tygart would have delivered it personally to folks "... like a grim little Santa Claus ... ."
• It keeps longtime teammates off the stand, and out of trouble. Guys like Big George, Levi, DZ who would have been slapped with a minor sentence for doping as quid pro quo for testifying against Lance. Let's face it, it would have really killed everyone to see that, and frankly Tyler and Floyd are not credible even in USADA's eyes to make this case. It's not going to happen now.

2. He can stop spending money on the matter as there is nothing left for him to do, and again as the

    USADA is essentially toothless to bring an action to Lance, it is the end of the litigation line.

3. He can get on with his life. Litigation take a toll folks as many of us know. It would seem, Lance

    is more at ease now than ever before.

4. He may not, and in my opinion, will not, lose his TdF titles as the UCI will steer clear of that. Not

    only because of the tiff with the USADA, but all the 2nd place riders from those 7 TdF have doping

    issues of their own ... and it is reasonable to ask ... where is the USADA enema on those guys?

5. It denies the media more red meat. To say that the media have generally been unkind is an

    understatement. They have been in some cases, just down right grizzly and hide under the "well

    he's a cheat now" blanket to bash him senseless. Some of the best ones are slightly more neutral such

    as that from Samuel Abt, in "Rip Lance Time."

6. It denies Ahab his whale. By walking away, Lance has won the war because Mr. Tygart is toothless

    to do anything else. It very simply will never come out. So all this time Ahab has been chasing that

    whale is for naught. No ticker tape parade, no head on a mantel, nothing. Even as the camera lights

    dim on Mr. Tygarts 15 minutes, he continues to try to make deals with Armstrong to "go easy" on

    on him. What do you think Lances' reaction is to that?

7. While reaction from the media has been negative, reaction from us common folk has been positive,

    in the majority. Heck, most folks don't care if he doped, or the ring of doping he was accused of

    setting up. They care that his is a cancer survivor, and is helping people through Livestrong, and

    will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.

So with all of this, Lance has won the war. It may be uncomfortable for a bit, and his image may take a hit for a short time, but I don't think it will be too long.

At the end of the day, he's just a man that rides a bike, who has survived cancer, and absolutely no one can take that away from him, not even Ahab.