7th Time A Charm?

United States clinches place in 2014 FIFA World Cup

Thanks to their 2-0 win over Mexico and Panama drawing against Honduras, the United States has become the first team from CONCACAF to clinch their place in the 2014 World Cup. ...

See the whole story here, from SB Nation.

Kicking Back Comments: I was actually at the Brazil v. Portugal match when I was watching USA v. Mexico ... it was kind of surreal. What a great result to be going back to the World Cup a 7th time!

There are a series of excellent articles out there about the stories history between these two soccer teams. One in particular is USA vs. Mexico: A history of 'Dos a Cero' also from SB Nation. A worthy read.

A tremendous result, and one well earned to go back to the World Cup, now for a 7th time.

Will lucky 7 be a charm for the US?

A Whistle, a Punch, and a Soccer Referee Is Dead

Ricardo Portillo Update: Utah Teen Accused Of Killing Soccer Ref In Court

SALT LAKE CITY — A teenager charged with killing a Utah soccer referee because he didn't like the man's call during a game pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of homicide by assault in a case that brought new attention to the issue of violence and sportsmanship in athletics.

The plea deal was hashed out between the teen's attorneys and prosecutors as the judge planned to hear testimony to decide if the 17-year-old suspect would be tried in juvenile or adult court. Under the deal, prosecutors agreed to keep the case in juvenile court. ...

See the whole article here, courtesy of the HuffPo.

Kicking Back Comments: The title comes from the NYT article of same fame that can be found here. It was the best way I could think of to focus the mind on what happened here.

Here is another, this admitted murderers sentence is a maximum of just over 3 years.

Focused yet?

Biggest loser in this case is the Portillio family, who lost a husband and father. (see here for video)

Biggest chicken $h*t in this case is Patricia Cassell, ADA for Salt Lake County, on two levels.

First, is having the gall to say the plea deal struck is fair. Fair to who Patty? To the 17 year and 9 month old who killed an innocent man? Fair to the DA's office who took the easy way out and got a plea? Fair to the Portillio family somehow to (in my own words) "end their suffering?"

Second, is the DA's office going back on their statement they were going to have this admitted murderer tried as an adult. They took the easy way out and got the "quick win." Gotta make those numbers look good .. getting ready for the bench and all following in her husbands footsteps. Right?

Who really knows. Plea deals happen every day, all the time. Lets not forget however, it is a quid pro quo. In exchange for his guilty plea, the murderer has received only 3 years maximum. Granted the sentencing guidelines would call for only another 2 if tried as an adult, but for my money Patty, do the leg work, and get the additional 2 years. But it's so expensive to have a trial you say, tax payer dollars and all ... well then have the guts to say that to the press and Mr. Portillio's family when asked why juvenile court was the venue. Don't just shrug and say "... it would have only been another two years ..."

What amazing empathy from the ADA to the Portillio family.

Now I'll go out of my way to say that there is nothing improprietous on its face that seems to be going on here, it is however a stunning reversal for the DA for a serious crime.

Maybe I'm tainted because I expect the DA to prosecute the crime to the full extent of the law without short changing the investigative process in actually getting the necessary evidence to punish this person for what he did.

Maybe I am just so taken with the story of Matthew Cordle who killed a man, yet had the courage to admit what he did, even before he was charged, and accept his punishment for it. Punishment he deserves for killing a man.

No such honor in this case, from the criminal, or those who were responsible for prosecuting the crime.

There is one loose end however ... does US Soccer know, and is this killer now on a "no fly list" with them? I would hope a proactive lifetime ban is now in effect for this individual.

If not, shame on US Soccer.

But wait ... there's more ...

Fifa accused of ‘playing God’ by stopping 17-year-old Briton’s college education

FIFA has been accused of playing God after football’s world governing body used rules designed to prevent child trafficking to deny a 17-year-old British schoolboy the chance to take up a place on a college course – in Wiltshire.

To make matters worse, the boy’s family has concerns that the British government, while sympathetic to the their case and supportive, are reluctant to get actively involved because Fifa has a track record of suspending national associations when there has been ‘political interference’ in the football business of that nation. ...

See the whole article here, courtesy of Sporting Intelligence.

Kicking Back Comments: I have to admit, when I first read this I figured there was some clear crossed wire, or something else was going on, or was fabricated.

Yeah, not so much.

Take a look here at the decision from FIFA to keep a college kid from playing.

What is scary too is the discussion in the article about the retribution FIFA has taken on the FA in the past, and there is concern for the same in this case.

Honestly, I can actually sort of rationalize the large efforts like the racism board I ranted about yesterday. It can take time to move such a big ship. I get it.

This current situation is rather pathetic however. I mean come on, let the kid play. His folks are moving (back) in country and (in essence) not let a child play football is absurd ... even for FIFA.

For the good of the game they say ...

They could do so much if they actually wanted to

FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination to meet

The FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination will meet on Thursday 12 September, at the Home of FIFA in Zurich. The creation of the Task Force was announced by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter in early March, following a meeting of the FIFA Strategic Committee, as part of a series of measures to tackle the pressing issue of racism and discrimination in football. ...

See the rest of this propaganda drivel article here, courtesy of FIFA.

Kicking Back comments: At least there were some pictures attached to the article that looked like they were actually doing something. There's some progress on racism, eh FIFA.

All the pictures are pretty dar n pathetic, this one is my favorite however:

Photo Copyright Foto-net and FIFA (source)

So much for Mr. Nice Guy

Special Report: Qatar 2022 – A crisis of FIFA’s own making

France Football's Philippe Auclair is bringing us a three-part special report into Qatar's controversial hosting of the 2022 World Cup. In part one, he looks at how FIFA found itself in such a mess, and how Sepp Blatter has potentially opened up a huge rupture in the global game. Parts two and three will be published on Thursday and Friday.

Two years and nine months after FIFA’s Executive Committee awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar in perplexing circumstances, the uncertainty lingers: no one knows for sure what lies on that horizon, which could yet prove to be a mirage.

Sepp Blatter, who masters double negatives with something of PG Wodehouse’s virtuosity for similes and metaphors, did nothing to dispel the clouds that are gathering over the fate of that tournament when he spoke on the subject little over a week ago. ...

See part 1 of the story here, part 2 here, and part 3 here, courtesy of Yahoo! Sport.

Kicking Back Comments: I am suddenly becoming a fan of 2022 in Qatar.

It is wonderful to see FIFA implode right before my eyes, and characters like Blatter and Platini show their true hatred of the English Game.

Here are our leaders folks. How truly sad for The Game.

Failure is not an option here

The cyclist diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease who is inspiring others to ride

Viv Mackay is one of life’s joiners.

She is a member of numerous political and activist groups and used to be an active trade union official.

So it is not particularly surprising that her love of cycling led her to set up a cycling group, an event and, more recently, become an ambassador for women’s cycling.

And given her seemingly boundless energy, perhaps it isn’t surprising that she has done her best not to let Parkinson’s disease stop her from doing what she loves – cycling. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Daily Echo.

Kicking Back Comments: When I was in NH the other week completing my training for the White Mountain Gran Fondo, I saw a mountain biker with one arm, churning out the miles.

It was staggering.

It is hard enough just going out and riding a bike when things are all working the way they should, but just imaging throwing in a serious medical condition on top of it and imagine how hard it gets.

Now, in addition to all of that, to become an advocate for the sport she loves just blows my mind.

Inspiration, thy name is Viv.

And if this one does not jerk at your heart strings ...

... you may want to check your pulse.

Inspiring sports story week continues with:

St. Charles 8th-Grader With Cerebral Palsy Scores His First Touchdown

The actions of the coaches, players and opposing team bring tears to more than one eye as a 13-year-old achieves his dream in scoring his first touchdown.

Eighth-grader Jack McGraw has dreamed of scoring a touchdown for his football team at Haines Middle School in St. Charles. His was a dream, however, that seemed unattainable. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of The Patch.

Kicking Back Comments: Inspiring indeed. We should always strive to be so kind.

Inspiring sports story week continues with this ...

Iranian Referee Gets a Long-Awaited Call: He’s In

Adel Borghei spent Saturday at the United States Open, inside Louis Armstrong Stadium, clad in the navy blue uniform of a referee. He wore sunglasses and made line calls and blended into the background, even if this was far from a normal day at work. ...

See the whole story here, from the NYT.

Kicking Back Comments: There are many, many kudos to go around here for so many to make this happen.

Of course I could rail about the lunacy of something so simple made so complex ... but I won't, as in keeping with the week, for Mr. Borghei to be "called up" and serve his sport, cutting through all the lunacy, is to me, an inspirational story.

With so much bad news out there recently ...

... let's try a week of some truly inspiring sports stuff.

I think it appropriate we begin with this:

Diana Nyad completes record-setting Cuba-to-Florida swim

American 64-year-old long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad today became the first person to swim across the Florida Straits from Cuba without a shark cage, succeeding on her fifth attempt at the feat.

Nyad came ashore about 1 p.m. Chicago time, 53 hours after she set off from Havana, completing the estimated 110-mile journey and setting a record for the longest ocean swim without a shark cage or flippers, according to her crew. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.

Kicking Back Comments: I recall first introducing this topic back in 2011 with "What a crock" where I take particular aim at the FIFA age restriction of 45 years.

This more than ever resonates with me as I turn 45 later this year.

That said, now is not the time for that particular discussion, just wait until December.

Now however is the time to celebrate, a truly inspiring moment in modern sports history.

She did have one comment among many that resonated with me ...
“There is, it looks like a solitary sport, but it’s a team," Nyad concluded.

Every feel that ay in the center circle waiting to start the game?

Congratulation to Ms. Nyad!

Apparently even other MLB pitches think Dempster was "bush league"

Baseball Players Don’t Have a Problem with A-Rod via an ESPN Poll

Last week Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz came to the defense of Alex Rodriguez in the wake of the Ryan Dempster plunking on Sunday Night Baseball. If an ESPN confidential player poll is to be believed, Ortiz isn’t alone in the pro-Rodriguez camp. ESPN the Magazine interviewed 36 current MLB pitchers anonymously and asked them if they wanted to bean A-Rod?

Their answer: 100 percent no. ...

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

Kicking Back Comments: Hmmmm ... That's pretty compelling stuff actually.

There were a couple of other things that caught my eye from the actual survey results (from the above link to ESPN).

First, was this:
4. If the 211-game ban were put to a vote with players, what percentage would side with A-Rod?
Average answer: 43.6 percent

Staggeringly precise answer aside ... it is actually a pretty small number. Far smaller than I would have ever thought.

Second, was this one, which was illuminating:

8. What percentage of players do you think is still violating MLB's drug policy?
Average answer: 7.1 percent

Wow. Honestly, I think that one is scary as I interpret this one as "How many do you have actual knowledge of that are still violating the MLB policy ..."

If it is near 10% this is really a serious issue ...

But like the NFL and NBA, MLB just does not care I would opine.

Take a look at the whole ESPN survey, it does paint a picture, and one that is not good at all.

Upgrade Kudos

Congratulations to the following Massachusetts referees for their upgrade to Grade 7 (Referee 1st class):

Cara Pember, Watertown, Grade 7

Mohamed Fnine, Fitchburg, Grade 7

You make the call ... monsoon version.

Special thanks to Elie for bringing this one forward.

So ... what's the call?

Blatter: We may regret picking Brazil

Blatter: World Cup in Brazil could be mistake

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 17 (Xinhua) -- FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Wednesday it may have been a mistake to choose Brazil to host next year's World Cup.

His comments follow nationwide unrest during last month's Confederations Cup in which hundreds of thousands of Brazilians expressed anger that public money was being spent on stadiums instead of vital services like health, transport and education.

Blatter said he planned to raise his concerns with Brazil president Dilma Rousseff in September. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Xinhuanet.

Kicking Back Comments: What is sadly hilarious are Sepp's comments. He is already laying blame at the feet of Brazil. Now I for one believe that there will be significant protests during the World Cup, and based on his comments, Sepp is going to lay it right at the feet of the Brazilian government.

He forgets to give the citizens some credit, as while yes, the Brazilian government bears some responsibility for inviting FIFA (and the IOC) into their homes, these organizations have some responsibility back to the citizens (not just their government) for allowing the privilege.

FIFA courts are going to have their hands full in 2014, and certainly well beyond any "ambush marketing."

Wait for it ...

FIFA to move 2022 WC from summer?

FIFA President Sepp Blatter expects his executive committee to decide soon that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be switched from summer.

Blatter told The Associated Press on Sunday that an Oct. 3-4 meeting in Zurich should approve the change, and begin consultation on the best time for Qatar to host the tournament.

''I would be very much surprised, more than surprised, if the ExCo will not accept the principle you cannot play in summer in Qatar,'' Blatter said in an interview on the sidelines of the annual charity football tournament in his home village. ''What will be following, this would be then decided later.'' ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Fox Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: From even a neutral perspective (i.e. without regard to nationality), this is a joke as Qatar did not suddenly get really hot in summer. This leads me down the path of (a) FIFA is really, really dumb in not recognizing this fact, or (b) FIFA knew exactly this tournament was unsustainable in the summer and had designs to changes the dates all along to accommodate the bribes country that won the vote.

As a US national, this ticks me off as if this was really on the table, it should have been so up front for a level vote between Qatar and the US. Instead we get the FIFA ExCo strong-armed to vote in October in moving the World Cup. I have to believe it would have been a different result if everyone was honest upfront about what their intention was, or at least going in knowing a concession would need to be made for the heat.

Something tells me that the vote would have been very different had that been disclosed up front.

 

Happy millennial Kicking Back!

So I looked down the other day and was amazed to see that our 1000th post was at hand.

Since Monday May 31st, 2010 with West Virginia ... or Bust  we have plumbed some pretty odd depths to be sure.

A few local, state, and regional tournaments, a World Cup, some Tour de France, and even some local bike races, all with FIFA bashing in between, and a fair amount of odd commentary from me.

I have to say honestly this has gone in some directions I never expected, yet have discovered that there are many things about our game that intersect with real life. Far more than I ever really knew of, or understood.

While it is a personal goal of mine to do a bit more soccer reporting, or at least writing in the days ahead, I can only hope we will continue on this path for the foreseeable future.

I have to say too, as the graph above indicates, our readership has increased steadily over the last several years ... please note however this is from 2010, not 2007 as the graph indicates. Even with that, we are doing well I think.

We have seen visits from referees of all grades in the US and abroad. FIFA referees and ARs checking in. Pro referees from the NHL, NFL, NBA and tennis jumping in every once in  awhile. It has been pretty awesome.

What is next is anyones guess.

I have played with thoughts on format changes to things like "FIFA Friday's" to limit my bashing to a day a week ... or "Monday Mania" where we go over a decision from the weekends matches.

Some folks have asked for more interviews with referees of all walks, and I am inclined to oblige as there are some really cool referees out there.

Some have asked for more instructional material as well, and there too is a good thought as at its core it has always been an intent to share about our game ... but I find there is a wider canvas.

I dunno, but in all events I would like to keep it fun, and tangentially insightful.

So there it is, and off we go, to our next millennial.

Thanks for reading as I recognize it is you all who make Kicking Back what it is.

Upgrade Kudos

... and as if by sheer coincidence from my question of "does one want to remain a youth referee forever?" comes the following announcements from the Massachusetts Refereeing Committee.

Hearty congratulation to the following individuals for their significant accomplishments:

Erl Burns, Belmont, Grade 6

Damian Bell, Westminster, Grade 7

Cassio Ribeiro, East Bridgewater, Grade 7

Maynard Sangster, Duxbury, Grade 7

Up, Up, and Crap ... More Up

Well the time has come of one of my last events of the year, the first, and hopefully annual, White Mountain Gran Fondo.

Here is the really gross profile of the ride:

It is certainly one that does not favor me at all as I am way more at home on a flat, or in a sprint. In plain english, I am just too big to be effective in the hills.

That said, I will at least make a good show of it and throw myself against the hills and see what comes of it while riding for my team.

While I can't take claim to why I'm doing this with "... because it's there ..." as George Mallory famously did when he was asked why he was climbing Everest, I can say that I am significantly inspired to continue to progress without regard to where I am chronologically in my life.

As you may have guessed, this is a prelude into a bigger topic, as just today I received an EMail from US Soccer regarding what I would consider, significant changes with a serious impact to future referees.

Does this make it too easy to be, and stay, a youth referee, forever?

Is this good?

It makes me wonder ... and wonder I will as I slug it out in the mountains of NH Saturday.

I'll be "off line" until early next week ... but as JAFO has shown recently ... there is no shortage of controversy to discuss. Don't be surprised on an appearance, or just enjoy the archives on the right.

We'll be back at it Monday for certain.

Thanks for reading!
PK

From Humble Beginnings

Rejection, tragedy and billions of dollars - The story of FIFA

“EA didn’t give a shit about FIFA.”

Neil Thewarapperuma (or Neil T to his friends) isn’t a man to mince his words. He was the European marketing boss for EA Sports back in 1993, the year the publisher would launch its first ever football game.

He wasn’t wrong. EA didn’t care about FIFA, or soccer at all for that matter. The US publisher had no interest in a sport that was practically non-existent in its home country.

But the persistent bloody-mindedness of EA’s European outfit made FIFA happen. And it was this team who would go on to work alongside a small group of talented developers some 5,000 miles away, to build what would become one of the biggest video game franchises in the world.

This is how they did it. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of MCVUK.

Kicking Back Comments: Art imitating life I think.

This is really an amazing article for both the gamer in you, and a fan(atic) of The Game.

Don't Talk ... Don't Watch ... Just Listen

Kicking Back Comments: We thank you Sir Patrick Stewart. What a promo!

I've got to turn this into a ring tone.

Why JAFO was right, and how MLB agrees

So if you happen to miss it yesterday, JAFO and I went point - counterpoint on the Dempster - A-Rod issue from Sundays Red Sox - Yankees game.

Take a look here, for a brief recap.

I enjoyed JAFO's analysis, and as often occurs when we interact, I learn something by looking through a lens I had never before. I am learning to call it the "JAFO Effect."

Interestingly enough, almost immediately after JAFO posted the piece, Dempster was suspended, and from it, for me, it was more clear than ever that MLB through that suspension and fine, agreed with JAFO, and condoned the action of Dempster.

Let me start by agreeing with JAFO that Dempster was not trying to hurt A-Rod. If he tried to hurt him, he would have hurt him. My biggest beef was Dempster playing the "MLB Enforcer" role, then ducking the issue completely when asked directly. Yeah I know you get suspended when you make such statements, but I think it may have gone better if he said something.

Well, JAFO noted, and I agree, that a message was sent, and through the lack of direct reaction from both teams, they were "ok" with what happened.

I'll go further and say given the suspension that MLB handed down to Dempster today, they too were "ok" with what happened. Why do I say that?

Well, consider the role of a starting pitcher, with a start approximately every (5) days. Between starts these guys don't do anything and if a team happens to have a day off, well that's just gravy.

Now, Dempster was suspended for exactly (5) days by MLB, and when given the opportunity,  to appeal his suspension, he chose not to, thereby not extending the time which the suspension would be served. Oh did I mention that the Sox have a day off coming up next week?

So think about it, MLB suspended Dempster only for the exact amount of time he would have had to sit anyway, resting for his next start. Pretty strange coincidence huh?

Further, the "undisclosed amount" he was fined was reported to be $2500. Further indication that MLB was "ok" with the incident as such a fine is hardly punitive for a player making $13.25M this year ... oh yeah ... and he still gets paid during this time. That part is of course typical for on field incidents. Even Giardi was fined more at $5000 for "doing the right thing" yet here too I agree that while traditional, it was practically the wrong way.

So while both teams showed great apathy to the beaning (except for Girardi, who needed to respond the way he did), MLB has followed suit and I would opine, through their action, essentially said "nothing to see here" by appeasing the yahoos like me who genuinely believe that Dempster was wrong in playing the enforcer (yet traditionally right as JAFO noted) by a suspension and fine, and also appeased whoever is left supporting A-Rod as he prepares to face his arbitration hearing.

One guy who may feel a bit funny is O'Nora, who saw MLB go over his head to "do the right thing" (albeit meaninglessly punitive).

Something tells me he is ok with it too.