The Footie Thread

[Lucifer MorningStar]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2034022451055620438

We all know AFCON is a farce of a tournament with how it’s played out over the years and some of the shall we say bizarre results. But this takes the absolute urine! If Morocco now celebrate this victory and claim it as a title win that says more about the state of AFCON than the mess it already is.

 

[Pin-seeker]

We all know AFCON is a farce of a tournament with how it’s played out over the years and some of the shall we say bizarre results. But this takes the absolute urine! If Morocco now celebrate this victory and claim it as a title win that says more about the state of AFCON than the mess it already is.

Agreed,absolutely embarrassing.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

That’s quite a satisfying offside after that celebration

 

[PaulMdj]

We all know AFCON is a farce of a tournament with how it’s played out over the years and some of the shall we say bizarre results. But this takes the absolute urine! If Morocco now celebrate this victory and claim it as a title win that says more about the state of AFCON than the mess it already is.

Also, can you see the Senegal players returning their winners medals and saying thanks for the runners-up one!

Completely embarrassing.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Also, can you see the Senegal players returning their winners medals and saying thanks for the runners-up one!

Completely embarrassing.

Do they have to do a direct swap with Morocco like exchanging shirts after the match

It’s an absolute farce.

 

[PaulMdj]

Do they have to do a direct swap with Morocco like exchanging shirts after the match

It’s an absolute farce.

Will the really keen ones who’ve had it framed etc be eligible for a refund?

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Will the really keen ones who’ve had it framed etc be eligible for a refund?

Should rock up at the next AFCON wearing winners trackies with their medals on and
Hand them to the Ref before kick off and then just walk off the pitch and refuse to play.

 

[4LEX]

AFCON has always been the dregs of international football.

Corruption, shocking pitches, empty stadiums, dodgy refs and some of the most negative football ever seen. Literally nothing positive to it at all.

Time for it to be removed from the FIFA calender and totally ignored.

 

[nickjdavis]

the only thing that could top the AFCON decision is for FIFA to declare the USA as honorary winners of this years World Cup.

 

[Billysboots]

AFCON has always been the dregs of international football.

Corruption, shocking pitches, empty stadiums, dodgy refs and some of the most negative football ever seen. Literally nothing positive to it at all.

Time for it to be removed from the FIFA calender and totally ignored.

Absolutely spot on. Overturning any result is ludicrous, but to do it in relation to a tournament final result is beyond laughable. And the most ridiculous aspect of all is that players from top leagues across Europe miss up to a month of their domestic season to partake in this tin pot event.

 

[PaulMdj]

I agree the decision is ludicrous, but for the players taking part and winning it, it is massive to them and their Country.

I’ve seen quite a few interviews were the players over the years have stated they want to win the thing and are proud to represent their Countries.

Bit unfair for us to try and dictate what tournaments they should and should not be allowed to hold or enter.

 

[4LEX]

I agree the decision is ludicrous, but for the players taking part and winning it, it is massive to them and their Country.

I’ve seen quite a few interviews were the players over the years have stated they want to win the thing and are proud to represent their Countries.

Bit unfair for us to try and dictate what tournaments they should and should not be allowed to hold or enter.

But what about those players and fans that have already celebrated winning it? It's been snatched away for no reason. Then given to a country that didn't win it or deserve it. It's got zero credibility.

Until it's corruption free it should be banned. Any European players that go should have their wages frozen for half of any season they play in it.

There's also no need for it to be every 2 years, which is double any other international tournament. That causes a lot of the drama.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Vini as got to be one of the most hated players

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

But what about those players and fans that have already celebrated winning it? It's been snatched away for no reason. Then given to a country that didn't win it or deserve it. It's got zero credibility.

Until it's corruption free it should be banned. Any European players that go should have their wages frozen for half of any season they play in it.

There's also no need for it to be every 2 years, which is double any other international tournament. That causes a lot of the drama.

Yes the credibility has absolutely gone, the players have been made to look fools as they’re being stripped of medals and accomplishments, Morocco are made a laughing stock as they’ve won a tournament by losing it and a governing body awarding them it. It’s all a farce and made a mockery of the already corrupt tournament.

BUT!! No player should have their wages stopped for going and representing their country especially half a seasons wages fo what a month long event , that’s a ridiculous suggestion!

Also who are we English or European football to decide that 2 years is excessive. It’s Africa’s tournament, they’re extremely proud to represent their nation and continent. Anytime a fans of British/European football try to comment or say we should dictate on how often a different continents biggest event should be played is just as ludicrous. The AFCON was there before the premier league and they should be able to continue to host it Bi-annually English clubs know it a happening and if they don’t want it to impact their seasons they have choice whether to sign those players or not, they don’t get to have a say in if it should be allowed to continue.

The biggest issue here is world governing bodies need to step in and aid the organisation of the event to reduce corruption and increase credibility not shut it down or dictate how often its played.

 

[Slab]

Assuming nothing was off the table, I wonder what were the options for afcon to take?

1. Result stands no punishment for Senegal & ignoring the tournament rule re players leaving the pitch
2. Result stands with alternative punishment for Senegal by changing the tournament rule after the fact
3. Award tie to Morrocco (stupidly the rule doesn’t exempt the final from any other round of the tournament)
4. Replay the tie (however impractical) also ignoring the rule as its written

All in all a total mess (but it wouldn't surprise me if something occurs at the WC to usurp it)


edit: 96k posts in this topic and thats my first

 

[Swango1980]

Yes the credibility has absolutely gone, the players have been made to look fools as they’re being stripped of medals and accomplishments, Morocco are made a laughing stock as they’ve won a tournament by losing it and a governing body awarding them it. It’s all a farce and made a mockery of the already corrupt tournament.

BUT!! No player should have their wages stopped for going and representing their country especially half a seasons wages fo what a month long event , that’s a ridiculous suggestion!

Also who are we English or European football to decide that 2 years is excessive. It’s Africa’s tournament, they’re extremely proud to represent their nation and continent. Anytime a fans of British/European football try to comment or say we should dictate on how often a different continents biggest event should be played is just as ludicrous. The AFCON was there before the premier league and they should be able to continue to host it Bi-annually English clubs know it a happening and if they don’t want it to impact their seasons they have choice whether to sign those players or not, they don’t get to have a say in if it should be allowed to continue.

The biggest issue here is world governing bodies need to step in and aid the organisation of the event to reduce corruption and increase credibility not shut it down or dictate how often its played.

I agree.

I think AFCON is a inconvenient tournament during a terrible part of year. And the stripping of the title in mid March is incredible. I'd have thought they should only do that if there was a specific rule saying a team forfeits a match if they leave the pitch. And that happens immediately.

But I am British. Who am I to dictate what tournaments are played in other continents. Clearly plenty of African players and fans loved the tournament. I'd feel a sense of shame if I had to make the decision to ban AFCON or give wage cuts to players going to represent their homeland. I'd feel I'm coming across as incredibly arrogant and entitled, and probably have the lowest reputation of any FIFA president, which is saying something.

As I understand it, it will only be held every 4 years from 2028, which is good. Although by then there will probably me multiple new events FIFA try to cram into the diary

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Looking at the rules the ultimate decision is correct. The issue is, it should have happened at the time, not two months later. The trophy was awarded, medals given, parades happened.

It's utterly hollow for Morocco now, a paper exercise.

As for the rest, AFCON can do what they like. Who the heck are we, European's, to say when and how they have their tournament.

 

[Tashyboy]

As has been said the tournament is hardly a shining example of the beautiful game. The problems arose because Senegal had a goal disallowed and then Morocco awarded a penalty. At that point the Senegal manager chucked his teddy out of the pram and took his players off the pitch in protest. It should be Noted that Mane stayed on the pitch and urged his players to return and deserves massive respect.
For me the result should have stood, but a massive ban should have been given to the Senegal manager. Furthermore, FIFA should by now have implimented a new rule “ saying if you walk off a pitch, you forfeit the game”. Unless for Racial abuse etc. This walking off the pitch was solely to do with a referees and officials decision, it was not respected. How many referees decisions are ?
If this happened in a World Cup finals game there would be pandemonium.

Edit, just reading later posts, is there already a ruling saying Senegal could have been stripped of the title.

 

[Orikoru]

Absolutely spot on. Overturning any result is ludicrous, but to do it in relation to a tournament final result is beyond laughable. And the most ridiculous aspect of all is that players from top leagues across Europe miss up to a month of their domestic season to partake in this tin pot event.

Agreed. Any last shred of credibility the Afcon may have had is now in the bin. Clubs need to start denying their players permission to swan off to it in the middle of the season in my opinion. They pay their wages and they'd be within their rights to do that I'm sure.

 

[Slab]

Looking at the rules the ultimate decision is correct. The issue is, it should have happened at the time, not two months later. The trophy was awarded, medals given, parades happened.

It's utterly hollow for Morocco now, a paper exercise.

As for the rest, AFCON can do what they like. Who the heck are we, European's, to say when and how they have their tournament.

yup on the night appears to be the correct time to apply the rule (probably didn't due to fears over fan/player behaviour) but applying it retrospectively seems crazy
Once officials fail to apply as written (basically they made a mistake) it would seem that the (incorrect) decision, and therefore result, should stand.
With any subsequent 'blame' laying with tournament and match officials and an apology to Morocco