Football 2023 - 2024

[Nearly Sane]

Not sure if it's quite the same thing because games have always been postponed due to waterlogging, but I think rules concerning the state of the pitch go too far. A pitch should live with the seasons.

It's because the owners haven't been willing to spend the money on it. Tannadice, Dundee Utd's ground, which is almost next door hasn't had the problems.

[jeremyp]

I'm with Motherwell here. The Dens Park issue has been going on all season. It's a farce that this is happening in the Scottish Premiership.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68734390

What is "the split"?

[jeremyp]

Not sure if it's quite the same thing because games have always been postponed due to waterlogging, but I think rules concerning the state of the pitch go too far. A pitch should live with the seasons.

A waterlogged pitch can be dangerous. If there is a significant risk of injury, you can't play the match.

[Nearly Sane]

What is "the split"?

For the last five games of the season, the league splits into top six and bottom six, and they play 5 games against the teams in whichever part of the split they are in. As there are 12 teams in the league, it means they all play each other 3 times, and then another 5 games, so total of 38 games. When there were 10 teams, they played each other 4 times which meant 36 games, which is what happens in the 3 lower leagues. Obviously were they to do that in a 12 team league it's 44 which is too many. Not ideal but ...

[Nearly Sane]

Match going ahead


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68748080

[Nearly Sane]

Everton docked another 2 points


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68723109

[ad_orientem]

Everton docked another 2 points


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68723109

Done quickly, which is good, now let's get to City. Granted, the number of alleged breaches is many times more, but if they're found guilty of only 10% of the 115 charges, they must have a massive penalty awaiting, just for the sake consistency and credibility.

[Nearly Sane]

Match going ahead


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68748080

But the postponed match against Rangers is in danger of being postponed again


https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/rangers-face-anxious-dundee-wait-28957175

[jeremyp]

Done quickly, which is good,

No, not really. There's going to be an appeal but it won't happen until after the end of the season. Given Everton's position in the league, it is possible that the result of the appeal might change the relegated teams. That's not a good look.

now let's get to City. Granted, the number of alleged breaches is many times more, but if they're found guilty of only 10% of the 115 charges, they must have a massive penalty awaiting, just for the sake consistency and credibility.

The rugby premiership was not at all afraid to relegate their best team when it broke the pay cap rules. I'll be interested to see if the Premier League has the same kind of guts.

[Nearly Sane]

'Security raised for Champions League ties after threat'



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68769669

[ad_orientem]

No, not really. There's going to be an appeal but it won't happen until after the end of the season. Given Everton's position in the league, it is possible that the result of the appeal might change the relegated teams. That's not a good look.

Yeah, you're right. Just read an article on this.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68764608

[ad_orientem]

The rugby premiership was not at all afraid to relegate their best team when it broke the pay cap rules. I'll be interested to see if the Premier League has the same kind of guts.

Rugby is usually better at these things though, probably because less money is involved.

[Nearly Sane]

Rugby is usually better at these things though, probably because less money is involved.

Though rugby clubs' financials are a mess.

[Nearly Sane]

Was looking at the process of qualifying for the Women's Euros after tonight's matches. A little convoluted.
....


https://www.uefa.com/womenseuropeanqualifiers/draws/

[jeremyp]

Was looking at the process of qualifying for the Women's Euros after tonight's matches. A little convoluted.
....


https://www.uefa.com/womenseuropeanqualifiers/draws/

Couldn't agree more. I wonder what the reasoning was.

[Nearly Sane]

Couldn't agree more. I wonder what the reasoning was.

I suppose it means that a lot of matches will continue to have some meaning, and is an attempt to deal with the lack of maturity of some teams by providing competitive fixtures. That Switzerland are playing though qualified is also presumably related to that.

It does make working out what you need to do what the province of the spreadsheet.

[Nearly Sane]

Wrexham - the story continues

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68776585

[Nearly Sane]

But the postponed match against Rangers is in danger of being postponed again


https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/rangers-face-anxious-dundee-wait-28957175

And match is indeed postponed again


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68695355

[Nearly Sane]

Sheffield Utd will have 2 points deducted if they are relegated for next season.

[jeremyp]

Sheffield Utd will have 2 points deducted if they are relegated for next season.

When they are relegated.

[Nearly Sane]

All the postponements of the Dundee - Rangers game now work in favour of Rangers as Dundee have made the split and have less reason to strain for points on Wednesday,


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68747460

[Nearly Sane]

Wrexham - the story continues

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68776585

Promotion gained

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68795289

[Nearly Sane]

Don't imagine this was the week Liverpool thought they would suffer 2 home defeats.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68754388

[jeremyp]

Don't imagine this was the week Liverpool thought they would suffer 2 home defeats.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68754388

I would rejoice, but Arsenal lost a match they should have won too.

[Nearly Sane]

One must have a heart of stone to read the tale of Harry  Kane without laughing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68812568