Messi and Ronaldo are tied in to a myriad of brands. These brands will get top exposure if their 'faces' are at the world cup.
Nobody has refuted the corporate statement, so I take it we agree on that point.

Messi and Ronaldo would lose a bit of extra money. That appears to be the only 'financial loss'.

Some neutrals would prefer Messi and Ronaldo to be there. I would much rather watch Argentina, than say a a functional Paraguayan team. However, there will still be plenty of stars at the World Cup even if Portugal and Argentina didn't qualify. You would still have the likes of Kaka, Robinho, Gerarrd, Lampard etc.. Still plenty of exposure for Adidas and Nike.

[url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/10/08/manual_090631.htmlPhil Brown is pathetic.[/url

[url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/10/08/SOCCER_Man_Utd.htmlFormer Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards has expressed concern about the debt accrued by the club under the Glazer family.[/url

These are all produced by the same City supporter. However, it appears that some United fans have 'grassed' on him to the woners of the photos he has doctored, so they are threatening him with legal action over copyright. Who said United don't have a sense of humour?

The first one is very good


Hope he's got a better lawyer than photoshop programme.

[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/gallery/2009/oct/01/manchester-united-space-time-cont?picture=353581304Manchester United's space-time continuum.[/url

Search Hitler finds out that Burnley beat Chelsea on you know where.
From last season, but still great viewing.

I agree that its/they're not worth complaining about...very very petty.

However, I would challenge the fact of the people involved not having a sense of humour based on the fact that they aren't particularly funny

[url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2672857/Owen-Coyle-PLAYS-for-Burnley.htmlOwen Coyle - You have to admire the guy[/url

Them p!sses are surely inaccurate. There's no way Shay Given is outp!ssing Adebayor. No way

I'm no biologist or physicist, but won't there be a larger drop in pressure for Adebayor given the urine has further to travel?

Err...I was talking about Adebayors love of p!ssing contests, what, erm are you talking about?

Great turn and finish. Has he got the balls to pick himself for the next Premier League game?

He played for them last season too in order to protect his first team. Scored a lovely goal too.

Fergie complaining about the fitness of a ref......grounds for a ban? or not actually that bad compared to lots of things that managers say about refs?

Piss off.



Are you and Dave still arguing about it?

Just wait for round 2 tonight

Isn't there a stat to say he ran further than all but two of Uniteds players?

What ref's do fans actually like?

I used to like Howard Webb but not too keen on him now. I'm quite a fan of Peter Walton, not the most glamours ref i know but just think he's fair and hasn't got a chip on his shoulder like most Prem refs ala Bennett, Riley, Battenburg.

I used to like Webb too but I think he's an absolute now.

In the Premiership, I like Chris Foy. Doesn't usually get anything wrong.

Quite possibly but I dont think the validity of the statement really comes into it. Either he should be allowed to say things like that in public or he shouldn't and if he shouldn't is that one comment worthy of a ban?

Personally I would take far more offence to being called a cheat or weak (allowing home crowds to sway a decision) than if someone questioned my fitness levels.

I tend to think that the longer a ref is in the top flight the more arrogant they become, with the only real exception being Durkin.

Well I thought they were standing under sprinklers. No wonder I didn't get it

[url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Stephen-Ireland-exclusive-I-will-NEVER-play-for-arrogant-Trapattoni-even-if-Ireland-make-the-2010-World-Cup-article182069.htmlI often wonder whether Stevie plays with a full deck[/url