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World Cup 2014 Thread
Comments
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In light of yet more alleged FIFA corruption (shock horror), I thought this was an interesting read on Italy's exit to South Korea at the 2002 World Cup. Probably one of the biggest footballing controversies of modern times. Anyone who didn't see that game, get yourself onto YouTube. Unbelievable.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/01/world-cup-25-stunning-moments-italy-south-korea1 -
Think Uruguay are being overhyped to be honest.
They finished 5th in South American qualifying and that obviously didnt even contain Brazil.
If we can avoid defeat against Italy confident we can get through.
However if we lose, you have think Uruguay would have beaten Costa Rica so they would be happy for a draw against us.2 -
WHEN England’s finest kiss the three lions on their shirts in Brazil next month and declare that representing their country on the world stage is the highest of honours, the unrestrained patriotism won’t stretch to their tax payments.
The greatest reward for a player at the World Cup is the boost to his footballing image, which opens the door to the most tax-efficient deals with his club. Rather than receiving just salary and bonuses with the usual tiresome PAYE tax and national insurance deductions, the player can take a chunk of his money gross as a payment to exploit his image rights. The higher the profile, the more he – or rather his personal service company – can get without upsetting the taxman.
This and other commercial work explain such companies as Frank Lampard Ltd, sitting on assets of around £2.5m, and Steven Gerrard Promotions Ltd, with more than £4m. Wayne Rooney’s image rights company, Stoneygate 48 Ltd, trumps Lamps’ and Stevie’s with £6m, including £3m cash.
These firms’ income is taxed at corporation tax rates of not much more than half the top income tax rate, which is then paid only when the money is extracted, usually as dividends without national insurance due. Most of the younger stars, even the teenagers, have also already been ushered towards image rights companies.
Rooney and Gerrard have also signed up for a number of the film partnership schemes that HM Revenue & Customs is disputing, although none of theirs has yet been overturned in the courts in the way Gary Barlow’s was.
It’s not just the players holding a few quid back from the taxman. Kit supplier Nike has its own neat swerve around British tax payments. Its UK company doesn’t actually sell its shirts, boots, trainers, etc over here. That is all done from the Netherlands by Nike European Operations Netherlands BV, with the UK firm merely acting as its agent for a small commission. Last year it paid tax totalling £46,000 – about half what an international player earns in a week.
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This Immobile chap for Italy is making waves
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Signed for Dortmund hasn't he?0
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27672115
The Dutch are disappointed that their warm up game against Wales won't feature Bale or Ramsey, but their defence will still be stretched by
George Williams
Jermaine Easter
Hal Robson-Kanu
and of course...
Simon Church5 -
Rumours spreading Frank Ribery has been ruled out even though being included in France's 23 man squad.0
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I really like the way Hodgson deals with the English psyche and press as well. He is a very astute and good manager and the best we've had in a long time. Look at this as an example:
There always seems to be an enormous obsession with one player,” said Hodgson when asked if Barkley would be ready to start against Italy on 14 June. “I will be prepared to start any of my players in any game but I’m not prepared to address your obsession with Ross Barkley.
“He had some good moments but he lost the ball an awful lot of times as well. If he’s going to be the player we want him to be, he has to make better decisions as to when he turns with the ball. I think he needs to learn when he can turn with the ball and when he has to keep the ball. But that’s quite normal for a player his age. That’s not a criticism but there were other performances out there who merited your obsession more than Ross Barkley’s. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Phil Jones were outstanding, Jack Wilshere in the middle of the park, Rickie Lambert scored a magnificent goal.”
Brilliant response and he's spot on about our obsession (we're guilty as fans as well). I hope we keep Hodgson regardless of what happens. He has been the first manager in a long long time that has been prepared to give young players a chance and not afraid to drop anyone. We've got a hell of a tough group and it won't be his fault if we don't make it out of there.
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Pick your all time World Cup XI http://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2014/jun/03/-sp-world-cup-dream-team-pick-your-all-time-xi#home0
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Sponsored links:
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Pick your all time world Cup XI http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-276993980
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based on FIFA rankings, we are in the toughest group:
Uruguay 7
Italy 9
England 10
Costa Rica 28
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/277125660 -
I think we play better in a tough group.
In 2002 we had Argentina, a fairly strong Sweden and Nigeria who were considered strongest African team.0 -
Ox ruled out for 10-21 days.
big loss.0 -
World Cup groups (world rankings in brackets)
Group A - Brazil (3), Cameroon (56), Croatia (18), Mexico (20). Total 97.
Group B - Australia (62), Chile (14), Netherlands (15), Spain (1). Total 92.
Group C - Colombia (8), Greece (12), Ivory Coast (23), Japan (46). Total 89.
Group D - Costa Rica (28), England (10), Italy (9), Uruguay (7). Total 54.
Group E - Ecuador (26), France (17), Honduras (33), Switzerland (6). Total 82.
Group F - Argentina (5), Bosnia-Herzegovina (21), Iran (43), Nigeria (44). Total 113.
Group G - Germany (2), Ghana (37), Portugal (4), USA (13). Total 56.
Group H - Algeria (22), Belgium (11), Russia (19), South Korea (57). Total 109.0 -
Can't help feeling that 7. Wilshere is going to have a belter of a world cup, a la Gazza in Italy '90.
Probably won't even make it on to the pitch, now I've said that.0 -
I think Barkley is the one who will stand out for England. He is true class.0
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For the first time since i was a kid, im really looking forward to watching England at the WC, think we could actually have a real go and upset the odds...................
which now means we will fail to win any of our group games ;-)0 -
Reus has now just limped off for Germany in their friendly. Looks in a very bad way.
Russian captain Roman Shirokov also injured and has been ruled out of the World Cup0 -
Sponsored links:
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Any recommendations for a good app for the tournament yet?0
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https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=footballapps.worldcup
This is pretty decent, got the groups, news and videos0 -
Brasil 1 Serbia 0
Maicon might be out of the world cup.
Great route 1 goal by Fred but to be honest Serbia were by far the better team and very unlucky.0 -
Rest of tonight's WC warm-up games:
Colombia v Jordan 00:00
Croatia v Australia 00:00
Japan v Zambia 00:30
Costa Rica v R. of Ireland 01:00
Greece v Bolivia 01:00
Mexico v Portugal 01:30
And while I'm at it, tomorrow night's WC warm-up games:
Argentina v Slovenia 19:45
Belgium v Tunisia 19:45
El Salvador v Spain 21:00
England v Honduras 21:45
USA v Nigeria 23:000 -
Anybody else watching this film on the '70 World Cup (BBC2 on now)?
Jeez I had forgotten what a player Gerd Muller was! His finishing is amazing and no wonder he top scored with 10 goals that year.2 -
Just watching it too. Amazing football and players.0
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Marco Reus ruled out of the tournament through injury.
That's an absolutely massive blow to Germany.0 -
And to my dream team!CafcSteve said:Marco Reus ruled out of the tournament through injury.
That's an absolutely massive blow to Germany.0 -
Reus, Ribery, Ronaldo, Falcao, Suarez, Costa - all out or struggling.
Shame in a way but is opening the tournament up a bit.
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Is that right? The Sixth Best Country in the World at football is Switzerland???? While Italy is 9th and France 17th???Absurdistan said:World Cup groups (world rankings in brackets)
Group A - Brazil (3), Cameroon (56), Croatia (18), Mexico (20). Total 97.
Group B - Australia (62), Chile (14), Netherlands (15), Spain (1). Total 92.
Group C - Colombia (8), Greece (12), Ivory Coast (23), Japan (46). Total 89.
Group D - Costa Rica (28), England (10), Italy (9), Uruguay (7). Total 54.
Group E - Ecuador (26), France (17), Honduras (33), Switzerland (6). Total 82.
Group F - Argentina (5), Bosnia-Herzegovina (21), Iran (43), Nigeria (44). Total 113.
Group G - Germany (2), Ghana (37), Portugal (4), USA (13). Total 56.
Group H - Algeria (22), Belgium (11), Russia (19), South Korea (57). Total 109.
WTF????
I understand that Switzerland is the home of FIFA but this is taking things too far
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