Martin Crockett

Diving at the World Cup

Fifa, the sport’s governing body, has promised that referees will be under instructions to crack down on all aspects of gamesmanship to try to ensure that the sport’s image is not tarnished by play-acting at this summer’s World Cup.

The Fifa referees’ committee will impress on officials the importance of punishing “any simulating action anywhere on the field which is intended to deceive the referee” with a yellow card

The Times, February 14, 2006

Here are some of Portugal’s antics from the 2006 World Cup game against France.

Where were the yellow cards?

Best game of the World Cup

Last night provided us with the best game of the 2006 World Cup, the first semi-final - between Italy and Germany.

In-depth analysis provided by the BBC Sport website in what transpired to be the game of the tournament.

If football is the beautiful game the World Cup semi-final between Italy and Germany was a super-model on a catwalk.

Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion provided the perfect stage for what will go down as one of the classic World Cup encounters.

120 minutes - great game! A highlight in an otherwise dour World Cup.

Diego Maradona skills

Following on the current World Cup theme, I’ve uploaded this crazy clip: Diego Maradona warm-up clip (4Mb/ WMV file format).

If women were football teams…

Birmingham - Pamela Anderson:
Used to look good in the cups but now a declining force. Plus millions of people watched them get a good seeing to.

Wigan - Davina McCall:
Poor attendances confirm they’ve been promoted above their ability.

Portsmouth - Girls Aloud:
Only one real class act among the hastily assembled line-up. You shouldn’t like them but admit it, you’ve sneaked the occasional admiring glance.
Continue reading If women were football teams……

Sweden United

Shame they got knocked out of the World Cup.

A country with design and fashion in that is to the highest standards and if often trendsetting for the rest of the world.

Sweden United