Brazilians turn on Pele

[scotty]

This is an odd one....

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/the-rio-report/legend-pele-branded-traitor-century-brazil-152432349.html

 

 

Fair enough for them to have a go at Blatter, but Pele?

[Saint_clark]

They're spot on. Pele has sold out, Brazil should not be spending the amount of money it is on the World Cup when the standard of living is so poor. Yet he's backing it because he's being paid by FIFA as a figure head.

Even so I don't think that's the problem - it's the fact he's come out and asked for the protests to stop, no doubt after being told to by his bosses.

 

On a much smaller scale that we can relate to, it's kind of like Le Tissier coming out and asking for the protests against Lowe to stop whilst being given free boxes etc.

[alpine_saint]

Expect the most stitched up fixed WC finals in the history of the regulated game...........

 

I will say here, and now: Brazil will win the final against Argentina.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Obviously a marvelous player, but he is a bit of a tool.

[stevegrant]

Expect the most stitched up fixed WC finals in the history of the regulated game...........

 

I will say here, and now: Brazil will win the final against Argentina.

Why would they need to rig it so two of the best teams in the world (one of them with home advantage) meet each other in the final?

 

The path through the knockout stage isn't exactly straightforward for Brazil: assuming they win their group, they'll probably have Holland or Chile in the second round, followed by Colombia, Uruguay or England in the quarter-final, and then France or Germany in the semi-final.

 

Argentina's path is easier to begin with, but still very tough... assuming a group win: Switzerland or Ecuador, then Belgium or Portugal, then Spain or Italy.

 

Any team who gets to the final will have deserved it, difficult to see any of the top teams failing to get out of the group stage.

[Bearsy]

Brazilians turn on bears also

 

[Window Cleaner]

 

The path through the knockout stage isn't exactly straightforward for Brazil: assuming they win their group, they'll probably have Holland or Chile in the second round, followed by Colombia, Uruguay or England in the quarter-final, and then France or Germany in the semi-final.

 

 

 

Holland were absolutely woeful when they played the French a couple of weeks back, just totally clueless in defence and

lackadaisical in attack. Might not have been their usual side for all I know but some of the players that they used wouldn't get a game in the PL. No doubt the return of Robben might buck them up a bit but their defence was just so bad that they'll need to score 6 or 7 to hope to win any WC games.

[scotty]

Holland were absolutely woeful when they played the French a couple of weeks back, just totally clueless in defence and

lackadaisical in attack. Might not have been their usual side for all I know but some of the players that they used wouldn't get a game in the PL. No doubt the return of Robben might buck them up a bit but their defence was just so bad that they'll need to score 6 or 7 to hope to win any WC games.

 

I'd like to think that Holland won't get anywhere near the final after their appalling display in the last one.

[alpine_saint]

Why would they need to rig it so two of the best teams in the world (one of them with home advantage) meet each other in the final?

 

The path through the knockout stage isn't exactly straightforward for Brazil: assuming they win their group, they'll probably have Holland or Chile in the second round, followed by Colombia, Uruguay or England in the quarter-final, and then France or Germany in the semi-final.

 

Argentina's path is easier to begin with, but still very tough... assuming a group win: Switzerland or Ecuador, then Belgium or Portugal, then Spain or Italy.

 

Any team who gets to the final will have deserved it, difficult to see any of the top teams failing to get out of the group stage.

 

FIFA are facing an utter PR disaster; this is the only way they will regain face. The whole award to Russian and Qatar was bent, and fixing the 2014 finals pales in comparison.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

FIFA are facing an utter PR disaster; this is the only way they will regain face. The whole award to Russian and Qatar was bent, and fixing the 2014 finals pales in comparison.

 

You really do have some twisted logic alps.

 

"Sh*t, we are facing a PR disaster, everyone thinks we are corrupt 'coz we gave Russia & Qatar WC's 'coz they gave us loads of their oil money. How can we make this better?"

 

"How about we have lots of the lovely Brazilian people, be very beautiful and dance around during all the games?"

 

"It's good, but I don't think it will quite do the job"

 

"Errrrm, why don't we rig the WC this year, so that Brazil, hosts & one of the favourites to win, beat Argentina in the final? That will make us look less corrupt for sure"

[alpine_saint]

You really do have some twisted logic alps.

 

"Sh*t, we are facing a PR disaster, everyone thinks we are corrupt 'coz we gave Russia & Qatar WC's 'coz they gave us loads of their oil money. How can we make this better?"

 

"How about we have lots of the lovely Brazilian people, be very beautiful and dance around during all the games?"

 

"It's good, but I don't think it will quite do the job"

 

"Errrrm, why don't we rig the WC this year, so that Brazil, hosts & one of the favourites to win, beat Argentina in the final? That will make us look less corrupt for sure"

 

Yep, got it completely wrong again.

 

The PR disaster is the civil unrest in Brazil; that would be quelled by Brazil beating the Argies in the final.

 

My reference to Thugland and Qatar getting 2018 and 2022 respectively was simply to serve as further examples.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Yep, got it completely wrong again.

 

The PR disaster is the civil unrest in Brazil; that would be quelled by Brazil beating the Argies in the final.

 

My reference to Thugland and Qatar getting 2018 and 2022 respectively was simply to serve as further examples.

 

Cept the civil unrest is because of the govts decision to apply for the WC and Olympics. In the process spending billions on that, when a lot of people feel it would be better spent elsewhere.

 

Not a problem for FIFA, or the IOC. A major problem for the Brazilian government.

 

Why on earth would FIFA fix a World Cup to help out the Brazilian govt?

 

Also, did you see Brazil tear apart Spain, the a team that has dominated International football for the past 6 years, in the Confed Cup final last year? Was that FIFA placating the people too? Did Spain decide to not show up just to be nice?

 

Yep, it's me that's got it wrong.

[1576]

I was in Rio last week and watched a game at the Maracana. Have to say I think any european team winning would be a hell of an effort. In the stadium the heat was ridiculous. You can certainly see why the game is played at a slower pace including water breaks during each half and they're used to it.