[EU] Champions League 2008/2009 (16 Viewers)

[Holdon]

I apologise; I was unnecessarily dismissive. I'd just been reading the Mayor of Rome's pretty poor contribution to the debate* and kind of swept you up in the same sentiment.

* If you didn't read that post - he used a piss poor comparison of the number of results for two google searchs to imply that London was a more dangerous place, when even a casual examination of the figures implies the opposite, and the Mayor of Rome should have the actual crime stats, methinks. I really, really hate elected officials displaying ignorance of statistics or using bad stats to fudge an issue.

No problem.

I would expect the mayors of most cities to pretty much say the same thing in its defence to be fair.

 

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[Bjerknes]

So the avatar is a racist statement?

Answer.

I've had it up there for about a month now, and not one moderator has asked me to remove it.

So grow up and move on.

And no, it's not.

 

[bianconero]

I've had it up there for about a month now, and not one moderator has asked me to remove it.

So grow up and move on.

And no, it's not.

Shame on them then.

I wonder if I do the same with a Palestinian, Italian, Ghanaian, USA flag, if the reaction will be the same.

Of course I am not the resident lap-dog in with the in crowd.

 

[Bjerknes]

You can put a USA flag up there. I don't really care.

But obviously people know my avatar is football related.

 

[bianconero]

You can put a USA flag up there. I don't really care.

But obviously people know my avatar is football related.

It's the words beside them that give the game away.

Night, poo poo features.

 

[mikhail]

Ahh yes, a genuine security concern. You know, I wonder if the same proposition would be made if an Italian team would still be in the competition. The answer is probably not.

I think it would. Does it matter?

But fine, change the location of the final after Rome has been preparing for it. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt the economy entirely too much, but it still might be a blow to some bottom lines around Stadio Olimpico.

Weighing the financial health of some hotels and bars around Rome against the safety of the fans is a bit too cynnical for me.

And yes, we know. It's never, ever the fault of the English.

Yes, it's all the bad English folks' fault. They're just sooooo stabable. So, why is it English people getting stabbed in Rome, but not Italians in England? Or Italians in Rome? Or English fans in England? Or English fans in anywhere but Rome? Those two Leeds fans in Turkey are the only exception I can recall; call it media bias if you like. Show me another city where the better part of twenty English fans have been stabbed in half a dozen incidents over the past few years and I'll even believe you.

It must be said though that the English media isn't too fond of Italians, or practically anybody other than themselves.

That's a sweeping statement if I ever saw one. We're talking about The Times here, not the Sun or the Daily HateMail.

As I said, the match was set for Rome. Too bad. If English fans and media are scared, then just don't go.

Actually, a total boycott of the game by any and all English fans would be hilarious, particularly in the case of an all-English final. Wouldn't happen though.

Honestly, I don't really see what the point is here. English supporters would go to much more dangerous places to follow their teams. The only place this leads to is advocating banning all matches from cities such as Rome, Belgrade, Zagreb, along with others across the globe.

Or just not holding major finals in dangerous places. They're actually supposed to consider that when selecting them. Italy has a major football hooligan problem, worse than most of the rest of Europe (and frankly, the rest of Europe has a hooligan problem - football seems to attract violent morons), and sweeping it under the rug just because they've some big stadia, pretty cities and good political clout isn't the answer.

 

[Alen]

I don't know if it was posted already, but it looks like the English teams are ok with Rome

“I don’t understand why some newspapers are criticising the choice. We have already played at the Olimpico and would be very happy to return there,” said Chelsea secretary general David Barnard.

“Rome is a beautiful city and there will not be any problems,” assured Liverpool chief Rick Parry.

“In the past there were some problems, but the situation has clearly improved and I am certain it will all proceed perfectly,” added Manchester United representative Ken Ramsden.

“UEFA and the organising committee have our utmost confidence,” concluded Arsenal director Ivan Gazidis.

Channel4

 

[mikhail]

Shame on them then.

I wonder if I do the same with a Palestinian, Italian, Ghanaian, USA flag, if the reaction will be the same.

Of course I am not the resident lap-dog in with the in crowd.

No one's complained. And frankly, there's a line to be drawn between negative sentiment towards somewhere and racism, particularly on a football forum. If it was a Palestinian flag, the political connotations would dominate and I'd ban him like a spammer.

If you'd like to make a case for us removing it, PM it to me and I'll bring it up in the mod forum.

 

[mikhail]

I don't know if it was posted already, but it looks like the English teams are ok with Rome

“I don’t understand why some newspapers are criticising the choice. We have already played at the Olimpico and would be very happy to return there,” said Chelsea secretary general David Barnard.

“Rome is a beautiful city and there will not be any problems,” assured Liverpool chief Rick Parry.

“In the past there were some problems, but the situation has clearly improved and I am certain it will all proceed perfectly,” added Manchester United representative Ken Ramsden.

“UEFA and the organising committee have our utmost confidence,” concluded Arsenal director Ivan Gazidis.

Channel4

Interesting; there seems to be a disconnect between the executives and the fans. I'm surprised they're not aggitating here, but I guess they've nothing to gain and political face to lose.

 

[bianconero]

No one's complained. And frankly, there's a line to be drawn between negative sentiment towards somewhere and racism, particularly on a football forum. If it was a Palestinian flag, the political connotations would dominate and I'd ban him like a spammer.

If you'd like to make a case for us removing it, PM it to me and I'll bring it up in the mod forum.

No, but I do feel the language used is at times unnecessary, and borderline (if not downright) racist. Not to mention, personally abusive.

Thank you for the offer though.

 

[Seven]

I have to say that I'm a bit annoyed with the way Andy keeps on insulting England and English football. Sure, I get that he doesn't like England and I understand that he, being an American, has to endure the EPL way too often, but sometimes it's a bit much. It is borderline racism and bianconero does have a point. Still, if he could just alter his tone a little bit, that would suffice.

 

[mikhail]

No, but I do feel the language used is at times unnecessary, and borderline (if not downright) racist. Not to mention, personally abusive.

I agree. Some of it has been excessive, I've felt.

I can only ask you to report any posts you see which you feel cross the line. The mods aren't completely consistent - that's genuinely hard - but they are effective at capping things that are getting out of hand.

Thank you for the offer though.

No need; it's my job here.

 

[Seven]

I agree. Some of it has been excessive, I've felt.

I can only ask you to report any posts you see which you feel cross the line. The mods aren't completely consistent - that's genuinely hard - but they are effective at capping things that are getting out of hand.


No need; it's my job here.

So you guys actually read that?

I've used that button so much

 

[JCK]

I have to say that I'm a bit annoyed with the way Andy keeps on insulting England and English football. Sure, I get that he doesn't like England and I understand that he, being an American, has to endure the EPL way too often, but sometimes it's a bit much. It is borderline racism and bianconero does have a point. Still, if he could just alter his tone a little bit, that would suffice.

Who hacked your account?

 

[JCK]

So you guys actually read that?

I've used that button so much

Yes this function sucks, I wish we deactivate it. Not all moderators have it either, don't ask why.

 

[bianconero]

So you guys actually read that?

I've used that button so much

I just used it: against you!

 

[bianconero]

I agree. Some of it has been excessive, I've felt.

I can only ask you to report any posts you see which you feel cross the line. The mods aren't completely consistent - that's genuinely hard - but they are effective at capping things that are getting out of hand.


No need; it's my job here.

Thank you again for being, so to speak, on the ball.
I am not a tale tell, however, and can easily handle the foulmouthed bravado of his ilk.

Sorry to those who find that Old English.

 

[mikhail]

So you guys actually read that?

I've used that button so much

I actually get an email every time someone does. The reporter's name goes on it though, so abuse it at your peril.

 

[Azzurri7]

Thank you again for being, so to speak, on the ball.
I am not a tale tell, however, and can easily handle the foulmouthed bravado of his ilk.

Sorry to those who find that Old English.

This post in particular wasn't old English. But most of your other posts are Shakespeare stuff.

 

[bianconero]

This post in particular wasn't old English. But most of your other posts are Shakespeare stuff.

Oh, I must admit that at times I am, how should we say, a little verbose, perhaps a little too lyrical, but you see I love the English language, and for me it is a play-thing, a fool upon the stage, staggering here and there, with but one myriad end:Mirth, enlightenment, and the joy of communication.