The Ringer – Anthony Dabbundo – Is This France’s World Cup to Lose?
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16-18
More than 170 red cards have been shown in the tournament in the intervening 64 years, and no FIFA committees have done anything to mitigate any of them. Add to that Infantino’s years of servile groveling to Trump, and the inescapable implication was that Trump had gotten Balogun out of his ban in the same way the mayor might get the mayor’s brother out of a parking ticket. Which, it should go without saying, is a miserable look, and a transparently crooked way to run the world’s biggest sporting event.
The Ringer – Brian Phillips – The Worst Ending to the Best U.S. Men’s World Cup Ever
I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating.
Sophocles
Front Office Sports – Margaret Fleming – U.S. Gets Reality Check With World Cup Knockout by Belgium
Cheating is not the American way. It is small, while we are large. It is cheap, while we are richly endowed. It is destructive, while we are creative. It is doomed to fail, while our gifts and responsibilities call us to achieve. It sabotages trust and weakens the bonds of spirit and humanity, without which we perish.
Terrence McNally
The Guardian – Alexander Abdos – Ragged USA crash out of World Cup with last-16 defeat to Belgium
Phil has a question:
Did the gods of football fairness just piss all over that cheating FC Donald Trump.
Did you know that FC does not always stand for Club de Football.
Does the FC Donald Trump know where Belgium is.
Will the Prime Minister of Belgium send a case of Brussels Sprouts to the White House.
Would Clarence Campbell ever bow to pressure and overturn a suspension.
Would the Rocket ever ask a Canadian Prime Minister to intervene on his behalf.
Phil M. Stockmen