Classic Post of an Old Favourite: "Fabio versus The FA" or "Whose Side is it Anyway?"

Robert Green was Fabio's man; he made the decision I would make. On the eve of the opening 2010 World Cup match against the reborn and improved United States, England manager Fabio Capello chose Robert Green over David James to start in goal for jolly old England that night in South Africa. I will not regale you with my earlier musings on David James and his ineptitude in big games, but Robert Green did have a reputation for stealing games, and playing against impossible odds. Fabio knew that, too, and chose Green.

England led 1-0 after an early goal from Steven Gerrard to open the contest. Then, this happened...

Embarrassment to say the least. As in the Nike commercials of soccer lore, Green wrote the future. Watching the game in my living room, I made a correct yet insensitive remark, "No matter how well he plays, he will never play for his country in the World Cup again."

Insensitive because we all have moments like this, or at least worse (see Jim Marshall). Robert Green made a mistake, but he should never be under a bus. If you claim your team is a favourite, and if I have more fingers on my hand than you have "goals scored", you don't deserve to win. No one goalie blunder can erase that.

Second, I was correct because Robert Green was Fabio's man, and not the FA's man: David James. Since 1966, The Football Association (of England) undermines and overrules its managers at every turn. The shift from a "player's coach" like Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson, to "company men" like Sven-Goran Eriksson and Ron Greenwood happens with clockwork regularity. You can read the full history of England's managers on Wikipedia, yet when strong-willed and popular managers get too close to their players (see Sir Alf, 1974 World Cup qualifying...be patient it's a long example), or when "company men" prove how their ineptness for the job (see Graeme Taylor, 1994 World Cup qualifying), these managers get the axe.

My favourite example comes from 1977 - The FA hold interviews for the manager vacancy after the resignation of Don Revie. Popular, outspoken, and uncontrollable manager Brian Clough is a front runner for the job, but he interviews before a preliminary panel. The FA already made their decision: Ron Greenwood. He lasts five years: Failing to qualify for the 1978 World Cup, group stage in the Euro 1980, and the second round in the 1982 World Cup. Meanwhile, Clough wins one league championship in 1978, and back-to-back European Club Championships in 1979 and 1980 with Nottingham Forest. Hmm...

What will it take to rid England of the snake-bitten label? Who is in charge of England for Euro 2012: Fabio or The FA? Will David James be in goal again?

As for Robert Green, he never did tend goal again for England in the 2010 World Cup. David James, who became Fabio's "reluctant" choice goaltender, guided England out of the group stage. As expected they faced stiff opposition in Germany in the second round; as expected, David James and England folded up like pup tents 4-1 to the Germans. What? No sound?!

For the record, Robert Green is still my man for the job.

Now, Elton John will sing Candle in the Wind.

Czar Blatter: The man behind the curtain?

Why am I the only one willing to question the divine origin of all words spoken by Czar Blatter I? When the Czar speaks we all tremble, but no longer shall I be fooled by him who speaks from his ivory tower deep in the European countryside.

What is he talking about?

The man behind the curtain refuses to address the real issues plaguing the game of soccer because he can afford to. FIFA is the chair of "The Beautiful Business": They are in charge of the world's most popular sport, its rules, and directs sovereign countries on how they should play the game. Meanwhile, FIFA buries its head in the sand when faced with the everyday issues surrounding the game, such as corruption on the field such as biased referees, and corruption off the field involving refusal to get tough on crimes based on race, religion, or creed directly impacting the game. The "Old Firm" rivalry of Scotland, the treatment of black players in Spanish or Italian league matches, or the collapse of the South African infrastructure as a result of the 2010 World Cup are issues FIFA ignores, for example. "What to do about gameplay" is a minor issue in light of these blights on the game of soccer.

If he must tweak gameplay, however, keep the rules the same and introduce goal-line technology. The technology is there, but for reasons unknown or outdated the Czar maintains the status quo on bringing soccer into the twenty-first century.

"Soccer in the lower levels does not have video review; why should we?"

This is a paraphrased rebuttal Czar Blatter uses whenever goal-line technology or "video review" comes up. Other sports use this technology because it makes the game better, helps the referees get it right, and brings legitimacy to the game. However, like the microphones wired to the heads of some World Cup referees, FIFA does not use them. This is the benefit of being the monopoly or lone shareholder of soccer. No timetable, no business rivals, and every person on this planet, even soccer haters, must ultimately go to FIFA for the final word.

Well, I'm not going to play the fool anymore. I don't need Toto to pull back the curtain to reveal who is really at fault for soccer's current malade (is that a word?). Czar Blatter: Abdicate.

This blog post is dedicated to the memory of my cousin Carl Headley in England, who passed away from a sudden illness. We miss you, Carl.