Village Idiot

Does it matter if it's cover by ordinary law if they're breaking the rules of the governing sports body? Athletes get banned for taking over the counter supplements which have substances which are banned for competition even though they aren't illegal as such. The governing sports bodies can do as they seem fit; the rationale behind our lenient old law was that it was up to sports bodies' to set the rules and police their privately-organised competitions.

A pretty nonsensical claim to make by him given that he was arrested and the ring busted in 2006, two years before the first Euros we won.

At the time the facts before the court happened, doping wasnt punishable by ordinary law in Spain, only if athletes' health was put at risk because of it (something which is tricky to prove). The law has been changed since then, but you cant do that retroactively, so there's always little that could be done in this case in particular. It isn't a coverup, just a product of a law that was behind the times.

They had somebody from the Santos board on a Catalan radio station last night, saying that Neymar was refusing to sign a new contract and they were listening to offers. So my guess is that he'll finally leave Brazil this summer.

Just saw this after coming home today. My condolences. Surely your manager has to be out in the summer after this?

Sebastian Rode to Bayern. Confirmed by Frankfurt's president apparently, although not clear if it will in the summer or 2014.

Isco won't go for less than €30m, and he's got bigger suitors than you. Wouldn't surprise me if he ended up at Real Madrid once Mou goes, for example. As I said on the manager thread, though, you should absolutely go for Pellegrini.

Still puzzled you aren't looking at La Liga given the financial condition of a lot of clubs over here.

Has Ivanovic turned into a zombie yet?

The Andalusian regional government will withdraw Sheik Al-Thani's (Málaga owner) concession over the Marbella harbor (one of the biggest recreation ports in Spain). Málaga's purchase was always a part of his investments in the region, so this will probably hasten the sale of the club.

That's because he is. His physique isn't there anymore; he can still produce some magic games, but can't last the pace of a season anymore. Hope Thiago plays a bigger role next season.

Pellegrini won't last the season, imho, given how things are at Málaga financial-wise. Now that would be some appointment.

Ok, ok. You have the pity championship sewn up, but Tuesday still sucked.

You really can't understand my pain, can you?

Ok,finished my mourning today. Still get lapses of going into a fetal position and crying uncontrollably when I remember it, but seems the worst is over.

To be frank, if Bayern end up winning a treble it'll be a hard act to follow to. Something tells me either us or RM will beat them, though.

I hate playing the CL in Saint George's Day. Very bad memories of the last time this happened.

Wtf, and that on the eve of a CL semi. Bayern are such devious cunts

he apparently was fantastic too but i haven't seen the game myself. He was fantastic indeed, very compsoed throughout and did some great interceptions. But has to be said that Levante's attacking play is pretty toothless since Martins left, Acquafresca doesn't bring what they need (mostly pace and directness). Still, Abi's performance was the greatest thing to take from last night: I would love him to resign, yesterday convinced me that despite all his health woes there's till gas in his tank

One thing I legitimately think about La Liga is that, nevertheless the two horse race at the top, the race for the CL is wide open every year. It's pretty much a closed shop in the PL and even Spurs are in danger of not making it this year either.

And the 3rd time in almost as many years. Also the 3rd time that I'll be the only one smiling the next (Mon)day at work. The only Bayern fan I know is an insufferable arrogant t***. He's been bombarding my facebook with gloating even before the draw. He's also from Singapore.

That would be 3 lost finals in a row for Bayern. Juventus-tastic.

Watching Bayern. I'm going to order some vaseline for Tuesday.

Nice too see Chelsea's lopsided transfer policy makes ours look well-thought and balanced.

Out of contract in the summer also?... Yes. For some reason Real Sociedad fans I know won't give him the time of the day though.