Village Idiot

And Messi had to cough up €50 million in back taxes+fines.

Because he would never have to serve that year. In Spain, if you lack priors you don't go to the can if you get a sentence lower than 2 years. Or are a footballer. Everyone is at it at Barca, no-one ever gets punished. It's the law, and it applies to everyone. Yes, there are many complains that our tax law is way too benign, but it applies to any rich cheating b******, not just Barça players. The "you don't serve if it's less than 2 years" rule applies to any sentence, incidentally. Not just tax.

Because he would never have to serve that year. In Spain, if you lack priors you don't go to the can if you get a sentence lower than 2 years.

This was known, it's a plea deal and he won't have to serve.

http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,97534.0.html Thanks for the link. Yay, I won one! As usual thanks Kaiz for keeping this going. It's a fine NO tradition.

What? The N-O awards have already been given? Damn, I've missed them this year Just moved to a new house and it's taken a while to get all stuff set up.

The president of the Spanish FA - and acting president of UEFA - is in the process of being removed from office by the Spanish government after it was found out that he made personal favors to two small Segunda B clubs. He gave them licenses even though the FA should have denied them because of their debt. Now, this may not look like something grievous to you, but the guy is massive crook. It's like putting the head of the yakuza in the can for parking violations, but I'll take that.

That just a little below their averages, and January is usually a weak month. Camp Nou or Bernabéu only get filled up for big games.

He's played in Rakitic's position in a few games. I think Lucho envisions him as a flexible player that he can use to cover several positions in the middle and the wing.

How did Turan do? He was decent. We had a good hold of the game until he went, actually.

Still a pretty good result. Can't see Athletic overturning a deficit at our place.

Is Hasselbaink underrated? He had a tremendous season in Spain.

He's been sporting that since before Christmas. Nice way to start the tie.

I myself I am surprised about Neymar's growth as a player these past two seasons. I knew he would be good player when we signed him, but not a Ballon D'Or quality player. I hope he signs that damn contract extension.

Is the thread title true? Looks like Pardew is finally molding that Palace side into a Pardew team.

Wasn't Marcelino a bit of a malingerer? SDJ just seems comically accident-prone.

Same reason as us, illegal young player transfers. When we got handed our ban, the Spanish FA was also fined and asked to change its transfer rules regarding young players. I bet most Spanish clubs will be at fault if they start looking, since the FA was doing it wrong to begin with.

They'll probably appeal and get a dispensation to buy this summer, like us. They will go nuts.

Atlético and Real Madrid issued a two-window transfer ban, starting summer 2016. For pretty much the same reasons we got ours. Florentino Pérez will top himself if he can't buy players.

No idea, I'm clueless about this kind of stuff. I know his release fee is just €20m, but they were trying to get him to sign a new contract with a larger one.

Looks like we are close to get Nolito on a loan with obligation to buy deal. He'd be a much needed backup for our front three.

Also, I hate those automatic supermarket checkout machines with the heat of a million suns.

Genius. Loved the "editing the videotapes so the club with the highest viewership prevails" panel. Because it would totally happen if they could.

I get the feeling that Messi seems more comfortable in slotting behind Neymar and Suárez and feeding them. I suspect we won't see those ridiculous goal returns from him anymore - which I guess it's good for the team, since we were stupidly dependent on him for that in years past. Suárez is our top goalscorer this season so far, with a comfortable margin.

I hope that adds up 100% or else Blatter is f***ed It doesn't need to, the remainder is votes for players that didn't end up in the top 3.