Besides all the inhuman mistakes soccer players make in soccer matches, it is still a game of gentlemen, and it is again proven by the guard of honor many clubs offer to other teams who have recently won a title trophy. The tradition is running since long and this time it was Manchester United’s turn to accept the honor after winning EPL title. First one to accept their march is Arsenal, whose manager Arsene Wenger says that his team will offer a guard of honor in favor of United before Sunday’s match at Emirates Stadium for their valuable win in the EPL. It is a good tradition to respect the teams for their hard work and great performances throughout the tournament which made them a title holder. Wenger said, “I want the traditions of English football to be respected.” Actually, this is not the first time a team is doing this; perhaps Manchester United was probably the first team to offer their salute to winning teams. It did this back in 1991 to Arsenal at Highbury and then to … [Read more...]
Stan Kroenke is not selling his stake in Arsenal
Amid wide speculations about a possible Arsenal’s takeover by a UAE consortium is ruled out by the club’s spokesman citing his major stock holder Stan Kroenke is nowhere interested in selling his stake in the EPL club. Two of the biggest English newspapers recently reported that an Arab based consortium has offered almost double amount to take full control over Gunners. Moreover, reports also mentioned that consortium is even ready to bring major changes in the club by reducing ticket prices and selling players to increase its cash reserve. Recently, Arsenal behavior was widely criticized over its tickets price policy by fixing more than double amount for its home matches. Arsenal is reportedly having debts over 250 million and if such a deal takes place, it would have much cash reserves to clear all its debts coz the expected price being offered by consortium is around 1.5 billons. Since, all these rumors are based on media reports; no definite confirmation has been made ether from … [Read more...]
January transfer window should be reduced or abolished: Arsene Wenger
While most of the clubs are busy in drafting their buy out deals in running transfer window, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has intensified another issue regarding completely banning or at least reducing January transfer window. Interestingly, another high profile soccer official, UEFA president Michel Platini, is also in his support for such a move. Wenger has a reason for his demand; he finds lots of players and coaches live in a dilemma throughout the season about whether they will stay for their teams they have started with or not. Such uncertainty obviously effects their involvement with the game and downgrades their match performances. His follower on the issue, Platini, told to the reporters at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, “I think it’s unacceptable when, in one part of the competition, a player plays for team A against team B and, in the second half, he plays for team B against team A. This transfer window has been created to allow for a certain amount of business in a few other … [Read more...]
Now a campaign to restrict away matches’ ticket prices at £20
Everybody saw what happened in the recent match between Manchester City and Arsenal where latter fixed the unparalleled price for City fans. Even though City won the match, there were more than two third of the City fans who did not accept the arbitrary pricing put on by north London club. Now, a campaign has been called upon to avoid any future alike situation where a host team could fix an unwarranted ticket pricing either to avoid visitor’s fan to attend the match, or to make it sure that host would always have an edge over visitors. Football Supporters Federation, who has come forward to put a ceiling on all away prices, has decided to put a £20 max cap which is well within the reach of any fan who wants to follow his favorite team. Notably, more than two third tickets of City vs. Arsenal match were sent back by City citing their price was too high for their fans, despite, around 1000 city fans were presented on the D-day and cheered their team. Actually, this is not just a one … [Read more...]
Manchester City thank its fans for following despite a hefty ticket price
Manchester City defeated Arsenal by 2-0 on Sunday, but that match is more popular for the ticket pricing row. Notably, Arsenal set a ticket pricing which was unprecedented until now; they set 62 pounds a ticket for City fans if they want to follow their team, perhaps this issued was more in news ever since Arsenal raised the tickets prices to deprive City fans to cheer their fans. Moreover, City had to return back more than a third of its allotted tickets to Holloway club citing prices were too high. Now, when everything seemed to be concluded in City’s favor, another interesting thing happened on the ground where linesman John Brooks was seen through rolling camera advising Joleon Lescott and Joe Hart to acknowledge their fans who have spent a pricey amount to come here and cheer their team. Perhaps, city fans who attended the match were with a banner that reads as "£62!! Where will it stop?" It was more a protest to show the world how arbitrary ticket pricing was fixed for this … [Read more...]