Not the only Omar

Wait, qualified countries? Wasn't this supposed to be applicable to every FA with their own fan allocations? Did something change along the way?

This really is the pits. This is not a design that — whatever you think of them — Saudi Arabia, the organisers of the 2034 World Cup have anything to do with. Has popped up randomly on social, caught fire and now pushed for attention by the Mail. Pathetic business.

If a nation wants to produce better footballers for better national teams, then their best bet is to invest in youth/grassroots development. We've seen this in Iceland as well. The smaller nations can't just rely on imports forever.

You know that feeling when you’re really full and your body rejects even the suggestion of more food? That, but with football fans talking about bias and conspiracy.

Barcelona coach says he and his players are not happy with Miami match Barcelona coach Hansi Flick and his players are not pleased at having to travel 4,500 miles, 7,200 kilometers, to play a regular season La Liga match near Miami in December.

Football executives run football, busy trying to squeeze the lemon as hard as they can. But it's the players that take the field and play the game yet are largely ignored.

apnews.com/article/flic...

This sucks. A lot.

I know from my own experience doing it— it is NOT expensive to pay humans to do this. I got invaluable development working there. As did countless others.

But hey look at that, here’s a feedback form in case you also think it sucks www.mlssoccer.com/feedback/rec...

Literally nobody in charge at MLS has ever met a soccer fan in their entire lives

MLS is using generative AI to write match recaps. Writers used to get paid freelance rates to do that. Hssssss.

As someone whose time freelancing for MLSsoccer was a vital step in my career progression, and someone who generally gleans insight from the observations of others:

This sucks so hard.

Perhaps another reminder that inequality is growing across the developed world.

The parasitical business of ticket scalping for profit absolutely sucks

The FIFA point that they are squeezing World Cup until the pips squeak because all the money is invested in football would carry far more weight if the shear amount of money wasted on grace and favour position, executive travel and luxury accommodations wasn’t so blatantly visible.

The FIFA pricing model for the World Cup penalises teams with the most loyal traveling support, typically this has been fans from across South America in recent tournaments. 2014/18/22 they brought the noise/numbers. Dynamic pricing model means FIFA will profit from their passion.

FIFA chasing those famously passionate Super Bowl crowds...

FIFA’s ticketing policy for the World Cup risks taking game from the people, creating an environment where the content of wallets determines who gets to see biggest games. Means passionate fans from economically disadvantaged countries likely to suffer most despite providing backdrop FIFA sells.

We're customers before the matches and advertising material during and after them. It's no surprise that FIFA's going all in on that approach given how acceptable it has become in the U.S., Canada, and England.

The bar for going “live” on bits of sporting news seems to be getting lower and lower. Marcus Rashford getting a loan to Barca getting the full treatment on the Beeb. Even the bloke texting it appears to feel the same way about it.

This is something I'd expect from a tabloid outlet, not the BBC. I guess I keep dropping my expectations on them.

Commentator says flags from five continents being flown ahead of Club World Cup final. Reminder taking place in a country where immigration officials trying hardest to deport as many people as possible to as many of those continents as possible.

YouTube video by Search Party Inside Russia's creepy sport farms

Where worth watching this excellent video from Search Party on betting farms. Featuring @bellingcat.com & @josimarfootball.bsky.social

youtube.com/watch?v=_4f5...

Unfortunately, such supporters can only be duly compensated if they have the majority of people on their side putting pressure on the clubs. This isn't happening at this time, sadly.

The U.S. and Canada make this obvious, but it truly is a worldwide thing. The fans do this out of pure support, and we get taken advantage of by the powers that be.

It reminds me of the double standards in place here in Canada between Toronto and Montreal football fans.

This is a terrific article highlighting the plight of the Manchester United away fans at Lyon as well as the double standards in place for away fan treatment: sportwitness.co.uk/the-french-e...

Player accomplishments to be celebrated! Welcome back to Top 5 showcases where we show off the best of each league!

Week 3 came and FLEW by. Check out the results of this past week and our updated tables!

The chilling effect effect on student protest in America from recent government announcements threatens to steer the US among the ranks of nations where rights groups — many based in the US — say freedom of expression/right to protest carries significant risk. 2026 World Cup host.

The fact the actual regulator — The English Football Association — has allowed itself to become so massively marginalised is the reason we are now going to get another regulator. The FA ceding so much power is a big part of this mess.

Boehly and co really have brought the best of American capitalism with them to improve the Premier League. Showing the way by plugging holes through the type of chicanery that allows you to sell hotels and women’s teams to yourselves in order to book huge profits. So good for English football 🙃🙃

Fact Premier League allows clubs to pass own rules is a disaster. The recent Chelsea situation highlights this. Backed by a few clubs thinking they may face similar situation, ban on selling assets to self not imposed. Not a chance Chelsea’s women’s team can be valued at £150m, and yet here we are.