The 2026/27 Football Season

[daviemac]

This “international break” from proper football seems to be going on for ever.

They've merged two international breaks into one longer one.

[southcoastpunter]

It’s outrageous.

If you don’t know anything about football, how can you make that assessment - you don’t know the arguments either way!

[stampjones]

This “international break” from proper football seems to be going on for ever.

Needless to say, I normally pay no attention to any of it.  It's just irritating noise in the distant background.  However last night on the TV news they mentioned that England had beaten Croatia in an international match – in something called the Nations League.

What the fuck is the Nations League? 

(That’s a rhetorical question.  I don’t want to know the answer.  I don’t care.  Until yesterday I’d never heard of it.)

I have to accept that proper football sometimes needs to be interrupted by qualification matches for the World Cup and the European Cup, annoying though they are – and I’d assumed that the current international break involved one or other of those.

But it turns out to be about some obscure Mickey Mouse competition called the Nations League.  It’s outrageous.

100%
International football is boring (and I'm not just saying that because I'm Scottish)

[toon972]

Agreed roll on next week.

[foreverchanges]

Who'd have guessed that allowing countries to buy football clubs would go wrong

True and Burnham isn't the first British PM of this country to be leant on by a foreign country when it comes to controversial sporting decisions.

[webpunter]

True and Burnham isn't the first British PM of this country to be leant on by a foreign country when it comes to controversial sporting decisions.

U going to share ?

[daviemac]

U going to share ?

He can in the politics thread if he wants but not here.

It doesn't take a genius to work out what he means with him being read and white.

[timsussex]

100%
International football is boring (and I'm not just saying that because I'm Scottish)

Its come at a good time for the Toon - might even have a full bench after the break !

[foreverchanges]

He can in the politics thread if he wants but not here.

It doesn't take a genius to work out what he means with him being read and white.

I was referring to the Basil D'Oliviera Affair of 1968 if you must know  - can't think of  what being red and white has to do with that.

[john122350]

England keeper Jordan Pickford chased by cops in 50mph pursuit after almost causing pile-up in his Lamborghini External Link/Members Only

[Stevelondon]

Oh my god.     A pursuit at 50mph.

Anything to get a bloody headline 🤷🏼

[webpunter]

Oh my god.     A pursuit at 50mph.

Anything to get a bloody headline 🤷🏼

A 30 zone & the rozzer in hot pursuit mentioned he was doing 50 & Pickford was still pulling away 
20 mph over the limit in 30 zone is normally a ban 1-4 weeks, 4-6 points & an income related fine
The police wont easily be able to know what speed he got up to
Unless they get clever & access the tracker

I can see Pickford up close to the steering wheel not coz he's nervous like some drivers [often women] but because his arms are so short 

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[timsussex]

I was referring to the Basil D'Oliviera Affair of 1968 if you must know  - can't think of  what being red and white has to do with that.

After the farce of him not being picked then picked for SA tour and the subsequent tour abandonment because SA woudnt let him play in a whites only game . 
Private Eye ran a cover pic of him being presented to HM the Queen  at Lords before a match The speech bubbles had Liz saying "Oh are you the chap that has been blackballed ?" and the reply "Yes Ma'am since Birth"

[webpunter]

There was a recent post about a Hull City player turning his car over close to the training ground
I didn't realise the 2nd in three weeks
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Both flips look like they are on residential roads with pavements
Quite how they both managed to achieve this i have no idea
Its not like they're on country roads where banks side of the carriageway can make this happen if the car slides off the tarmac
If the players were driving at even slightly above the speed limit next to no chance that the cars will flip
My conclusion & i'd put a wager on this is that they were both driving like cunts
In both cases looks like no one else involved thankfully 

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[daviemac]

I was referring to the Basil D'Oliviera Affair of 1968 if you must know  - can't think of  what being red and white has to do with that.

A post about a South African born English cricketer from the 60's on the 2026/27 football season thread, err OK.   

[Stevelondon]

N Ireland v Georgia.

No idea how NI have not been awarded a penalty. No idea how that Georgian player on the yellow card has not been sent off.

Ref is absolutely atrocious

[foreverchanges]

A post about a South African born English cricketer from the 60's on the 2026/27 football season thread, err OK.   

A bit like the 'Names Of Places That Are The Same As Another Place' thread yesterday which suddenly turned into the sloping  football pitches of the North East 

[TomTank]

ABU, moi ? 
When Leeds were getting stuffed on their slide to relegation back to the Championship in the 2022-23 season i'd look to the Utd result & if they'd got beat or thrown away a lead to draw it would soften the blow
City haven't been destroying football more the opposite they've been over zealous and now they have to pay the price whatever punishments get dished out

You're not really part of the ABU nation, you're Leeds so perfectly natural to hate us, unlike the tinpot club clowns.

City and Chelsea have definitely been destroying football ... owners with no connection to the club financially super doping, and pushing cost and prices up for everyone else.

I normally hate international breaks but this has been a great one, seeing city exposed for what they are.

[webpunter]

You're not really part of the ABU nation, you're Leeds so perfectly natural to hate us, unlike the tinpot club clowns.

City and Chelsea have definitely been destroying football ... owners with no connection to the club financially super doping, and pushing cost and prices up for everyone else.

I normally hate international breaks but this has been a great one, seeing city exposed for what they are.

Non ABU 
C & C super doping sums it up
There's also been the super international break how convenient
The PL timed their announcement to perfection what tinkers they are 
3 weeks to deliberate oh england scored 7 did they
NFI whats going on with the light blue team ?

The £2.5bn / £5bn [choose which value] darker blue bottlers IMO in light of the City unravelling deserve further PL inspection
The PL focus is rightly elsewhere presently
However when the dust settles [eventually] IMO the total bollocks WSL & hotel fiddles need to be re-examined
& City [presuming they get a big one up the gary] will be top of the list of complainers

[john122350]

Chelsea star Moises Caicedo handed eight-point penalty for driving £160k supercar without valid licence External Link/Members Only

[timsussex]

Chelsea star Moises Caicedo handed eight-point penalty for driving £160k supercar without valid licence External Link/Members Only

Seems a light sentence unless his expensive lawyer convinced them it was just a paperwork error 

He has been here over 5 years and apparently you can't just swap an Ecuador licence for a UK one - after 12 months you need  to get a provisional licence and then pass the test - or at least us plebs do 

[john122350]

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has been given a suspended six-week ban by the FA after its investigation into the 'Spygate scandal that saw the club kicked out of the Championship play-off final in May.

Eckert has also been handed a small fine, having been charged by the governing body for bringing the game into disrepute in July.

He had been at Wembley Stadium for a hearing on September 24, before the FA delivered their verdict in an announcement on Wednesday.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

I think that he’s got off lightly, he has been involved in cheating yet he’s virtually got away with it. Saints have been punished by being expelled from the play offs and a small points deduction which has hardly affected them and of course they may not have even won the play offs anyway.

It’s makes you wonder how they will deal with the other cheats from Manchester, I’m not brimming with confidence about that!

[Vice Admiral]

Staggering.

Eckert’s annual salary is between £1.4 million and £1.8 million.  The fine is £28,000. That’s 1.75% of his pay – the equivalent of someone on £50,000 a year being fined £875.  And not a single day's  ban.

I repeat: staggering.

[southcoastpunter]

I think that he’s got off lightly, he has been involved in cheating yet he’s virtually got away with it. Saints have been punished by being expelled from the play offs and a small points deduction which has hardly affected them and of course they may not have even won the play offs

You need to see the FA report to maybe appreciate why he  was given the penalty he was given!

Whilst nothing is guaranteed in football, we were hot favourites and on a big “roll” so whilst it wasn’t certain, it was probably that we would have won the playoff final. And 4 points deduction could well make the difference between automatic promotion or in the playoffs or even missing the playoffs so it has been a big penalty on the club!

What happens to Man City is another matter!

[Jumping Jack Flash]

You need to see the FA report to maybe appreciate why he  was given the penalty he was given!

Whilst nothing is guaranteed in football, we were hot favourites and on a big “roll” so whilst it wasn’t certain, it was probably that we would have won the playoff final. And 4 points deduction could well make the difference between automatic promotion or in the playoffs or even missing the playoffs so it has been a big penalty on the club!

What happens to Man City is another matter!

That he encouraged cheating and was very contrite is laughable. He/the club got caught cheating and both should have been punished much more severely. Saying sorry and that you didn’t mean it is not a defence and undermines the credibility of football.

Cheats should never prosper.

[timsussex]

I suppose you could argue that the club was heavily punished and he wasnt the real problem

[Vice Admiral]

I suppose you could argue that the club was heavily punished and he wasnt the real problem

There is some validity in that, I suppose.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

I suppose you could argue that the club was heavily punished and he wasnt the real problem

They weren’t heavily punished though were they? There was no guarantee that they’d have won the play offs anyway so the only punishment that they’ve received is a small points deduction.

I don’t have a problem with Southampton, I’ve no axe to grind with them. What I do despise is cheating in sport and want those that are found guilty of cheating to have the proverbial book thrown at them.

[timsussex]

They weren’t heavily punished though were they? There was no guarantee that they’d have won the play offs anyway so the only punishment that they’ve received is a small points deduction.

I don’t have a problem with Southampton, I’ve no axe to grind with them. What I do despise is cheating in sport and want those that are found guilty of cheating to have the proverbial book thrown at them.

Lets assume they only had a 50:50 chance (although most had them as favourites)

what would you value a 50:50 shot at £200million ?  thats a pretty hefty fine

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Lets assume they only had a 50:50 chance (although most had them as favourites)

what would you value a 50:50 shot at £200million ?  thats a pretty hefty fine

Favourites don’t tend to do well in the play offs.

[southcoastpunter]

It wasn’t just the money that the club may have got through promotion but also the fact that the players could have been “premier league “ players with the status that gives them but also that Eckert could also have been a PL manager - again the status that would give him on his cv!

the FA considered that a significant punishment had already been given and a therefore a suspended sentence and a fine was appropriate.

[Private Parts]

It wasn’t just the money that the club may have got through promotion but also the fact that the players could have been “premier league “ players with the status that gives them but also that Eckert could also have been a PL manager - again the status that would give him on his cv!

the FA considered that a significant punishment had already been given and a therefore a suspended sentence and a fine was appropriate.

Oh bless. Southampton were cheats.
Cowards. Sending an office boy up to do the dirty work.

Not in Lawrie's day. Total embarrassment

[southcoastpunter]

Sending an office boy up to do the dirty work.

The whole thing was really stupid and that bit in particular!

[mr.bluesky]

Favourites don’t tend to do well in the play offs.

As Hull City proved last season beating Middlesbrough in the final . Eckert tried to justify his actions by saying it happens a lot on the continent which was a load of bollocks. As Jumping Jack says he got off rather lightly.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

It wasn’t just the money that the club may have got through promotion but also the fact that the players could have been “premier league “ players with the status that gives them but also that Eckert could also have been a PL manager - again the status that would give him on his cv!

the FA considered that a significant punishment had already been given and a therefore a suspended sentence and a fine was appropriate.

That’s like saying I was pulled for drink driving and blew over the limit but it’s OK because I was driving at 28mph in a 30 zone.

He encouraged cheating and it wasn’t an isolated incident, there’s no defence from being contrite and saying it is commonplace on the continent either.

In the cold light of day he’s a cheat and he has been treated with incredible leniency.

[southcoastpunter]

Your view and you are entitled to it- I disagree and so did the FA independent regulatory commission!

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Your view and you are entitled to it- I disagree and so did the FA independent regulatory commission!

He cheated, the club were punished yet he’s got away with it. However you dress it your manager is a cheat and was treated with incredible leniency.

There’s no place for cheats at any level in any sport.

[southcoastpunter]

You see cheating in one form or another every time you watch football!

I dislike it too but it happens- perhaps we should become cricket fans instead!

[timsussex]

Your view and you are entitled to it- I disagree and so did the FA independent regulatory commission!

while I might agree with you I really wouldnt hold anything the FA or PL  are involved in as a good yardstick 

[john122350]

Granit Xhaka has been fined £136,265, suspended for two years, for forging a COVID-19 vaccine certificate.

The sanction has been handed down by the Lucerne's Public Prosector's Office after admitting last month that he made a "mistake".

The sanction consists of 50 daily rates of £2,725 and will not be enforced as long as he doesn't commit further offences during the two-year period.

The 34-year-old was left out of Switzerland's international squad after the admission and has today released a statement on his Instagram story, saying that his intention is to "take responsibility".

"A few weeks ago, I spoke personally here and said that I would take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that.' he said. "After I gave a ful statement to the public prosecutor's office, the public prosecutor's decision has now been issued .

[Stevelondon]

Granit Xhaka has been fined £136,265, suspended for two years, for forging a COVID-19 vaccine certificate.

The sanction has been handed down by the Lucerne's Public Prosector's Office after admitting last month that he made a "mistake".

The sanction consists of 50 daily rates of £2,725 and will not be enforced as long as he doesn't commit further offences during the two-year period.

The 34-year-old was left out of Switzerland's international squad after the admission and has today released a statement on his Instagram story, saying that his intention is to "take responsibility".

"A few weeks ago, I spoke personally here and said that I would take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that.' he said. "After I gave a ful statement to the public prosecutor's office, the public prosecutor's decision has now been issued .

So no fine 🤷🏼

[mr.bluesky]

Granit Xhaka has been fined £136,265, suspended for two years, for forging a COVID-19 vaccine certificate.

The sanction has been handed down by the Lucerne's Public Prosector's Office after admitting last month that he made a "mistake".

The sanction consists of 50 daily rates of £2,725 and will not be enforced as long as he doesn't commit further offences during the two-year period.

The 34-year-old was left out of Switzerland's international squad after the admission and has today released a statement on his Instagram story, saying that his intention is to "take responsibility".

"A few weeks ago, I spoke personally here and said that I would take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that.' he said. "After I gave a ful statement to the public prosecutor's office, the public prosecutor's decision has now been issued .

So he's not hard as granite then 

[Blackpool Rock]

2 years after purchasing them the owners of Everton are considering selling a controlling stake

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[nwluvit]

Shame. Havevthey just realised its a closed shop?

[john122350]

Man City held secret 'settlement talks' with Premier League BEFORE guilty verdict in 115 charges case | Goal.com External Link/Members Only

[mr.bluesky]

Man City held secret 'settlement talks' with Premier League BEFORE guilty verdict in 115 charges case | Goal.com External Link/Members Only

No doubt entered the room with envelopes stuffed with cash.

[mr.bluesky]

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[Blackpool Rock]

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[Vice Admiral]

No comments yet on Saturday's football.  That's unusual!

It’s tight at the top of the Championship.  Ten clubs are separated by six points:
1  Swansea City
2  Middlesbrough
3  West Ham United
4  Stoke City
5  Wolverhampton Wanderers
6  Queens Park Rangers
7  Birmingham City
8  Millwall
9  West Bromwich Albion
10  Bristol City

It’s the usual mix of yo-yo clubs and “more in hope than expectation” clubs.  Early days yet, but it's always fun to see new-ish faces in the Premier League, especially if they go on to give some of the big clubs a bloody nose.

So how about Swansea, Millwall and Bristol City to be promoted?  That would shake the Premier League up a bit.

Especially Millwall!