The anomaly that is VAR continues to ruffle feathers. This really should not be. The vast majority of soccer people know that VAR, or something similar was inevitable in soccer. It had become vitally necessary because of advances in technology. Replays – good replays, usually from more than one angle – were now available immediately […]
SoccerTalk with Paul Gardner
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Shawcross a brilliant signing … says Inter Miami coach Neville
Well, whoop-dee-do and drinks all around! Inter Miami has announced the first signing of the brave new Philip Neville era. And what a signing — I mean, words cannot fully convey the impact of the arrival of Ryan Shawcross. That is, the words used by the club do not do him justice. You remember him, of […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Neville's arrival at Inter Miami — is this cronyism?
So Phil Neville will be Inter Miami’s new coach. Is this, as the Miami bosses would have us believe, the beginning of an exciting new era in soccer (well, American soccer, or maybe just MLS soccer, come to that)? Neville’s appointment quickly came under suspicion — because Neville is a longtime buddy of franchise owner […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Concussions a problem? How about some more research?
England coach Gareth Southgate had his say earlier this month: “We’re still in a position where we need more research to find out exactly the impact of concussion, of heading the ball, we’re still in the dark on a lot of those things.” Southgate probably doesn’t read the British Medical Journal too much, so he […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Coaching, coaches … and me
To be given an award — to be thus honored — is a satisfying experience. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not a nice feeling to be appreciated. Hence my sincere thanks to the United Soccer Coaches for handing me their new award — their Media Career of Excellence award. * * * * * […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Personal, tangential, memories of the unforgettables — Pele and Maradona
Pele, who recently turned 80, is suffering with the aches and pains of old age. This, mind you, in the athlete who could be described as one of soccer’s great health nuts, a guy who paid infinite attention to his physical fitness, who was ever fain to point out that he rarely got injured and […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Saturday morning soccer with the Sons of Anak and a smattering of onlookers
More re-reading during these days of quarantined tedium. In “The Unexpected Professor” John Carey recalls his high school soccer days, the regular shock, every Saturday, of seeing their opponents for the first time, so intimidating, so huge. Just like “that bit in the Book of Numbers,” says Carey, “where the Israelites send out spies to […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Rule-obsession can blind referees to game reality
The world of pro soccer is not where you go if you’re looking for objectivity, and unbiased opinions. Fan loyalty, club loyalty, player loyalty, regional loyalty — all of that overlaid by aprimitive (and often quite unpleasant) nationalism, and then all of that stirred up and stoked by the snake-oil salespersons of the marketing department. […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Words, words, words … Part 2 — Guru words
Last time, I was talking about how words are used — and misused — in soccer’s rulebook. There’s not much freedom for words in a rulebook. Clarity is what matters. Ambiguities are the big no-no. Nosynonyms or indirect references, few adjectives. Inevitably, rulebooks are a bore to read. So, enough of that arid landscape. Let’s […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Words, words, words … Part 1 — Rulebook Words
It happens in every game. The referee goes up to a player, or a group of players, and delivers what looks like a stern lecture. The referee is — we can assume — giving the players a warning.They’ve been breaking the rules, and if they persist, they will be called for a foul, and maybe […]