Posted on 1st June 2010
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
Hello and welcome back to Extra Time! The more observant among you might have noticed that we haven’t included Extra Time! in Fan Mail for a month or two. This is partially because we’re extremely lazy but also because there’s been looooaaadddss going on in preparation for the World Cup. Speaking of which, read on for our Extra Time! World Cup special. It’s nearly here, come on!
As Three Lions fans fret over fluky friendly wins and whether or not Gareth Barry will be fit to take his stupendous club form (ahem) into the World Cup, Extra Time! thought wouldn’t it be nice to put a dampener on other nations’ hopes by pointing out that they can be a bit rubbish too? Of course it would.
Now France still have a fairly mighty reputation despite their golden generation’s shine fading fast (at least theirs delivered, you might argue) but don’t let reputation scare you. William Gallas has proved time and again he’s fallible and his latest escapades only back this up – his balance has gone and he can’t handle pace.
Never forget either, even the world’s greatest players are capable of looking like dicks. Check out the once great Zinedine Zidane (below) for proof of that. Once the most elegant player on the planet he now best resembles a drunken dad showing the kids how it’s not done.
Not that South American countries have a chance either, take Argentina for example. Maradona – never heard of him either – has called up a frankly unbelievable 91 players in the past 12 months alone. That’s the type of stability guaranteed to bring success. Despite that he still found no room for Inter’s superb Champions League winner Esteban Cambiasso. Nope, his place goes to Juan Sebastian Veron a midfielder whose legs were last seen in use at Old Trafford sometime in 2001.
Not only that but their forward line could yet be led by 36-year-old workhorse Martin Palermo, a man best known for the unusual achievement of missing three penalties in one game. Beat that Frank Lampard (only two in two missed).
The World Cup isn’t only about players of course, let’s not forget the fans and this man in particular – the world’s fastest clapper. Impressive stuff, although you’d probably want to slap him if he was sat behind you. Careful though, because in that time he’d probably be able to slap you back 37 times.
Anyway, the Word Cup’s nearly here, bring it on. Don’t forget though, as well as the FSF’s World Cup website you can also keep up with our England-related activities by keeping an eye on the FSF’s Facebook fan page, signing up to Twitter@FSF_FreeLions, or signing up to E-Lions (if you don’t get E-Lions simply reply ‘E-Lions’ to Fan Mail or join the FSF if none of that makes sense).
Almost there now…
England fans have been reporting issues with the Women’s World Cup ticketing system all tournament, but thanks to work from the Free Lionesses team the vast majority of travelling England fans should make tomorrow’s semi-final.
The winners of the FSA Awards in association with BeGambleAware will be announced on Friday 12th March in an online event, following more than 250,000 votes being cast by supporters throughout the country in February.
Football Supporters’ Association chief executive Kevin Miles appeared on Sky Sports News yesterday to discuss UEFA’s latest proposed European competition changes.
Fans of women’s football want to see an improvement in the standard of officiating, with almost nine out of ten (87.6%) in favour of the introduction of full-time referees according to the results of our Women’s Game Survey which are published today.
