Why Sepp Blatter is Wrong to Question the Penalty Shootout

The year is 1968. Competing in their first ever Olympic Games, Israel have held the comparative might of Bulgaria to a 1-1 draw, after scoring a last minute equaliser. As this quarter final drew to a close, the momentum was very much with the underdogs, and the prospect of a medal was starting to look very real.

But that’s when the football stopped. At the 90 minute mark, the names of both teams were placed into a bowl. The name ‘Bulgaria’ was drawn. Boom. Bulgaria go through. See ya Israel, better luck next time.

So it came to be that pensioner Yosef Dagan first proposed the idea of a penalty shootout to FIFA. Like many others, he couldn’t believe his team had been eliminated in such a random way. He wanted a fairer way to resolve such matches.

Dagan’s voice was heard, and the penalty shootout was adopted in 1970. It has to date provided the nerve-shredding conclusion to some truly thrilling matches (2005 Champions League), as well as some utterly dreadful ones (1994 World Cup final). But the beauty of the shootout is that, while being largely unpredictable, it rewards the team that can best work a psychological edge, keep its nerve and, crucially, show the sharpest shooting from twelve yards. On the coaching and playing side, there is a huge amount of skill involved.

The penalty shootout is not, as some would call it, a lottery. The better players tend to prevail, which is why England lose so many. Since the dawn of the game, the victor is the one that takes its chances, and you can’t say much fairer than that. That is what penalties are all about.

Chelsea deserved to win the Champions League last week for precisely this reason. The shootout was simply the manifestation of the mindsets that had set in during the match. Bayern no longer believed they could win, whereas Chelsea believed they could.

In much the same way, it was Zambia’s firm belief in their destiny that saw them prevail in their glorious Africa Cup of Nations triumph. It’s never been a nice way to lose, but you can’t deny that penalties separate the weak from the strong, those prepared to win at all costs versus those who shrink in the face of such pressure. Isn’t that what football has always been about?

This is why, when Sepp Blatter says that the penalty shootout is not in keeping with the spirit of the game, he is so very, very wrong. If nothing else, there is no better alternative way to settle a match. Referring to previous examples, there are some football matches that could be played forever, without finding a winner, and the idea of replays cheats those fans that came to the initial final expecting to see a result.

Granted, if you are able to hit the crossbar from the halfway line, or recite the closing act of Othello, in such a high-pressure situation, you probably deserve the trophy. But the team in the better mindset would still find a way through, just in more ludicrous circumstances.

Yosef Dagan couldn’t stand to see all of his team’s hard work undone by a decision totally beyond their control. FIFA will doubtless spend millions on research, looking for a new and exciting way to mess with a perfect system, only to prove him right all over again.

The Hodge Podge England Squad

The announcement of the England squad for a major tournament is always a big talking point. But this time round, it doesn't feel like it matters all that much.

England's opening game of the tournament will be manager Roy Hodgson's third as national team coach. Even by this country's standards, he is likely to still be in a period of grace. This is helped by the fact that the 2010 World Cup was so dreadful from and England perspective, and nobody expects this team to pull up any trees in Poland and Ukraine.

The pressure, therefore, is very much off, and in my view, this should be reflected in the squad choice that is made tomorrow.

Every two years (luck permitting) we are beset with articles about the 'difficult choices' that a manager must face when picking his squad. This year, it is no different. Can you really leave out a suspended Wayne Rooney? A probably racist John Terry? An unfit Rio Ferdinand? The answer this time is simple. Yes, you can.

In the build up to this squad announcement, Hodgson has emerged as the supreme pragmatist, likely to pick a solid, slightly conservative squad based on who is fit and most readily available. Not form. Why take a risk on the big names when you have a chance at looking at an emerging talent? He isn't looking to rock the boat, but have a good steady tournament and, I dare say, play some nice football.

For those reasons, I've picked what I feel to be Hodgson's ideal 23 man squad. It's a team able to adapt to a number of different styles (4-2-3-1 being the optimum), attack with pace when necessary, but also sit back and keep the ball against the more technically gifted sides.

Here goes:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart; Robert Green; John Ruddy

Norwich keeper given the edge by virtue of there being nobody else available whatsoever.

Defenders: Micah Richards; Kyle Walker; Phil Jones; Gary Cahill; Joleon Lescott; Phil Jagielka; Ashley Cole; Leighton Baines

No racial conflicts, plenty of pace, bit of dead ball ability in there too. Lovely.

Midfielders: Scott Parker; Gareth Barry; Frank Lampard; Steven Gerrard; Theo Walcott; Ashley Young; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Joe Cole

Many pundits have forgotten about Joe Cole, but he's been a key part of a Lille side that played in the Champions League and made a late charge for the French title. Not a quick winger any more, but in Rooney's absence, he is a great option to play just in behind a central striker. Oxlade-Chamberlain brings something special to the squad, the fear factor. It's him or Lennon, but I just feel the Tottenham man's delivery is going to be a permanent barrier between himself and true international quality.


If Scott Parker were to be injured, the most sensible replacement, were he to accept it, is Paul Scholes.

Forwards: Danny Welbeck; Jermain Defoe; Andy Carroll; Grant Holt

Like I say, no Rooney. Deal with it. Grant Holt gets in ahead of the likes of Sturridge, Zamora and Crouch due to his ability to win, keep, and use the ball well. Andy Carroll, for all his criticism, has the attributes to be a success for England if we do revert to a more direct approach. And let's face it, with our players, we may need to take that option if we're to get very far.

A proper team of the year

The PFA released its team of the year tonight. As always, it seems to have ignored the players who actually had good seasons, in favour of those who merely fulfilled their reputations.

I decided to change that. Your comments welcome.

Rubbish PFA team of the year:
Hart; Walker, Kompany, Coloccini, Baines; Parker, Toure, Silva, Bale; Rooney, Van Persie

Much more accurate team of the year:
Vorm; Richards, Williams, Kompany, Clichy; Tiote, Toure, Dempsey, Bale; Van Persie, Rooney

How Zambia made it possible to love football again

Football has experienced a rather ugly week. The resignation of a highly-paid coach over the bizarre defence of a probable racist. The lack of contrition shown by one player over his racial abuse of another professional. Tax scams. Homophobia. Two-footed tackles. Stoke City. But all of this pales into insignificance when tonight's achievement by the Zambia football team is taken into account.


In 1993, when taking off from Libreville, Gabon, a plane carrying the Zambian side exploded killing every passenger on board. An entire generation of footballing talent was wiped out. This year's African Cup of Nations tournament was the team's first return to Gabon since the tragedy, and against all the odds, they made it to the final. In the same city where their predecessors lost their lives, Zambia set out to lay some very real ghosts to rest.


The sole survivor of the '93 generation, Kalusha Bwalya, is now the president of the Zambia football association. Talk prior to the game spoke of the Zambians having two teams on the pitch in tonight's final, to be played against red hot favourites the Ivory Coast. After a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes, a penalty shootout was begun, and the Zambian players knelt on the pitch to sing prayers and chants for the dead.


At times, it was hard to believe these prayers were not going unanswered. After 14 straight penalties were scored, Kolo Toure saw his kick saved by Zambian keeper Kennedy Mweene, a player who had scored his own penalty before shaking the hand of his compatriot. Rainford Kalaba, with the weight of a nation's impossible dreams on his shoulders, skied the penalty that would have won the game.


But still the twists came. With the penalty spot now resembling a collapsed sand castle, Gervinho skewed his kick metres wide of post and bar. The chance was then presented to Stoppila Sunzu to take the game. Visibly chanting his dreams into the sky, he ran up to make history. The net bulged.


The collection of players who are now wildly parading the trophy around Libreville would struggle to gain a place at almost any side in England's top two divisions. But the display given by each one of them has outmatched everything we have come to expect from our heroes of the domestic and international game. The Chipolopolo (copper bullets) may have had a Hollywood-esque incentive to do well at this tournament, but that belies a tactical system and squad that has been steadfastly in place for over four years. And nobody can help but be inspired by a group or individual that goes about their work with sheer, unequivocal, love.


There remains a lot to dislike about football, but for as long as teams like Zambia continue to keep the spirits of the game alive, even the ugliest footballing weeks will see a delightful dawn.

Why John Terry Must Lose the England Armband

'Innocent until proven guilty' is an adage that we should all live by. But when the 'innocent' party is caught on camera blatantly committing an offence, only to deny it, we enter something of a grey area.

John Terry is possibly innocent of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. Most likely he is guilty as sin, but let's put that to one side. The fact is, while the accusations against him remain unproven either way, he represents a presence in the England side, and in the footballing world, that has rightly been called 'toxic'.

How, with all of its efforts to take racism out of football, can the FA stand by and allow England to travel to Poland and Ukraine, two areas where racist activity is a big problem within football, with a captain that could even possibly be considered a racist? What kind of message does this send out to the footballing world? That if you're English, your actions don't matter? If John Terry does lead the side out during Euro 2012, and is later found to be guilty, then we have essentially advocated racism in our game provided it leads to positive results on the pitch.

That is not a risk I want to see England take. As well as being reprehensible, John Terry is a replaceable figure for the national team, and steps should be taken to make sure we distance ourselves from the actions he is accused of and the PR storm they will inevitably create.

That's why I started the following petition, calling for John Terry to be stripped of the England captaincy and banned from international football until his trial is concluded.

You can sign the petition by clicking here - http://t.co/YepHHDjg

Should Premier League sides be allowed to field 'B' teams in the lower leagues?

Andre Villas Boas, in his infinite wisdom, has suggested that English football follow the Spanish model, allowing top sides to field their 'B' teams in lower divisions.

I'm resisting the temptation to list the many, many thoughts I have on this issue, as I'd like to get your opinions. Have a read of the full story below and add your comments, or tweet your stuff over to @FLBeavers, and I'll post the results below...

Ready? Go.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jan/19/villas-boas-premier-league-b-championship


From Andy Knight
They can in the spanish leagues, so why not? Great idea to invest in young talent with some structure. It can only be a good way of breeding young english talent into the game without pre-packaged foreigners taking their places in the pecking order. Also if a player's on loan I'm guessing they get little contact with their mother club, having a B Team will only improve standards.

From Pat Langridge
The current loan system is great for young players but abused by clubs stock piling senior players and loaning them to rival clubs. Man City can loan Adebayor to spurs and pay his wages to score against everyone BUT city themselves, because of course he's ineligible for the game this Sunday.

Ten predictions for 2012

The start of a new year brings the hope of new beginnings, and for most football clubs, an optimism that their under-rated side will start to prove the doubters wrong.

Inevitably, these illusions will lie in tatters by the end of the month, but with half of the season still to go, things can still change substantially. To help spare you the shock, I thought it best to run through the more interesting revelations you will see come to pass during 2012.

Some of these are at best optimistic, fuelled in part by sheer hope rather than expectation. But it will still be enlightening to look back in twelve months to assess how wrong I was.

1. Steve Kean will keep his job
I'm not convinced that Venky's are even aware of when Blackburn are playing. Having stopped attending matches, and only speaking to the press to say they are happy with the status quo, expect manager Steve Kean to defiantly struggle on until May, fighting his way between 18th and 20th in the league, while every Blackburn fan shouts themself so hoarse they can no longer be heard.

2. QPR will be relegated
The club with all the money in the world just don't know how to buy well. Traore, Gabbidon and Bothroyd are not players who will rise to the big occasions come the end of the season, while the likes of Wigan have been here so often in previous years that finishing 17th feels like second nature. What's more, with Neil Warnock as manager, you can bet that clubs want to beat this lot more than most.

3. Torres will score 15
Nobody should be under the illusion that Fernando Torres isn't good. With no Drogba for the next six weeks, all of Chelsea's attacking play will be channeled through him, and the chances will come.

4. Real Madrid will win the league without beating Barca
Real's blistering start to the season, while Barca dropped points, could be all important. Despite losing to their arch-rivals in last month's Clasico, Madrid still have a healthy lead in La Liga, and don't have a habit of dropping points. A Barcelona win in the return fixture won't be enough, leaving Mourinho with another title win. Albeit a hollow one.

5. England will fail to qualify from their Euro 2012 group
With or without Rooney in the side, England is still a side that lacks real cohesion. Squad selections are questionable at best, and this summer will be no different. Starting with an attacking foursome of Downing, Lampard, Walcott and Andy Carroll, France and Sweden will both take points from us. Then things will culminate in defeat to hosts Ukraine and, almost inevitably, a Wayne Rooney red card.

6. A random will win the Europa league
Doubtless Man City and United will have their eyes on this frankly ridiculous competition as a way of showing they can cut it with Europe's finest. But despite their presence in the knock-out stages, along with a host of big names, the Europa league is not known for being won by the favourites. Rubin Kazan, PAOK Salonika and Steaua Bucharest, take note.

7. Robin van Persie will get injured
On current form, he is the best centre forward in the world. But this is a player that has completed his first full calendar year for the first time in his Arsenal career. Something has to give, and unfortunately for Arsenal, it is likely to be their star striker's hamstring.

8. West Ham will fail to win promotion
We have the ability to attract Premier league-quality players to Upton Park, and we may be currently bidding for all of our rivals' best players. But long ball is a horrible, predictable and un-inventive way to approach football, and lots of Championship teams are learning how to deal with it. A run of one win in five confirms this. Having now been leapfrogged in the automatic promotion places, the familiar air of under-achievement and frustration threatens to grip West Ham once again. Which is the way we liked it, thanks very much.

9. Mario Balotelli will save Italy
Italy havent had a proper centre forward for absolutely ages. The current crop is either remarkably inconsistent (Quagliarella), more suited to wide positions (Di Natale), or suffering from a heart defect (Cassano). Enter super Mario, a player that mixes the physicality of Didier Drogba with the swagger and excess of an 18th-century French monarch. When he plays, goals and wins follow. Expect to see him leading the line for his country at the Euros, and Italy to reach the semi finals or further.

10. John Terry will serve time in prison
Luis Suarez deserves his eight-game ban for racially insulting Patrice Evra, regardless of whether or not he understood the severity of what he was saying. John Terry knew the severity of what he was saying. He was also caught on camera saying it. Which is why he is being investigated by the police. England captain or no, this is a serious incident that needs to be dealt with by the FA. If Suarez is now the yardstick, John Terry will spend time (maybe not much time, but time at least) behind the bars. And it couldn't happen to a nicer fella.