text:
Les yeux du dragon (1925)
aka Eyes of the Dragon
Directed by Wlaydslaw Starewicz
No cast
What it is: Animated fantasy
A prince and princess in love seek a land of happiness, but a wicked Mandarin and a dragon stand in their way.
My copy of this short has all the title cards in French, but IMDB had a plot description that helped me through it. However, it appears there is a framing story that doesn't seem to be a part of my copy of it. However, that didn't really damage the viewing experience; the visual quality of the short is so sumptuous and the animation so enticing that this short is a joy to watch. Starewicz was a true master of animation, and this is one of his masterpieces.
The Yawner (1907)
aka Le bailleur
Directed by Segundo de Chomon
Cast unknown
What it is: catching
An incessant yawner goes about his daily business and infects everyone he meets with his ailment.
I guess I'm not really surprised that someone made a short movie about the contagiousness of yawning, and the silent era was just the time to address it. This short take on the subject does find some variety with the concept, and it lapses into the fantastic at one point when a pair of paintings come to life and start yawning as well. I would have consigned this fantastic content to the "humorous exaggeration" category hadn't it been for the fact that people overtly react to seeing the paintings come to life. At any rate, the short is slight, but mildly entertaining, just as I suspected it would be.
The Young Rajah (1923)
Directed by Phil Rosen
Featuring Rudolph Valentino, Wanda Hawley, Pat Moore
What it is: Exotic romance
In India, when a usurper takes over the throne, the young prince is rescued, given the gift of precognition, and is adopted by Americans. Once grown, he romances a woman, but the usurper discovers that the prince still lives, and wants him killed.
Of course it's an exotic romance; look at the lead actor. This movie was considered lost for many years, but the final three reels and a few fragments were unearthed, and a reconstruction of the film using stills to fill in the missing footage was put together; I'm sure the original film ran longer than the 52 minute version I saw. The precognition is the primary fantastic content, and much of it is peppered with Indian mysticism as well. The precognition is used to enhance one of the themes of the movie, which is destiny; the movie plays with the idea that our fates are not in our own hands. In its present form, it's moderately entertaining, but because it's at least partially a stills reconstruction, it does feel a bit distant. Those who are primarily interested in the exotic action of the story will have to wait a bit; most of the action is centered on the American romance.
Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters (1968)
aka Yokai hyaku monogatari
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda
Featuring Shinobu Araki, Jun Fujimaki, Ryutaro Gomi
What it is: Monster mayhem
A corrupt magistrate plans to tear down a shrine and some tenements to build a brothel, much to the anger of the residents of a village. However, when the magistrate refuses to take part in a curse eliminating ritual, he opens himself up to supernatural revenge…
This is the second of a loose trilogy of movies known as Yokai Monsters; I've already seen the last one, ALONG WITH GHOSTS. The title is a bit of a cheat; though it does have quite an assortment of monsters (most prominently a two-armed one-legged umbrella monster), I think it falls quite a ways short of a hundred. Even more to the point, the vast majority of the monsters only take part in a short melee scene and a final march sequence. In fact, most of the movie seems to be about the machinations of the magistrate which are intended to show just how corrupt and evil he is. When you get down to it, the main thrust of the plot is very ordinary, and though we get two ghost stories, a couple of attack sequences, a scene where the village idiot encounters the umbrella monster, and the aforementioned march, the movie seems somewhat short on monster action. So you can count me as being somewhat disappointed by this one; the monsters (when they show up) are weird and fun, and I'd just like to see a lot more of them and less of the humans. After all, with a title like this, the movie should be able to conjure up a new monster every minute or so.
Yolanda and the Thief (1945)
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Featuring Fred Astaire, Lucille Bremer, Frank Morgan
What it is: Musical
An American con man hiding out in a fictional South American country decides to swindle an heiress by pretending to be her guardian angel. But he doesn't reckon with love showing up…
Let's talk plot logic for a minute. You have a girl who is going to be the heiress of a large fortune and the head of the biggest business in the country. In preparation for this responsibility, she is raised in a convent away from the world for twelve years, and the only business advice she is given is to trust in her guardian angel. All I can say is that whoever came up with that plan fully deserves to have the fortune lost to the first con man that comes along.
I could go on in this vein, but let me just sum up now by saying that the story is silly, trite and unbelievable. Still, that's not necessarily a fatal problem; after all, this is a musical, and one of the specialties of the musical form is to take pieces of fluff like this and bring them to life. And I will say this about the movie; it certainly does that; in fact, it not only brings it to life, it jolts it with so much sugar and caffeine that the resulting rush is almost hallucinatory at times. This is one weird movie, especially during a dream sequence in which Fred Astaire has to deal with such things as being held prisoner by a gang of washerwomen, lighting the eight cigarettes of an eight-armed man, and watching a horseless horse race. This is one of those movies where I'm often enthralled and appalled at the same time; there are times where I'm blown away by the beautiful Technicolor spectacle of the costumes and the sets while being horrified at the way they're used in such excess. In a similar way, I find it hard to reconcile the way it juxtaposes incredibly naivete with strong sexual undercurrents, particularly during Yolanda's bath sequence. I can see why the movie was a box-office failure; it was probably too much for the audiences of the time. However, I am willing to bet that this one has a cult following of some sort.
As for the fantastic content, on top of having a mythical country of Patria where the action takes place, there's the whole plot involving the con man pretending to be a guardian angel. Given the type of movie it is, I'm not surprised ultimately that before it's all over, the heiress's real guardian angel shows up. Still, I might have classified it as a fantasy even without these elements; one of the first impressions I got from the visuals in the opening scenes is that wherever this movie took place, it was certainly nowhere in the real world.
For me, the movie has at least one huge flaw; it's a musical featuring Fred Astaire and you have to wait at least forty minutes before he does his first dance. That is a crime in itself.
Yo dormi con un fantasma (1949)
aka I Slept with a Ghost
Directed by Jaime Salvador
Featuring Adalberto Martinez, Maria Luisa Zea, Mercedes Gisbert
What it is: Mexican "old dark house" variation
An aspiring private detective attends the reading of a will in a spooky old mansion and stumbles upon a mystery.
Given that this movie is in unsubtitled Spanish, and that I was unable to find a decent plot description of the movie, I'm hardly in the position to give a truly insightful review of it, but I can give my impressions. It seems to be an "old dark house" movie of the sort that are vehicles for a comic actor (as in opposition to those ones in which the comic character is in a supporting position). The house has some spooky atmosphere, but the overt fantastic elements (the ghosts) seem to only exist in a flashback of the history of the house; I saw no overt ghosts (much less anyone sleeping with them) in the present-day footage. IMDB describes it as a comedy/horror/mystery. I can't comment on the mystery angle, but from what I can tell, the comedy is tepid and the horror extremely mild. Yes, this is one of those that doesn't look particularly inspired or promising, though I should point out that almost all of the humor seems to verbal rather than visual, so there's a chance I may be wrong. At any rate, I wasn't particularly impressed with what I saw here.
You'll Like My Mother (1972)
Posting Date: 4-22-2012
Directed by Lamont Johnson
Featuring Patty Duke, Rosemary Murphy, Richard Thomas
What it is: Thriller
A pregnant widow visits the home of her mother-in-law for the first time and gets a frosty reception. She decides to leave, but a blizzard strands her in the house, forcing her to stay. Then she begins to uncover some of the sinister secrets of the household…
I found this to be an enjoyable, tense and effective little thriller. One thing I like is that our heroine uses her brains; as she uncovers the family secrets, she's smart enough to know that if the others in the household knows that she knows, her life will be in great peril, and she tries her best to keep her knowledge a secret from them. The fact that she's pregnant ups the ante a little, especially considering that her baby is born while she's at the house, and both of their lives are at stake. It's also interesting to see Richard Thomas in a pre-WALTONS role; anyone who is only familiar with his work on that show will be surprised to see the scary psycho he plays here. There's also a real warmth here; you end up caring about the heroine, and the dim-witted family sister who she befriends. The story itself isn't particularly original, but it's handled well and quite effective.
Yokai Monsters: Along With Ghosts (1969)
aka Tokaido obaka dochu
Directed by Yoshiyuki Kuroda and Kimiyoshi Yasuda
Featuring Kojiro Hongo, Pepe Hozumi, Masami Burukido
What it is: Japanese ghost story
A gang of thugs ambushes a lord who carries an incriminating document; however, they kill the warlord on sacred ground, thus bringing a curse down on themselves. When the document escapes their grasp, it is seen in the possession of a young girl, who ends up under the protection of the samurai who followed the dead warlord. Between the samurai and the curse, the thugs have a difficult time of it…
This movie was apparently the third and last of a series called "Yokai monsters"; I've not seen the others, though I gather they had an assortment of monsters and ghosts that were pretty wild-looking. This is a fairly enjoyable Japanese ghost story; it's somewhat milder than some of the others I've seen, though it does have a certain amount of violence and blood. The score is a little obnoxious at times, particularly in the opening scenes, but the scenes with the ghosts and monsters are fun, there's a sequence involving magic dice that is quite effective, and it's fairly moving when the little girl finally meets her father. Kojiro Hongo (who plays the samurai here) is a familiar face; he was in several Gamera movies as well as one of the Majin movies. All in all, this one was an enjoyable experience.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Directed by Mel Brooks
Featuring Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman
What it is: Frankenstein parody
The grandson of Frankenstein, initially skeptical about his grandfather's experiments, comes into his inheritance, and, on discovery of his grandfather's private notes, decides to follow in his footsteps.
After seeing this movie, I became a major fan of Mel Brooks, but drifted away after his THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 1. What I eventually realized is that he was never quite able to really follow up on this one, his masterpiece. What really impresses me about it is that it nails the style; from the crisp black-and-white photography to the acting style to the score to the set design, it looks right out of one of the Universal Frankenstein movies from the thirties. The sense of authenticity makes the comedy much sharper, especially when the movie chooses to parody specific moments from the original movies (the brain stealing scene, the digging up of the body in the graveyard, the dart game, etc). The performances are universally excellent; the only reason no single actor steals the movie (though Marty Feldman comes close) is that all of them are fully capable of doing so. Favorite moments abound; I practically fell out of my chair the first time I encountered the "newly dead" head on the shelf, and I also love the game of charades, the performance of "Puttin' on the Ritz", the running jokes about Frau Blucher's name and Igor's shifting hump, anything involving Kenneth Mars's arm, and the name "Abby Normal". And then, of course, there's the monster's encounter with the blind hermit, a cameo by Gene Hackman; if the original version of the scene in BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN wasn't already indelible, I'd have trouble watching it without thinking of this parody version. One thing is sure; there were people in this production who loved the old Universal horror movies, and that shines through in every frame of this movie. It's one of the best horror parodies of all time.
Yog, Monster from Space (1970)
aka Gezora, Ganime, Kameba: Kessen! Nankia no daikaju
Directed by Ishiro Honda
Featuring Akiro Kubo, Atsuko Takahashi, Yukiko Kobayashi
What it is: More giant Japanese monsters
A space probe to Jupiter is hijacked by a strange light from space, and taken back to Earth. There, the light possesses animals, makes giants of them, and uses them to terrorize an island.
The cover of my VHS shows the giant octopus monster from the movie covering the whole earth while spaceships blast at it; you can see small versions of the other monster peering out from behind it. I think this may be similar to the ad I remembered in the newspaper from when I was a kid. Had I seen it back then, I would probably be disappointed that very little of the action takes place in outer space, but I would have liked the giant monsters nonetheless. I like the central idea, as it deals with an alien force that could have manifested itself as any number of giant monsters; had the movie been made earlier in Toho's history,it might have spawned a few sequels. I don't mind the monsters looking a bit silly, but I'm disappointed that the action is confined to the island, and the movie makes the mistake of putting its best monster (the octopus one) out of the action after the first half of the movie, leaving the less-impressive crab and turtle monsters to fill out the second half. Oddly enough, I don't recall anyone actually calling any of the monsters Yog.


text:
Q: matlab convn function GPU slower than CPU? I test the convn on two GPU: Quadro 6000 and Titan both take longer time than cpu.
A quick test can be done in matlab:
maxloop=1000;
for i=1:maxloop
   output2= convn(rand(320,1), rand([6,1,300]),'full');
end

for i=1:maxloop
    goutput2= convn(gpuArray.rand(320,1),gpuArray.rand([6,1,300]), 'full');
end

It takes, 0.52s on CPU, but 7s on Quadro 6000 and 15s+-  on Titan.
What I had tested:
1) If change the rand input to fixed, predefined values does not give any improvement.
2) Predefine GPU output(goutput2) doesn't help so much.
Quadro

Titan

I do run the same test as the first answer:
Matlab Convolution using gpu
Same result obtained when m=1000; n=100; k=5;
Elapsed time is 2.367453 seconds.     %%%%GPU
Elapsed time is 27.502952 seconds.    %%%%CPU
My question is what and why my own test code is running slower on GPU?

A: It looks like question Matlab Convolution using gpu at first glances. But after increase data size from [6,1,300] to [1000,1,1000], there is no improvement in the GPU loop. So it's not about "size" of data.
When I reshape data from [1000,1,1000] to  [1000,1000], GPU runs faster and CPU runs slower than previous test.  Code and timing are listed below:
clear all;

maxloop=1000;

r5=rand(5,1);
r1000=rand([1000,1,1000]); %3d array

for i=1:maxloop
   cpu_output1= convn(r5, r1000,'full');  %3d cpu array
end

r1000=reshape(r1000,[1000,1000]);
for i=1:maxloop
   cpu_output2= convn(r5, r1000,'full'); %2d cpu array
end

gr5=gpuArray.rand(5,1);
gr1000=gpuArray.rand([1000,1,1000]);

for i=1:maxloop
    gpu_output1= convn(gr5,gr1000, 'full'); %3d gpu array
end

gr3_1000=reshape(gr1000,[1000,1000]);
for i=1:maxloop
    gpu_output2= convn(gr5,gr3_1000, 'full'); %2d gpu array
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: 'HttpRequest' does not contain a defination for 'Browser' in nopcommerce 4.2 I am getting the title error. Here are the full error shows
'HttpRequest' does not contain a definition for 'Browser' and no accessible extension method 'Browser' accepting a first argument of type 'HttpRequest' could be found(are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)
Now, this error shows me when I write the code for check the site is working in computer or mobile.
I try to give the reference also for HTTPRequest but I didn't find in nuget package
Here is my controller code,
public ActionResult MobileBrowser()
{
    var browser = Request.Browser;
    System.Web.HttpBrowserCapabilitiesBase myBrowserCaps = browser;
    if (((System.Web.HttpBrowserCapabilitiesBase)myBrowserCaps).IsMobileDevice)
    {
        ViewBag.Message = "mob";
    }
    else
    {
        ViewBag.Message = "web";
    }
    return PartialView();
}

Now, I get the redline in var browser = Request.Browser;, System.Web.HttpBrowserCapabilitiesBase myBrowserCaps = browser; and if (((System.Web.HttpBrowserCapabilitiesBase)myBrowserCaps).IsMobileDevice)

A: In nopCommerce they are providing that site used in a mobile device or not using the below service
 /// <summary>
    /// Get a value indicating whether the request is made by mobile device
    /// </summary>
    /// <returns></returns>
    public virtual bool IsMobileDevice()
    {
        if (_httpContextAccessor?.HttpContext == null)
            return false;

        //we put required logic in try-catch block
        //more info: https://www.nopcommerce.com/boards/t/17711/unhandled-exception-request-is-not-available-in-this-context.aspx
        try
        {
            //we don't parse browscap library here
            //in 99% of cases it's enough to use the approach suggested by http://detectmobilebrowsers.com/

            var userAgent = _httpContextAccessor.HttpContext.Request.Headers[HeaderNames.UserAgent].ToString();
            var mobile = _firstMobileDeviceRegex.IsMatch(userAgent) || _secondMobileDeviceRegex.IsMatch(userAgent.Substring(0, 4));
            return mobile;
        }
        catch
        {
            // ignored
        }

        return false;
    }

Or instead of request browser, you can use this
var userAgent = _httpContextAccessor.HttpContext.Request.Headers[HeaderNames.UserAgent].ToString();

So this will sure helpful
Hope this will be helpful to you
Thank you

A: You can try this -

*

*Without Injection: Controller has Request object which is HttpRequest type it contains IHeaderDictionary type Header from where you will have browser information.

    public class UploadFileController : Controller
           {
                [HttpGet]
                public IActionResult Photo()
                {
                      var brows = Request.Headers["User-Agent"].ToString();

                      return View();
                }

                [HttpPost]
                public IActionResult Photo(UserViewModel userViewModel)
                {
                        if (ModelState.IsValid)
                        {
                        }
                     return View(userViewModel);
               }
          }

*IHttpContextAccessor Inject in controller:
You need to add singleton service of the type specified in Startup class, Configuration method  services.AddSingleton<IHttpContextAccessor, HttpContextAccessor>();. Now you are ready to inject in controller -

     public class UploadFileController : Controller
            {
                private readonly IHttpContextAccessor httpContextAccessor;
                public UploadFileController(IHttpContextAccessor  httpContext)
                {
                    this.httpContextAccessor = httpContext;
                }

                [HttpGet]
                public IActionResult Photo()
                {
                    var browser = httpContextAccessor.HttpContext.Request.Headers["User-Agent"].ToString();

                    return View();
                }

                [HttpPost]
                public IActionResult Photo(UserViewModel userViewModel)
                {
                    if (ModelState.IsValid)
                    {
                    }
                    return View(userViewModel);
                }
            }

*IHttpContextAccessor Inject in View: If you want have browser information in the view you need to add in Startup class, Configuration method services.AddSingleton<IHttpContextAccessor, HttpContextAccessor>(); and inject IHttpContextAccessor.

 @inject Microsoft.AspNetCore.Http.IHttpContextAccessor HttpContextAccessor

      @{
          ViewData["Title"] = "Upload Picture";

          var browser = HttpContextAccessor.HttpContext.Request.Headers["User-Agent"].ToString();
      }


See the entire collection on Brandon's Amazon.com author page.
A hotshot young attorney hopes to make a name for himself by being the first to put an android on trial for murder. Instead, he finds himself pulled ever deeper into an underworld of intelligent machines that no one knew existed, his life in danger at every turn. He is joined by a brawn-over-beauty private investigator whose unpredictable style seems likely to either crack the case or get them both killed.
Joyriding aliens, sea monsters, ogres, time travel, and zombies. It all collides in this collection of micro-stories that you can enjoy in a single sitting. Often funny, sometimes poignant, and sometimes downright chilling, the stories are a great way to spark your imagination.
Beer-chugging dragons, ghost stories gone wrong, haywire robots and a living stick figure. It's wilder than ever in the second volume of short stories from author Brandon Lee Little.


text:
❈ ✮ ♥ Find Comics Here ♥ ✮ ❈ (Creators Read 1st Post)
jjfresh 2015-01-24 06:50:06 UTC #47
tap_banner2.jpg1280x400 393 KB
Action, Psychological, Romance
Beautiful Lies is a story about a girl who is transported to a strange fantasy world.
As she, and several others, tries to find a way back home, she begins to question if she wants to leave at all...
ErithEl 2015-01-24 08:34:04 UTC #48
Burning Bright last updated: 18 January 2015
Burning Bright is a fantasy/drama/romance comic about two friends who are transported to another world where the inhabitants are animal-human hybrids and no one can be trusted.
Updates: Every Sunday.
skatuya 2015-01-24 17:13:24 UTC #49
Vicious Circle last updated: 22 January 2015
A priest-wanna-be and almost exorcist guy, a possessed girl, a pair of information dealers (from the occult kind), a medium, some ugly looking souls, angels from any kinds and a some demonic and supernatural happenings.
Updates: once a week
shayankhan01 2015-01-25 20:26:20 UTC #50
Hey!! here is my Dystopian Future manga: What Freedom?!!! please real all of it before judging!!!!
LINK!! http://tapastic.com/series/whatfreedom
HERE YOU GO!! ans here is the cover!!!
rainbowolfe 2015-01-26 17:22:12 UTC #51
Destiny Awaits Last Updated: 22 January, 2014
Ever since the Great War, things have never been the same. Tension on all sides, mass death and destruction, and a shortage in dairy products;And the ones who can save it all... want nothing to do with it. (Updates Weekly)
Eligor191 2015-02-12 10:03:43 UTC #53
ink commission23.jpg1200x1261 348 KB
Saru is a demi-god. Who wants to be an Elite Hunter so he can fight the Acolytes and stopping them from freeing Chaos.
Acolyte Hunters
KreativeConfusion 2015-03-09 17:13:26 UTC #54
Tipping Point last updated: 8,March, 2015
Lauren is the one of the latest agents to join the agency simply known as Center. With powers she never knew she had, she is suppose to help them spread their good word and aid them, however things are not as simple as they seem.
Updated ever sunday!
VermillionWorks 2015-03-28 00:21:14 UTC #55
DANIEL - last updated March 24th 2015
A horror tale about an unfortunate man turned vampire.
Updates: Weekly (usually Tuesdays)
Wolven_Sister 2015-04-16 22:18:02 UTC #56
Between the Realms
Romance/Fantasy
A series about a woman reluctantly being whisked away to a parallel dimension, facing near-death encounters, confronting fears, uncovering secrets long buried in blood, and discovering what it means to make the ultimate sacrifice.
A_L_777 2015-04-16 23:59:23 UTC #57
ILLDUST last updated: 4-16-15
This is a new shonen style manga about a kid named Rain getting into lots of trouble with magic.
Updates: Yea
teksu 2015-04-17 09:00:07 UTC #58
ANNE - last update April 14th 2015
Romance - Rate: R
Anne is stubborn and unsocial. She lives a quiet life at home, where she works as illustrator. This kind of life gets complicated after a schoolfriends reunion...
Updates: Chapter weekly (or 2 weeks)
AnnaLandin 2015-04-17 09:46:36 UTC #59
Grassblades Updates Mondays and Fridays
Grassblades is the story of grumpy wandering swordsman Masahiro and the little girl he accidentally saves. His is a story about journeys, about vengeance, redemption, and all the small things that we can't seem to leave behind.
Updates: Twice a week, mon/fri
magmi 2015-04-17 11:16:03 UTC #60
Dragnarok last updated: 14 April 2015
Dragnarok is a fantasy story set in Aradel, the world where humans and dragons used to live together in peace and harmony.
Updates: every 10-14 days
raymundnell 2015-04-17 12:34:34 UTC #61
No One Else Knows last updated: 17 April 2015
No One Else Knows is a collection of very short clichéd and sometimes rare drama stories... SITUATIONS rather, that only the protagonists know. Updates: Biweekly
goenn 2015-04-17 13:22:02 UTC #62
HERO.SYN last updated: April 15 2015
HERO.SYN is a scifi story, about a young boy who wakes up in another world with no idea as to how he arrived. He is forced to work with a criminal syndicate and has to deal with shady inhabitants and the cruel military police.
Updates: every Wednesday and Thursday
GFalconDX 2015-07-28 17:00:39 UTC #64
The Chronicles of SolLuna: Usually updates every 7 to 11 days. Last update: July 14. On Temporary break due to convention prep.
The Chronicles of SolLuna is about a cleric in a world powered by steam and magic is thrown into a conspiracy when he thwarts an assassination attempt. And what he will uncover may destroy everything he holds dear.
qcbl 2015-07-29 04:56:18 UTC #65
Gael Force last updated: 27, july, 2015
Gael Force is the story of a team of student superheroes from Queen's University who protect their campus from all manner of threats.. Updates: Whenever
Jrej 2015-07-29 11:13:59 UTC #66
Shade Of Men - Updates weekly - Full color
The story follows three homeless people living in the streets of Paris as they are faced with trouble from their past...
Blacksanz 2015-07-29 12:06:12 UTC #67
The Ninth Circle last updated: 28 of July, 2015
TNC is a fantasy webcomic which tells the story of a group of humans trying to resist a war against Kalma, or hell in other words. Updates: Weekly
ScampiCub 2015-07-29 16:53:20 UTC #68
West is a story of a man for whom one small task changes the course of his life forever. After witnessing tragedy he cannot ignore, Jed, a Soul Hunter, is forced to learn patience, acceptance, forgiveness and love in his pursuit of peace between two worlds; the realm of the living and the land of the dead.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Empowersport
Indepth reporting.
Football – In Tact as Ever (Part Two)
Posted by empowersport
By Traolach Kaye © Traolach Kaye (March 19th 2015)
The BBC's Dan Roan alludes to how offended the Premier League will be by all these shenanigans to host the World Cup in the winter in Qatar to avoid the searing heat of an Arabic summer. That is most odd. English football is all about the Premier League. Clubs are either in the Premier League or aspire to be in it.
Those seeking to give the lie to this will claim that the Championship play-off final is the ʻrichest game in football' … by dint, oddly enough, of the winner being ushered into the Premier League. Should football fans, globally, take umbrage at how the machinations of the Premier League, itself – something of a tyrants' charter – have been upset and knocked marginally out of kilter by the decision to host the 2022 World Cup during the Winter months?
Roan's assertion that the FA might be upset as it may interrupt some ceremonially flavoured FA Cup programme – 2022 is the centenary of the Final at Wembley Stadium – is laughable. This presentation of the FA Cup as some Holy of Holies sits uncomfortably with how the event has been policed and how its attendees have been treated – Hillsborough, for example.
It sits uncomfortably with how managers and players treat it. It sits uncomfortably with the stark reality of attendances at FA Cup games with certain clubs, at even advanced stages of the Cup. If it is important, why is it being treated as an after-thought, especially by the big clubs and the prize of qualification for the Europa League being seen as a unwanted burden, even though for some clubs, it is the only possibility of Champions League football.
Take Hull City for example. A lacklustre approach to it saw them dumped out without even reaching the League stage. This in the year that the winner of the Europa League gets into the Champions' League. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool dropped out in the last 32. Only Everton still fly the flag.
Disproportionate Effects?
If Roan is so concerned that the effect of hosting WC 2022 in the Winter Months will have a disproportionately negative effect on the ʻSmaller Clubs', he would do well to look at how the same ʻSmaller Clubs' themselves treat the FA Cup, and how the FA Cup treats them. Name the last non-top flight Club to win the FA Cup?
Southampton, 1976. The last 10 winners are Arsenal, Wigan, Chelsea, Manchester City, Chelsea, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal. Who owns those clubs? Portsmouth at the time of their winning the FA Cup in 2008 were owned by Alexander Gaydamak. He had bought the club from Milan Mandarić who was subsequently charged with tax-evasion.
Gaydamak then sold the club to Sulaiman al-Fahim who had acted as spokesperson for Mansour al-Nahyan and smoothed al-Nahyan's takeover of Manchester City. Al-Fahim in turn sold the club six weeks later to Ali al-Faraj, a supposed Saudi oil tycoon. Portsmouth went to rack and ruin and who paid the price? The loyal supporters who were the backbone of the club and who ultimately saved the historic club.
By 2013, Portsmouth FC had finally returned to the ownership of the fans themselves, with the club having been bankrupted, relegated three times and almost forced out of existence in the intervening period. But we must keep an eye out for FIFA, it seems.
Fit and Proper
Anybody can own an English football club. They are for sale every day of the week on whatever index you choose to consult. They are open to bids from everyone, irrespective of their morals, their achievements, their politics, their ethics, or the pedigree of their finances. They are not even the Harrods of their time, for which a purchase price AND favour had to be first agreed. Who buys these clubs?
The best known example is everyone's favourite ʻBillionaire from Nowhere', Roman Abramovich – a long-time associate of Vladimir Putin. Abramovich rose from nothing to dominate the Russian aluminium and gas sector, after being the understudy of Boris Beresovsky who was subsequently found dead at home in March 2013 soon after a protracted legal battle with Abramovich ended badly for Beresovsky.
Other noted humanists such as Thaksin Shinawatra, Tom Hicks, George Gillette, Mike Ashley, Vincent Tan, Venkatesh Rao, the al-Mubaraks, Alisher Usmanov and the aforementioned al-Fahims, Gaydamaks, al-Farajs, Mandarićs, etc. either own outright, have owned outright, possess, or have had strong financial interests in various English clubs.
Chicken factories. Bangladeshi sweatshops. Human rights abusers. Leveraged buyout merchants. Corporate raiders. Oligarchs. Oil tycoons. Silicon valley entrepreneurs. Eastern-Bloc businessmen. But look out for FIFA.
Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United has used his position to try take advantage of the collapse of Glasgow Rangers such that Rangers was in danger of becoming a satellite club of Newcastle United. But look out for FIFA.
Universal Problem
This is not alone an English problem. Perspective is loaned to the matter when one considers that Real Madrid have agreed a £350m deal with a construction company owned by a member of the family that owns Manchester City. These clubs are supposedly in competition. They are instead each other's keepers. This is supposedly the football that we should be worried will be ʻtorn apart' by a tournament being hosted in the Winter months – a tournament 7 years now.
No self-respecting journalist capable of even the slightest abstract thought could possibly find themselves offended uniquely by FIFA's alleged corruption juxtaposed as it is against the backdrop painted above. A brief examination of those invited to do business in England, and fêted for doing same, says a lot about this.
England held its nose and took its reluctant place at the trough in the run up to the decision to award the World Cups for 2018 and 2022 respectively. Had England walked away early-doors and refused to have anything to do with the selection process, then we might have avoided the entire saga. Instead, the tit-for-tat will continue, presumably up and until such a stage as England is awarded a World Cup to host.
And let's remember that three-times beaten finalists the Netherlands have never hosted the World Cup, let alone suffered a long delay waiting for it to return. Isn't it their turn first?
Tagged Alexander Gaydamak, Ali al-Faraj, Alisher Usmanov, Arsenal, Chelsea, Dan Roan, England, Everton, FIFA, Hull City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Mansour al-Nahyan, Mike Ashley, Milan Mandarić, Newscastle United, Portsmouth FC, Qatar, Rangers, Real Madrid, Roman Abramovich, Sulaiman al-Fahim, the Champion's League, the Eupropa League, the FA, the FA Cup, the Netherlands, the Premier League, the World Cup, Tottenham Hotspur, Venkatesh Rao, Vladimir Putin, Wembley, Wigan
Football – In Tact as Ever (Part One)
by Traolach Kaye © Traolach Kaye (March 4th 2015)
"Qatar 2022: World Cup fall-out could tear football apart …" – Dan Roan BBC Sports-editor
"If they don't believe it, why are they saying it, if they do believe it, they shouldn't be soccer analysts, so one way or another, they are wrong. Sometimes when you see these clowns…..well, then, you would have to wonder not about my sanity, but the BBC's sanity …"
The latter quote was made by the Former Manchester United and Milwall player, Eamon Dunphy, reflecting on BBC Match-of-The-Day Pundits during the 2006/2007 Premier League Season. So where does this leave us?
We've been here before. Either the BBC don't believe what they are broadcasting or publishing, or they have gone mad. If they do believe it, they aren't fit for purpose, that purpose being to follow their mission, ʻTo enrich people's lives with programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain'.
So, what is the BBC saying? In perfect keeping with the tone of their attack which commenced with gusto on December 2nd 2010, the BBC continue to react to every utterance by and announcement of FIFA with a contrary response which both finds fault with whatever pronouncement FIFA has offered whilst seeking to always remind the viewer/reader that FIFA is corrupt, is upsetting football, is racist, is out of touch, hates women, and is just generally no good.
The New Mission
The BBC is no opinion-piece merchant. Funded by the taxpayer, and with an explicit mission to ʻenrich, entertain and educate', they appear capable only of one of above trifecta, namely entertainment.
Entertaining their own opinion, entertaining the opinion of conventional wisdom, entertaining the opinion of whatever agenda must be pushed, foisted and promoted until the target audience is left in no two minds about how things are and how things must be. Regarding FIFA, they operate a one-size-fits-all policy, employing key words in their riposte, irrespective of what it is that FIFA may have said.
Roan doesn't run the BBC, and is merely an agent of same. He is however the sports-editor of the BBC News. Fresh from goading, rather than entertaining, informing or educating Liverpool fans during the protracted takeover of the club by Fenway Sports Group (then a Sports Correspondent) Roan now today finds himself charged with spearheading BBC's latest thrust against that perennial threat to Global Peace and Harmony – FIFA.
Knock, Knock, Knocking
The door of FIFA has been kicked, yet the rest of the rotten structure seems not at all close to crashing down. FIFA, the masters of largesse, have pushed out the boat in many quarters, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, South Africa and now Russia and Qatar. This largesse has made them very popular, especially in Asia and Africa.
It is no surprise that these are confederations that have many votes, which comes in handy at election time. Carry Asia and Africa and simple arithmetic tells the result – a lesson some have not grasped. Sepp Blatter certainly understood it.
FIFA's major product – the World Cup – is something nations compete with each other to host. Football is increasingly popular and is the dominant global sport. England wanted to host the 2018 World Cup and failed to get enough votes. The results were a national embarrassment. It was not a bad bid, but it was out of step with FIFA's intentions and also those of individual federations.
Ever since, we have been treated to a monologue on the ills of FIFA. We are now expected to believe that Football itself is on the very verge of destruction because FIFA has decided to host the 2022 World Cup during the ʻWinter' of that year.
What is Football?
Football? Torn Apart? What is football? What does somebody mean when they say ʻFootball'. Do they mean the ball itself? Football, the game or sport? Football, the TV slot? Football, the Industry?
When Roan and the BBC opine that ʻFootball could be torn apart', they think, or more accurately want us to think, that they are talking about football in the Global, organized grass-roots sense of the word.
Football associations, football clubs, jumpers-for-goalposts, Football tournaments, the very fabric of football itself, the very essence of the game, is at risk. Uncle Sepp is going to get us all. In fact, the BBC are are referring, perhaps blithely, to their own narrow, oblique view of what football is and what football is about. Football the business, football….our business. Our game. The game we gave the World. This thing of ours.
Outraged?
It is no great leap to suggest that their contrived outrage stems from a sense of loss, a sense of exclusion, that they are no longer running the show and are merely instead a bit part of an organization that pays them no heed.
Third-party private organizations are entitled to organize their events as they see fit. It is up to other parties how they respond to this. Jérôme Valcke, FIFA's General Secretary, has told people to "Get on with it". BBC pundits Danny Mills and Phil Neville agree with Valcke, but Roan has responded by kicking and screaming. He could do worse than consider the sentiments of the aforementioned home-grown pundits and others who have asked candidly, "What's the problem"?
The problem is that certain people have a bee in their bonnet about FIFA and rather than express it, they prefer to engage in tangential oblique nonsense. Mr Roan wants the reader to consider how the Winter World Cup imposes on the ʻCherished Festive Fixture Programme'. It is lovely alliteration. It is also terrible reason. This ʻFestive Fixture Programme' is not in fact a programme as much as it is semi-organized chaos, itself the subject of no small perennial, year-round criticism by domestic parties, It is bemoaned and criticized by players and managers alike, all year, every year. It is not liked. It is due for reform.
Hedged Bets
The author has hedged his bets. Perhaps aware that the ʻfestive disruption' claim was as tenuous as it was false, Roan claims that "More international friendlies are almost certain to be sacrificed." But International Friendlies are themselves the bane of the very Premier League whose best interests Mr Roan says are being interfered with.
However, we know how important some of these international friendlies can be. Consider one in particular. England tried to do business with Jack Warner by travelling to Trinidad & Tobago for a nothing friendly in 2008 in order to court Warner into providing support in CONCACAF to vote for England to host the World Cup of 2018. It was a fiasco as extracts of Michael Garcia's report on corruption in FIFA show. FIFA gleefully released those extracts, which suggested that Warner et al received a quid pro quo from that ill-advised friendly.
After this match Warner was exposed as corrupt and quit FIFA, exposing some of his dealings with the very dubious former head of the USA's federation, Chuck Blazer. Warner has a history – he was caught selling his complimentary tickets for the 2006 World Cup. He paid it back and it was business as usual until Blazer, once Warner's protégé, decided that his apprenticeship had lasted long enough and tried to oust Warner.
It is conveniently forgotten that the fall of Qatari football executive and once cheer-leader of Blatter's 1998 bid for the Presidency of FIFA, Mohamed bin Hammam, was originally expelled from FIFA due to his attempt to ʻbuy' Warner's influence for his own Presidential bid – exposed by Blazer. The American is no whistle-blowing anti-corruption pioneer. Blazer was neck-high in Warner's shenanigans. But Warner was targeted by England to help their World Cup bid. Does this not question their anti-corruption credentials?
England now wants to talk about corruption, but what was the football reason for the 2008 fixture in the Caribbean? What did then England manager Fabio Capello gain or learn from it? Did Capello request that particular opponent and if so why? For FIFA, attack became the best form of defence – given an open goal by the FA.
Perhaps England would do well to hold her tongue. but they try to berate FIFA's corruption. The BBC was at least consistent. Andrew Jennings has highlighted FIFA's corruption issues long before it became fashionable to do so. The FA complained that the BBC's Panorama programme's exposé of corruption in FIFA on the eve of the vote impacted negatively on England's doomed bid.
A cursory examination of recent events lends no small credence to the opinion that England should keep its counsel. England had hoped to host the 2018 World Cup which instead went to Russia – worse still the Russia of Putins, Abramovichs, Usmanovs and Berezovsksy, etc.
England was shocked – outraged even. They had after all run a ʻgreat campaign', part of which had been courting the influence of Jack Warner. Their bid had been officially presented by Prince William, nephew of Prince Andrew, the former trade envoy who told the Serious Fraud Office to keep out of the British Aerospace deal with Saudi Arabia. Glass houses?
Tagged Africa, Andrew Jennings, Asia, BBC, Chuck Blazer, CONCACAF, Dan Roan, Danny Mills, Eamon Dunphy, England, Fabio Capello, FIFA, Jack Warner, Jérôme Valcke, Michael Garcia, Mohamed bin Hammam, Phil Neville, Prince Andrew, Prince William, Qatar, Qatar 2022, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sepp Blatter, South Africa, South Korea, the Serious Fraud Office, the World Cup, Trinidad and Tobago
by Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (February 21st 2015)
Carlos Velasco Carballo rapidly established himself as Spain's top referee since deciding to concentrate on officiating in 2010. He had built up a reputation as a firm but fair referee – one who managed to combine a disciplinarian streak with letting the game flow. This was quite an achievement. It was not unusual for there to be several yellow cards and the odd red card too.
Armed with the appropriate FIFA badge, Velasco Carballo refereed his first international in 2008. His first season refereeing past qualifiers for the Champion's League coincided with a meteoric rise. In that season he was awarded the 2011 Europa League Final in Dublin. Radamel Falcao García Zárate – then playing for Porto – set a Europa League (UEFA Cup) record for goals scored in the competition.
It was a niggly match settled by a solitary goal scored by Falcao and liberally peppered by fouls and cards. 42 fouls resulted in eight yellow cards. This was a typical Velasco Carballo performance. The following season, he continued where he left off. Velasco Carballo refereed 19 Primera División matches and brandished 16 red cards.
He was Spain's representative at Euro2012 ahead of the more experienced Alberto Undiano Mallenco. He refereed the opening match in Poland against Greece. Sokratis Papasthapoulos was controversially sent off, having received two unfortunate yellow cards.
Velasco Carballo's stock plummeted at the World Cup in the wretched quarter-final between Brasil and Colombia. Some say the occasion got to him, but that does not explain his performance. It wasn't just the record tally of fouls – 54 – some of which were appalling. Flagrant encroachment at a free-kick was not only unpunished, but rewarded. It was a performance that defied explanation.
He permitted over 40 offences before brandishing a yellow card in that match in Fortaleza and the first was for a comparatively trivial offence compared to what had gone before and later. FIFA insists that there was no directive to referees to show leniency when it came to showing cards and refused to criticise Velasco Carballo's performance in Fortaleza.
Diego Maradona and Falcao were scathing in their criticism, but they weren't to know that Velasco Carballo had officiated against type. It remained to be seen how the Spaniard would perform post Fortaleza. If FIFA was correct and there was no directive then Velasco Carballo must have chosen to abandon his previous style and referee in an alien fashion, which he would no doubt stick to.
His reputation had taken a mauling during the World Cup. But the signs were there after the World Cup that Velasco Carballo had refereed that match in an alien manner. Last December he refereed Eibar versus Valencia. There were 21 fouls, but 10 yellow cards, four in the last ten minutes. His first match of the new year took place on January 3rd between Sevilla and Celta de Vigo. There were 45 fouls. Velasco Carballo showed nine yellow cards and one red.
It was nowhere near as dirty a match as that infamous quarter-final. A league match between Real Sociedad and Villarreal last month had 24 fouls. He brandished ten yellow cards and a red card too. Just over a month ago he refereed a local encounter Levante versus Elche. Velasco Carballo showed a red card to David Navarro after just 6 minutes. He also showed six yellow cards. There were 26 fouls in the match. Clearly, this was not a referee who would not use his cards if the offence warranted it in Spain. What about in European competition?
He officiated the match between Schalke04 and Maribor in September. There were 24 fouls and five yellow cards were shown, all in the second half. He refereed FCK versus Bayer Leverkusen last August. Each side committed 12 fouls. He showed six yellow cards. Anderlecht's home defeat by Arsenal resulted in just three yellow cards with 27 fouls. Ajax beat the Cypriots APOEL comfortably at home in December. The 4-0 drubbing had 16 fouls, 8 each. Two Cypriot players were the only ones booked. It was hardly a dirty match deserving a flurry of cards.
His latest international after the World Cup was a Euro2016 qualifier between Iceland and the Netherlands. Iceland won 2-0. There were 23 fouls and only one booking – Nigel de Jong in the last ten minutes. But all of these statistics don't necessarily tell the whole story – not all fouls deserve cards. I have seen only two of his matches since the World Cup – Sevilla versus Celta de Vigo and last Thursday's Europa League tie at White Hart Lane. His performances were true to form. Fortaleza was an aberration.
Fans of los Cafeteros present at White Hart Lane would be forgiven a double take or two at his performance on Thursday night. It was the same referee who lost control of the quarter-final between Brasil and Colombia. There was never any danger of a repeat dose tonight as long as there were no ludicrous directives. It soon became clear that there were not.
Just three minutes into the match those familiar with the style and performances of Madrid-based referee Carlos Velasco Carballo – remember him – saw a familiar sight. The real Velasco Carballo jogging over to Spurs' right wing with intent. Gonzalo Rodríguez brought down Andros Townsend. It was a bad foul that deserved a booking and got one.
Velasco Carballo had made it clear where his line was and the match quickly settled down. There was no danger that this would degenerate into foul fare. The referee was in control. The whole match had 24 fouls and just three yellow cards. The referee's authority was never in doubt and it flowed. There was no need for more cards. This is the real Carlos Velasco Carballo.
Tagged Alberto Undiano Mallenco, Anderlecht, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Brasil, Carlos Velasco Carballo, Celta de Vigo, Colombia, David Navarro, Diego Maradona, Dublin, Eibar, Elche, Falcao, FCK, FIFA, Fortaleza, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Iceland, Levante, los Cafeteros, Nigel de Jong, Porto, Primera División, Radamel Falcao García Zárate, Real Sociedad, referee, Sevilla, Sokratis Papasthapoulos, Spain, the Champion's League, the Europa League, the Netherlands, the World Cup, Tottenham Hotspur, València, Velasco Carballo, Villarreal, White Hart Lane
by Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (February 19th 2015)
Sepp Blatter's Final Act
Which is the most powerful office in the world? The office of the President of the United States. Wrong. The most powerful office in the world is the office of the President of FIFA. Right. Why? Because football is the most popular sport in the world and money – vast amounts of it – talks.
The FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2015 FIFA Presidential election again despite his assurances that last time would be his swansong.
The only reason Blatter would disregard the consequences of setting aside his public declaration made on the eve of the last elections that he would not run for the office again, and dare to seek the office one more time is because he is confident he will win it. The early declared competitor Jérôme Champagne – eased or forced out FIFA five years ago has fallen by the wayside.
UEFA have grumbled put its President Michel Platini refused to mount a challenge. David Ginola was never a credible challenger, so Blater's confidence was not misplaced. It is simply the reality of the situation on ground. However, new contenders emerged. The first to declare was Jordanian Executive Committee member Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, followed by the President of the Dutch Federation Michael van Praag. Portuguese legend Luis Figo joined the race late, but has credibility. Blatter however remains confident. He knows that he has big support in Asian and African federations.
Blatter knows that he will win not because the rest of the world loves him so dearly, or considers him indispensable, but because he seats atop the most powerful office on planet earth and will use the awesome power of that office (which he understands very well) and of his incumbency to check-mate all other contenders. Remember how he saw off the challenge of Mohammed bin Hammam. Where is the Qatari now?
Americans don't talk about Chuck Blazer now, but that wasn't always the case. Blazer brought down bin Hammam and with him former CONCACAF leader Jack Warner – all of which suited Blatter. Bin Hammam was disgraced and thrown out of FIFA. He won that appeal after the damage was done and was brought down on new charges. Blazer faced his own troubles as Warner got even with his former protégé. Warner had to go as well. Not even the corruption charges laid against FIFA could shift Blatter. Even the report of Michael Garcia was so purged that the author disowned it! Not even that had any effect on Blatter.
He had served his apprenticeship and inherited the crown – he will not abdicate – even if his predecessor João Havelange had to sever his ties to FIFA after being implicated in a bribery scandal. He escaped prosecution partly due to his age. The former head of the Brazilian Federation Ricardo Teixeira was forced out after investigations in Brazil proved sufficient for criminal charges to be laid – a huge story that somehow vanished with barely a whimper.
Blatter's Argentinian ally Julio Grondona died soon after the World Cup. The corrupt former head of CONMEBOL Nicolás Leoz resigned ostensibly on health grounds. He too was named in corruption inquiries. One by one allies fell, but Blatter emerged unscathed. Even knowing of Havelange's dubious activities made little difference.
The product of such thinking is that even in the face of global rejection of fascism and totalitarianism as an acceptable system of governance, the world can do nothing about FIFA. President Blatter, at almost 80 years of age, four times already as President, knows that under normal 'temperature and pressure' he should not be seeking another term in office.
Yet, but for the few 'pretenders' that have joined rather grudgingly the race, the world would be looking on hopelessly and helplessly, frustrated by the rules of engagement crafted in FIFA through the decades.
FIFA which holds football in trust for the entire world should be promoting best global practices in the promotion of global peace, friendship, equity, democracy, integrity, fair play and transparency. But here we are with a powerful office that bestows upon its occupier the perks and powers reminiscent of the darkest days of dictatorships in the world.
A Tarnished Legacy
It was not always so with Blatter. Given that Blatter has surely done a great deal more than any human alive for football in his four decades long romance with football, he should be the champion of the deepening of the tradition of true democratic practice that ensures that no office in the world today should have an unlimited term. FIFA runs a no-term limit for the office of its President. That should go.
Even the Presidency of the most powerful nation on earth, for good reason through past experiences, has a two-term limit. Anything longer than two terms in any office will breed dictatorship. The situation in FIFA has become a canker-worm trickling downwards through all levels of global football administration.
Local Football Councils, State and National Football Associations and Federations, and even the Confederations are taking a cue from the practice in FIFA, and self-perpetuation in office now has become the norm and dominates the administrative football landscape. Take CAF for example.
Trickle-down
Issa Hayatou has been President for almost 30 years. The rules have been changed several times through the decades to accommodate his self-succession plots. The last one was a rule that only members of the Executive Committee could contest for the CAF presidency. These are all members loyal to him because he helped them all to get there.
As his present tenure draws to an end, there are reports of moves already seeking another term in office for him, even though the present constitution of CAF forbids anyone above the age of 70 from holding the office. Hayatou is now 68. Using the awesome power of the President, the goal-posts are to be shifted and the age limit restriction will be removed to enable him to contest again, despite even his poor health.
At National Federations level, from country to country, particularly in the Third World, attempts at self-perpetuation in office have become photocopies of the FIFA model. That's why there is crisis when election times come. This practice must be stopped. For now, only Sepp Blatter can do it.
The statutes of FIFA and all its Confederations and Federations must be amended before he leaves office, so that a two-term limit for the Presidency of FIFA, as well as all its affiliate Federation and Confederation members, is introduced. This should be the Sepp Blatter's final act and the legacy that he bequeaths to football and the world.
Sepp Blatter and Issa Hayatou exchange pennants.
Tagged CAF, Chuck Blazer, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, FIFA, Issa Hayatou, Jack Warner, Jérôme Champagne, João Havelange, Josephh Sepp Blatter, Julio Grondona, Luis Figo, Michael Garcia, Michael Platini, Michael van Praag, Michel Platini, Mohammed bin Hammam, Nicolás Leoz, President of FIFA, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Ricardo Teixeira
The Final Chapter
by Segun Odegbami © Segun Odegbami (February 15th 2015)
Afcon 2015 – New African Champions
After an exciting three weeks of pulsating but technically mediocre festival of football in Equatorial Guinea, the Elephants of la Côte d'Ivoire have become the new Champions of African football. They took the coveted trophy that was relinquished, rather humiliatingly, by Nigeria. The Super Eagles had exited at the qualifying stage of the championship.
It may have taken well over 20 years for their trophy drought to end, but when it finally did the whole of Côte d'Ivoire exploded in an orgy of celebration as the government declared a national public holiday and lavishly rewarded the gallant heroes with houses and cash gifts. It was a far cry from the disgraceful treatment Ivorian players received from former dictator Robert Guéï after a poor performance in Afcon 2000.
The final match against Ghana's Black Stars created razor-sharp pressure for both teams. Tactically, they cancelled each other out for 120 minutes and the match had to be settled by penalty kicks – again. That match marked the third time the Elephants played in the final of the Nations Cup and did not score a goal. It also marked the third time a final involving the Ivorians had gone to penalties.
The recourse to penalty kicks against these opponents historically favoured the Ivorians. In 1992 they won the championship for the first time against Ghana after a marathon penalty shoot-out that ended 11-10. They had tasted defeat in a penalty shoot-out too when Egypt won the first of their unprecedented three consecutive titles in 2006.
Two Sunday night's ago the elements were on the side of Côte d'Ivoire once again, as 'lightning struck twice on the same spot'.
Ghana were left stranded on the banks of misfortune as they threw away an early two-goal lead, due to nerves, and lost 8-9 in the end, continuing a trophy drought that has lasted 33 years. The Black Stars have lost their last three finals, twice on penalties to the Ivorians and once to Egypt in 2010
Apart from the penalty shoot-out the final match was tension-soaked but technically ordinary and boring – a true reflection of the entire championship.
The Special Generation
Winning the championship was momentous for Côte d'Ivoire as it marked the end of an era for several of their ageing generation of players, some of whom have been among the best footballers in the history of African football. Between them, Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré have won the African player of the year award 7 times. Add to that other great players playing at a high level in Europe, including Kolo Touré, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho, and so on.
It is unfortunate that Drogba chose to retire from international football on the eve of the championship. The victory would have capped a very illustrious and unprecedented career that had only the African Cup of Nations title as the missing trophy in his rich chest.
Scant Consolation
Overall, Ghana looked the slightly better and more organised team, even though Côte d'Ivoire were unbeaten did not lose any of their matches throughout the championship. However, the Ghanaians were the more entertaining team during the tournament. Consequently, it is not surprising that the player of the tournament came from the Ghanaian team.
Christian Atsu, currently on loan from Chelsea to Everton got more opportunities under Avram Grant than he has from José Mourinho or Roberto Martínez in England. The fleet, left-footed player operated from the right side of the Ghanaian attack, scoring two of Ghana's three goals in the quarter-finals and constantly terrorised the Ivorian defence during the final. He deserved the award. He was a bright star in a very grey constellation.
Finally, the Championship will be remembered not for memorable matches but for other reasons: how the championship ended up in a country that did not even qualify for the championship and was under suspension by CAF; how the terraces were empty during most of the matches except those involving the host country; how Morocco were suspended (and rejected the suspension) for two tournaments for refusing to host the event due to genuine health fears; how Tunisia were suspended for failing to apologise for accusing CAF of bias and complicity when they were openly 'robbed' by a referee who only got a slap-on-the-wrist six-month suspension, for his shameful handling of the match in question; how supporters of the host country threw decorum to the dogs and unleashed mayhem on players and supporters of an opposing team with the shameful scenes watched on television all over the world; how both CAF and FIFA Presidents condemned the Western media for 'exaggerating' reports of the incidents that smeared the organization of the championship because they needed to make more friends than enemies amongst national federations with their elections coming, and so on.
At the end of Afcon 2015, the championship simply could not produce or showcase the best version of African football as well as authentic new stars to illuminate African football into the immediate future. Let's hope that Afcon 2017 will supply both. The country that will host that tournament will be decided by CAF in April, following the withdrawal of Libya as hosts due to security concerns.
Next Time the Fire-power
Four countries that expressed an interest met CAF's conditions to host the tournament. Beaten finalists Ghana last hosted in 2008. They also hosted and won the tournament twice previously. The first time was in 1963 – the first appearance of the Black Stars in the tournament. That was the first of three triumphs under the legendary African coach Charles Kumi Gyamfi. Only Egypt's Hassan Shehata has matched him, although Hervé Renard has made history already and has power to add.
The next time Ghana hosted and won was in 1978, the only victory of the Black Stars not under Gyamfi's supervision. Fred Osam Duodu was the successful coach. The most successful team in African history, the Pharaohs have won the trophy seven times. Egypt's last success – qualification too – was in 2010. They hosted and won in 2006.
Their fierce rivals the Desert Foxes of Algeria have only one title to their name. They hosted and won in 1990. That leaves Gabon. They have never won the trophy. Their best achievement was reaching the quarter-final twice, in 1996 when they went out on penalties to beaten finalists Tunisia and when they co-hosted in 2012. Gabon has never hosted in their own right.
Tagged Afcon2015, Algeria, Avram Grant, CAF, Charles Kumi Gyamfi, Chelsea, Christian Atsu, dictator, Didier Drogba, Egypt, Equatorial Gunea, Everton, FIFA, Fted Osam Duodu, Gabon, Gervinho, Ghana, Hasan Shehata, Hervé Renard, José Mourinho, Kolo Touré, la Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Nigeria, Robert Guéï, Roberto Martinez, Salomon Kalou, the Black Stars, The Desert Foxes, The Elephants, the Pharaohs, the Super-Eagles, Tunisia, Yaya Touré
Trending Analysis
by Segun Odegbami © Segun Odegbami (January 30th 2015)
Geographic Trends
Central Africa is represented by three countries – DR Congo, Congo and the hosts Equatorial Guinea. West Africa still has three countries as well – Ghana, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire. North African countries have Tunisia and Algeria still in the race. On history and rankings Guinea and Equatorial Guinea stand little chance of bucking the trend.
The distribution of the teams speaks volumes. Central African countries, led by the two Congos are rising powers in African football. Even their performances at club level is indicative of this new momentum. On the other hand there is a decline in Southern and East Africa. West and North Africa are still maintaining their lead in Africa.
Hosting Trends
But there is another trend to consider hosting being the twelfth man. Of the 29 editions so far the host has won the tournament eleven times, been beaten in the final twice – thrice if you include when Nigeria co-hosted in 2000. The host has failed to reached at least the semi-final 7.5 times out of 29 editions, although in the first three editions that was inevitable due to the number of participants. Traditionally the hosts progress.
Ethiopia was the first host to fail to reach the last four. That happened in the tenth edition in 1976. It happened again to Côte d'Ivoire in 1984. Eight years later Senegal went out in the quarter-finals. In 1994 Tunisia failed to get past the first phase of matches. Co-hosts Ghana went out in the quarter-finals in 2000 while their co-hosts Nigeria won the tournament. In 2010 Angola were eliminated in the quarter-final, which happened to both co-hosts, Angola and Equatorial Guinea too in 2012 and most recently to South Africa in the last edition.
Equatorial Guinea only qualified as replacement hosts. They have never qualified on merit and they have a very low FIFA ranking. On paper and form they should have no chance, but barring Tunisia's host and fail – there were no quarter-finals when Ethiopia and Côte d'Ivoire also failed in 1976 and 84 respectively – the hosts can be expected to reach the quarter-final at least and Equatorial Guinea has achieved that.
They have already met the hosting norm of progressing to the knock-out phase, but of 26 of 29 hosts achieved that. 21.5 of the hosts have reached at least the last four, so history is on the side of Equatorial Guinea and then there is Tunisia's recent trend. The last three occasions they have reached the finals they exited at the quarter-final stage.
Home-field advantage may just be enough for Equatorial Guinea to make history while at the same time maintain tradition.
Tagged Africa, Algeria, Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, co-hosts, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, FIFA, Ghana, Guinea, hosting, Hosts, Nigeria, regions, Senegal, South Africa, the two Congos, Tunisia
Tatters
by Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (January 10th 2015)
Carlos Velasco Carballo's reputation may never recover. Having refereed against type at Fortaleza's Estádio Castelão in the controversial hackfest of Brasil v Colombia, Velasco Carballo was savaged by Diego Maradona and given FIFA's equivalent of a vote of confidence. FIFA refused to give Juan Camilo Zuñiga Mosquera a retrospective red card or rescind Thiago Silva's yellow card.
Zuñiga should have been sent off, but so should several others. It was baffling that a referee with a reputation as a disciplinarian had refereed this match as if he had forgotten his cards in the dressing room. It is also a great pity as Velasco Carballo, contrary to Maradona's opinion is actually a very good referee – one who had steadily earned the top matches with stellar performances. That reputation is all but undone by one match.
He officiated his first top flight match a decade ago – Barçelona v Sevilla. Velasco Carballo decided to concentrate exclusively on refereeing in 2010. He had quietly built up a reputation as a firm but fair referee – one who managed to combine a disciplinarian streak with letting the game flow. This was quite an achievement.
He was a studious referee too – one who knew the foibles of those he was refereeing. Nobody pulled the wool over his eyes, so what happened to him on July 4th 2014? Did the occasion get to him? The refereeing of that match took some explaining then – it still does. There is no evidence that he was fazed by big occasions.
Velasco Carballo refereed his first international match in 2008 after earning the appropriate FIFA badge. The 2010-11 season was his first refereeing past the qualifiers for the Champion's League. He ended that season with a high profile match – the Europa League Final in Dublin. Radamel Falcao – then playing for Porto – set a Europa League (UEFA Cup) record for goals scored in the competition.
Falcao, who would strongly criticise Velasco Carballo over the match in Fortaleza, scored the only goal of that match. It was a match punctuated by fouls and cards. 42 fouls resulted in eight yellow cards. This was typical Velasco Carballo. The native of Madrid is not allowed to referee any match involving Madrid teams, but his performance in that season marked him as one to watch.
Against His DNA
His performance in Fortaleza was incredible. There were 54 fouls in that match – well penalised ones. He brandished four yellow cards and no red cards. It required more than 40 offences bbefore he showed his first card and that was not for a violent challenge. There were also offences that were not penalised despite being under his nose (see Pockmarked at https://empowersport.wordpress.com/2015/01/10/pockmarked/).
The failure to enforce the rules also contributed to a serious injury suffered by Neymar. Zuñiga ploughed into Neymar's back. Whether he intended serious injury or not is immaterial. It was a ludicrous challenge – one that would never have been tolerated, or most likely even tried, if Velasco Carballo had been allowed to referee as he normally would have.
Zuñiga quickly apologised. The players have no problem with each other, but anxious to reach the ball or not these are the challenges that must not be allowed or encouraged even tacitly, as lack of consequences does. When Brasil played Colombia in a friendly in the USA, they embraced each other, but that match was scarred by the quarter-final in Fortaleza – a dirty business. Juan Guilermo Cuadrado Bello was sent off.
The Europa League Final was far from the only match that Velasco Carballo refereed in his strict manner. He has a habit of showing cards, including sending players off. During the 2011-12 season in Spain he issued 16 red cards in 19 matches that he refereed. He was Spain's representative at Euro2012, refereeing the opening match between co-hosts Poland and Greece.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos received a second yellow card for fouling Poland's Rafal Murawski just before half time. Even that card was harsh, but the previous one beggared belief. Just before being sent off he received his first yellow card for allegedly fouling Robert Lewandowski, but the replays showed that Papastathopoulos had actually won the ball cleanly and fairly.
It was no foul and therefore it could not have been a yellow card. If he did not receive a yellow card then, he would not have been sent off for fouling Murawski and Greece would still have had eleven players on the pitch.
To paraphrase the great author Oscar Wilde: "To give one yellow card wrongly or harshly may be considered a misfortune. To give two is carelessness"! He also sent off Poland's goal-keeper Wojciech Szczesny in the same match.
So what happened in Fortaleza? Why had he abandoned the habits of a lifetime and done so on an even bigger stage? We are yet to get a satisfactory answer. Tolerating over forty offences before brandishing a single yellow card resulted in a display that was alien to the Spaniard's DNA.
And what of Velasco Carballo himself? FIFA say that there was no directive to referees to spare the rod and spoil the spectacle. But why would a stern referee officiate so against type? They also failed to take any sanction against the Spaniard for his bizarre performance that surely would have followed if it was all his fault. Would he return to form free from the ʻdirective' or was Fortaleza a taste of things to come?
Tagged Barcelona, Brasil, Carlos Velasco Carballo, Colombia, Cuadrado, Diego Maradona, DNA, Dublin, Estádio Castelão, Euro2012, Europa League Final, FIFA, Fortaleza, Greece, Juan Camilo Zuñiga Mosquera, Juan Guilermo Cuadrado Bello, Lewandowsk, Madrid, Murawski, Neymar, Oscar Wilde, Papasththopoulos, Poland, Porto, Radamel Falcao, Rafal Murawski, refere, Sevilla, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Spain, The USA, Thiago Silva, UEFA, Velasco Carballo, Wojciech Szczesny, Zúñiga
Football Unite
by Segun Odegbami © Segun Odegbami (January 1st 2015)
My Only New Year Resolution
Welcome to 2015 and a happy New Year to all the readers of this column. The legendary soul singer, the late great Sam Cooke said it best: ʻA Change is Gonna Come'. Actually a change has gotta come. As the world enters into 2015, I have set for myself one goal, a resolution of some sort – to join forces with whoever loves the game of football to stop Sepp Blatter from returning as President of FIFA when the next elections hold this year.
I just do not understand it. The sit-down syndrome in any organised setting is anathema to good governance, and is denounced globally for its penchant to turn even good leaders into power-drunk dictators. The history of the world is littered with the story of several of such political leaders. Their end usually is a sad story of abuse of power, corruption, internal strife and conflicts, controversy and the death of true democratic principles.
Sepp Blatter must be stopped now
As the race for the Presidency of FIFA begins the worst news to come out of Zurich is that Mr Blatter has not only indicated he would be running again but that no one within the Executive Committee is actually challenging him despite the mountains of scandals and controversies that hang around the neck of the organization and now threaten the integrity of the greatest game in the world.
I do not intend to go into the details of the ugly scandals and charges that have rocked FIFA since Blatter became its President in 1998, and that have claimed several high profile victims within the football family through the years (Jack Warner, Mohammed bin Hamman, Lennart Johansson, Farro Ado1, and so on). He has even claimed to be incorruptible.
The mere fact that Blatter promised that he would not be standing for the Prseidency again after the 2011 elections makes his recent announcement very annoying. He is making a mockery of the rest of the world. The man's word cannot be trusted. It is just 'full of sound and fury signifying nothing'.
Sepp Blatter started his career in FIFA in 1975. That means that he has been part of the organization for 40 years. He has spent the last 16 as its President. By next year he will be 80 years old.
In a period in history when the world is preparing to send young men to the red planet, and planes that will cross the Atlantic in one hour are being designed, what is the new innovation this old-fashioned and old man is bringing to the world's greatest sport?
What did Blatter forget to do in the past 40 years that he has been part of the organization that he now wants to introduce at the twilight of his life? What is he afraid of in a new leadership? Or better still, what is he hiding from the world that he thinks will remain hidden forever? His predecessor – almost 100 years old – João Havelange was no stranger to accusations of corruption. He ran FIFA as his fiefdom. He was forced to resign his role as FIFA's Honorary President in 2013 because he had accepted bribes between 1992-2000 totalling £1m. Blatter was his protege.
Disheartening
Only Jérôme Champagne, a former General Secretary of FIFA, has summoned the courage to do what is obviously desirable and needed now for the advancement of world football – enter the race. Perhaps he can end the Sepp Blatter reign and usher in something new – something refreshing to take football to the next level.
It is truly disheartening, shocking and disappointing that despite the numerous monumental scandals that have rocked the world body through the years, and the baggage of charges that Blatter has had to carry and parry with impunity, which presently and menacingly threaten the integrity of the game of football, the man still has the guts to eat his own words and announce to the world that he would be contesting the Presidency again.
The great tragedy is not that he wants to run, but that he might win again, whilst the rest of the world is watching and keeping silent. But how can this be?
What hold does Mr Blatter have over the other members of the Executive Committee of FIFA that makes them cower in the face of his arrogance? Recall how bin Hamman withdrew from the race in 2011 and was subsequently banned from football for life twice. Recall how Issa Hayatou, threatened by the IOC for allegations of corruption, bowed to pressure and withdrew also.
In the 2011 elections Mr. Blatter was returned unopposed as President because there was no 'clean' person within the organization to challenge him. The same scenario appears to be is playing out again in 2015.
For example, why did Michel Platini, tipped by many after 2011 to be his likely successor, withdraw his candidacy from the race as soon as Blatter indicated interest to return? It is really shameful and unacceptable that the man under whose watch some of the most atrocious corruption charges have been levied remains uninvestigated and untouchable atop the organization.
Even the most recent controversy about the bribery allegations surrounding the 2022 World Cup and the Garcia report that was mangled to protect some interests within the organisation, are being swept under the carpet.
Blatter has become too powerful for comfort. Until and unless he leaves FIFA and its activities will continue to remain shrouded in the murk of scandals. It is amazing that with the developments following Garcia's report, protest and resignation, the FIFA President did not step aside to allow for an independent inquiry to protect the integrity of football and of FIFA.
Instead, he is contemptuously going ahead with his plans to perpetuate himself in power. Guilty of all these charges or not, Sepp Blatter has had his time, served football well but must now go. If he does not do so voluntarily and with dignity, he should be stopped by all means and all costs from contesting the 2015 elections, period. The world has had enough of the shenanigans.
Meanwhile, the bad news is that he has kick-started his campaign. His foot soldiers are already knocking on the doors of the most vulnerable of his supporters, the impoverished army of African football federation presidents. They are, as usual, being tempted with offers of membership of committees and subcommittees to vote for him.
Africa Unite
Blatter helped bring the World Cup to Africa. For that he has our respect, but the love affair has turned sour. Despite his extreme age and that he was clearly ailing the continent's greatest hero, Nelson Mandela was pressured to attend football events for Africa's World Cup. Following Madiba's passing Blatter delivered the final insult.
Let me remind Africa that this is the man that disrespected Mandela. One day after Mandela died in December 2013, during a FIFA event for the 2014 World Cup, Blatter rudely interrupted a one-minute silence called for Mandela after only 11 seconds. It was preposterous. So infuriated were some people that they vowed to do everything to stop him from returning as FIFA President should he dare to run again in 2015.
That time has come. All of Africa must rise up now and say no to Blatter. Since Sepp Blatter, has the audacity to seek to perpetuate himself in office, we the people also have the temerity to say no to another 4 years of his dictatorship. That's precisely why Blatter must be stopped, now.
1 Ado was the Vice-President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) and President of the Somali Football Association at the time. He claimed that he had been offered $100,000 to vote for Blatter and that others had queued up to take their money.
Tagged CAF, Farro Ado, FIFA, FIFA President, Issa Hayatou, Jack Warner, Jérôme Champagne, Lennart Joansson, Madiba, Michael Garcia, Michel Platini, Mohammed bin Hamman, Neson Mandela, Sam Cooke, Segun Odegbami, Sepp Blatter, World Cup
Stand Down Sepp
by Segun Odegbami © Segun Odegbami )November 12th 2014
Despite agreeing that his fourth term would be his last Sepp Blatter has announced that he wants to run for a fifth as President of FIFA. Mr Blatter, please step aside. The thought of Blatter' decision just leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
Whoever knows Blatter well should advise him to shelve the idea for the good of the game. If he truly loves football the way he professes he does, he should step aside and halt this epidemic of remaining in power for ever.
What more does he want to do and accomplish that he has not done and achieved in the long 'centuries' of his reign? What more does he want? What? What?
Unwelcome Trends
He will only be further spreading the disease of self-perpetuation in office and continuing a dangerous trend that has already consumed and destroyed the fabric of football administration in Africa, and, particularly, Nigeria.
When you wonder where those who choose to attempt to perpetuate themselves in the leadership of football derive their example and inspiration from, look no further than FIFA and CAF. Since Blatter will obviously not voluntarily surrender power, the world of football must rise up now and kill the cancer of his dictatorship! No one ever voluntarily surrenders power!
No one is also indispensable, None! Blatter does not have the monopoly of knowledge or experience, or even love for the game of football. Football can surely do with some new ideas, new faces and new thinking about its future. It's overdue.
Tagged Afica, Blatter, CAF, FIFA, football, Nigeria, Sepp Blatter
Hail The New President
by Segun Odegbami © Segun Odegbami (October 2nd
Amaju Pinnick Steps into the Storm
I was in Ghana early this week when the elections for the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation took place. From what I gather there are still a few pending issues that must be resolved before final peace, if there will ever be such a thing in Nigerian football, can be achieved.
But first let me join Sepp Blatter and all other well wishers that have sent congratulatory messages to Amaju Pinnick in wishing him well in his reign as President of the Nigeria Football Association (Federation). It was no mean feat to emerge as President at the congress that was held on September 30 despite a court order that I am told directed it not to hold, as it was against a FIFA advise that the congress be held.
The important thing for now is that, in spite of the faults of the electoral process that I pointed out previously, the elections came and went and a new Executive Committee has emerged. That 'game' is over. Despite the protestations, Amaju Pinnick will govern for the next 4 years.
After that, unless that term is used to right all the wrongs of the present, the crisis that almost consumed the country's football will repeat itself again. You do not plant an orange and expect to reap an apple. I guarantee you, as I did in 2010, that in 4 years time, we shall go through this same cycle again, unless things change.
Without question, Pinnick deserves his victory considering his opponents. He was helped by a whole lot of other factors like where the congress was held: the political party the State belongs to, the previous zonal imbalance of power in Nigerian football and the influence of the Delta State governor and his relationship with the highest level of power in Nigeria. All were great influences on the final result.
Without going into the details, all the other contestants should have known that for as long as the elections took place in Delta State – one of the contestants was from there – and the incumbent President was not contesting the elections this time, the chances of stopping the hurtling Amaju Pinnick train was almost impossible. That's the nature of elections here in Nigeria. And there will be more to come.
Pinnick was the Chairman of the Football Association of Delta State – he now has to relinquish that position. That means there must be an election to determine his successor. There will also be an election for the position Executive Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission – Pinnick must also give up tat position to remove any suggestion of 'government interference' that may haunt him in his relationship with FIFA. Nevertheless, Pinnick has added yet another feather to his already bulging portfolio of political achievements and offices. However, he faces huge challenges.
The Challenges Amaju Pinnick Must Conquer
At things now stand, Pinnick comes to office with his hands full of serious and, sometimes, complicated issues he has to deal with first. He will need all his wits: human relations and acute political, legal and administrative skills, to successfully manoeuvre through the minefields that lie ahead.
Somehow, he would have to find a way to stop the challenges still in court. Unless, there is a political intervention at a high level, and the courts agree to bend over backwards to allow disregard of their decisions to go unpunished, Pinnick will face a huge challenge. There is nothing new there, as it has happened previously and the last executive got away with it for the 4 years of their tenure. Pinnick may soon find that the simple decision of a high court judge in Jos, who may not even know anything about the game of football, could develop into a cancer that would make life extremely difficult for the new committee. But there are other problems too.
Besides Giwa – the football club in Jos at the centre of the problem with FIFA – there are still other aggrieved members of the last executive committee that appear to have now lost out in the battle of the last election. They are also stakeholders at different levels of Nigerian football and their grievances will just not disappear simply because Sepp Blatter has congratulated Amaju Pinnick. Far from it, he would have to appease them somehow and readmit them into the fold for him to be able to sleep with both eyes shut!
Furthermore, he would have to take a firm stand, for good or for worse, on who has the rights to manage the affairs of the Nigerian Premier League – a situation that is confounding to everyone. The architects of that body, which is also known as the League Management Committee (LMC) and the NFF members appear to be on a collision course. Pinnick will have to resolve a situation that is unknown in the statutes of Nigerian football, while needing to hold on to the most priced possession of the members of the NFF – the Premier League. He will have to do this despite facing strong opposition. I foresee a grave crisis looming over this.
Even this is not all that Pinnick will face. There will be other issues too, including that of the future of the current coach of the Super-Eagles Stephen Keshi. I foresee a big battle of egos between Pinnick and Keshi, who will have to decide whether to fire the African Cup of Nations winning coach or retain him. The next set of matches will determine how that plays out in the beginning of what could be a turbulent relationship.
Halting the Repetitive Cycle
Finally, I believe that unless the statutes of the Nigeria Football Federation are amended to accommodate all stakeholders on the basis of equal representation, as directed by FIFA years ago in their letter to the board headed by Sani Lulu, and are designed in such a way that every election is held with all contestants on a level playing field, and is not driven by vaulting ambition that introduces special rules from outside the statutes, the future is depressingly certain. In 4 years time Nigerians should expect a repeat of what we have all just experienced.
Meanwhile, once again, I wish Amaju Pinnick and the rest of his Executive Committee members the best of luck in their future struggles. They will need it. Congratulations Amaju!
Tagged African Cup of Nations, Amaju Pinnick, Delta State, FIFA, Ghana, Giwa FC, Jos, League Management Committee, Nigeria, Nigerian Footbal Federation, Nigerian Premier League, Sani Lulu, Segun Odegbami, Sepp Blatter, Stephen Keshi
Partick Thistle FC v Motherwell – Preview
Football to the Rescue
Up and Up
Randers Dominate
Lost Boys | Empowers… on Coaching Legacy (Part Three) –…
Lost Boys | Empowers… on Coaching Legacy (Part Two) –…
Lost Boys | Empowers… on Coaching Legacy (Part One) –…
Historic | Empowersp… on Football's Shame – Archiv…
Zapatilla Asics Gel… on Despicable People and the Worl…
Aboubacar Sidike (Titi) Camara
C K Gyamfi
Cecil Jones Attuquayefio
Hassan Sehata
Lars Lagerbäck
ncia
Paul le Guen
the African Cup of Nations
the African Mentality
the Super-Eagles


DreamFactory is the easiest way to automatically generate, publish, and manage REST APIs.
Integrate any SQL or NoSQL database, file storage system, or external HTTP or SOAP service and DreamFactory instantly generates a flexible, comprehensive, and fully documented REST API endpoint that's ready to use. Focus on building your applications, not hand-coding APIs for every new development project.
DreamFactory provides the most comprehensive REST API for SQL databases. Features include automatically generated REST endpoints for data, schema, functions, stored procedures, and API parameters for complex filters, pagination, sorting, related table joins, virtual foreign keys, calculations, aggregation, rollback, commit, and more.
Create virtual foreign key relationships between tables in the same database or between completely different databases without altering your schema or writing any code. Create, read, update, or delete objects and related objects with a single API call.
DreamFactory instantly turns any WSDL into a live, fully documented REST API. DreamFactory automatically converts the JSON request into SOAP, calls the legacy SOAP service, and then the SOAP response is converted back to JSON for the client application. DreamFactory also generates Live API Docs from the WSDL for testing.
Securing APIs is difficult and time consuming. DreamFactory makes it easy with User Management, SSO Authentication, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), CORS, Role-Based Access Control on API endpoints, record-level permissions on data, OAuth, LDAP, Active Directory, SAML integration, and more.
DreamFactory automatically generates interactive API documentation for every connected data source. DreamFactory uses Swagger, the most popular open source project for API documentation. Live documentation allows you to try out different parameters and see the request and response before building an application.
The admin console makes it easy to centrally manage the entire DreamFactory Platform, including your catalog of REST APIs, applications, scripts, security settings, users, roles, and more. All of the administrative capabilities are also exposed as a REST API in case you need to automate repetitive tasks.
DreamFactory is a free, open source project that runs on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. DreamFactory is scalable, stateless, and portable. You can run it on private, public, or hybrid infrastructure and easily move your apps between servers. DreamFactory is easy to deploy with Docker, Kubernetes, Bitnami, or directly from GitHub source.
DreamFactory makes it easy to migrate your applications between development, test, and production environments. You can save a package file that stores all metadata settings for a specific application in JSON format. DreamFactory allows you to push package files between instances using either the REST API or the Admin Console for easy deployment.
DreamFactory makes it easy to centrally manage API limits across your entire organization. You can specify API rate limits at the instance, role, user, and endpoint level. Each DreamFactory instance is governed by API limits and automatically throttles API calls at runtime. API limits help protect against malicious attacks and manage costs at the critical API layer of your business.
DreamFactory comes with the popular ELK stack (Elastic, Logstash, and Kibana) for logging and reporting on API traffic. Kibana provides flexible reporting on all API calls with pre-configured dashboards segmented by instance, application, role, user, API endpoint, and more.
DreamFactory makes it easy to publish your APIs for others to use. You can expose as many APIs and API keys as you need and apply flexible role-based access control to every API endpoint. DreamFactory makes it easy to API-enable your business with internal stakeholders, business partners, developers, end users, and anyone else who needs secure access to your API.
Interested in a demo or trial version? Contact us!


, choices the top selections with greatest resolution exclusively for you all, and now this photos is actually among photographs selections inside our finest pictures gallery with regards to Beautiful Sample Resume Of Cashier Customer Service. Lets hope you might enjoy it.
submitted through admin in 2018-04-28 22:29:16. To determine almost all graphics throughout Beautiful Sample Resume Of Cashier Customer Service images gallery please stick to this kind of url.


This content was posted into the space tribe, a user created community! Be sure to check it out for more similar content posted by other like-minded individuals!
Quasars are the brightest objects in the universe, and display a mysterious diversity in their appearance that have puzzled astronomers for more than two decades. Now, scientists think they have a method for solving that mystery.