Winter suggests of corruption in Europe (Everton vs Villarreal)

[GrandOldTeam]

Hi Jeff

In your article concerning the league of injustice in which Everton finished fourth and Liverpool fifth, you mention that Liverpool fans will argue the case that they lost points to Chelsea at home but hasn't this been included in the calculations? As for conspiracy theories, when was the last time the SKY FOUR didn't qualify for the Champions League? Even when Liverpool finished fifth they quite simply just changed the rules to allow them in!!

Then, just to make sure we didn't have five English teams in the Champions League, the so-called "Best ref in the world" disallows Everton a perfectly good goal that sees them go out at the qualifying stage!!

I am sure like all Everton supporters we are just paranoid!!

It is interesting though, what do you think? And more to the point would you have disallowed the goal in question?

Jeff's reply:

You are quite correct about the Liverpool game against Chelsea - the goal was chalked off and I merely mentioned it to highlight the fact that all teams have suffered with decisions.

I have spoken to David Moyes at length about the disallowed goal against the Spanish side. He certainly has his own very strong feelings about it. I personally could see nothing wrong with the goal.

There have always been strong insinuations about corruption in European football. I have always believed that this would not happen in domestic football. The problem is that where there is money there is crime. The Champions League is the holy grail of football and who knows what bribery and corruption may be taking place.

You will just have to win the UEFA Cup next season. The only problem is that with so many matches to play in that competition, it impairs your chances of getting into the top four. As you say Sky and every one else just wants their so called "Big Four" contesting everything.

Best Wishes

Jeff

Interesting.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

He also admits to being a Middlesbrough fan.

 

[Welton Toffee]

I still get angry when I think about that match. The most gutted I've ever been

 

[coyney]

I always thought that there was something sinister going on the bald [Poor language removed] retired after that game.

 

[forza_imps]

I don't think this points to widespread corruption. It is just that UEFA seemingly want to keep the same popular teams in the Champions League. Popular teams = more money from the global TV stations, more money for UEFA and more for the Big Four in this country and the other hegemonies we see in the other European leagues.

As I said, the system works towards the popular teams, I don't think it is actually deliberately engineered to making this happen though.

 

[coyney]

As we all now know that its a fact the Italian league was corrupt and the watered down penalties suggest it still is.however it would be naive to believe thats the only place , There was a team in France that had the European cup stripped because of corruption,even here in the 60s the betting scandal so its a brave man who states there is no corruption I know young kids on merseyside who's parents got a retainer from Liverpool against the rules but they are not alone there are plenty of others doing it where ever you find big money the temptation is there

 

[harry]

As soon as liverpool was allowed to compete in the champions league that year we were stuffed!! there was no way arsenal,chelsea and man u was going to split the tv money 5 ways and even said they were prepared to sue uafa for lost earnings. so we get the hardest draw and [Poor language removed] it up at goodison but uafa needed a plan b incase things went wrong in spain!! so out of retirement comes colina to take one last pay check and make sure only 4 teams enter the group stages.

i should have had a bet on the [Poor language removed] getting TNT in the quallifier, i guessed that right aswell!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[zero]

As soon as liverpool was allowed to compete in the champions league that year we were stuffed!! there was no way arsenal,chelsea and man u was going to split the tv money 5 ways and even said they were prepared to sue uafa for lost earnings. so we get the hardest draw and [Poor language removed] it up at goodison but uafa needed a plan b incase things went wrong in spain!! so out of retirement comes colina to take one last pay check and make sure only 4 teams enter the group stages.

i should have had a bet on the [Poor language removed] getting TNS* in the quallifier, i guessed that right aswell!!!!!!!!!!!

Corrected the teams name, but I completely agree with everything you said. European football is corrupt no doubt about it.

 

[coyney]

Trouble is only a few teams get near to breaking into the chosen few .that any complaints are dismissed as sour grapes

 

[TX Bill]

Amazing what Moyes has accomplished in spite of the obstacles in front of him.

Some clear, some not so clear.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

I've believed that football is corrupt for some time. Not just in Europe but all over. Obviously as Europe is where the big money's at, there's more temptation, as has been stated.