Six months ago I started cycling to football grounds close by me.
Let's say it go out of hand, and recently I decided it was worth raising some money, for #TeamDementiaUK in memory of my father - who would have been 82 at the end of October.
3,750 miles later....
...and I'm 193 grounds down, 9 to go to complete every one within a 40-mile cycling radius of where I live.
3,750: miles cycled
182: football stadiums (every ground from Premier League to Level 11)
6: Racecourses of the south east
5: other grounds
9: to go
Virgil van Dijk offside by the new point of handball on the arm, rather than the armpit.
Last season, this would have been onside.
Note the red line doesn't go to the elbow. It carries through and that's the calculation point. #EVELIV
Clarification on Pickford/Van Dijk.... we all get one wrong now and then.
Pickford could have been sent off (probably should have been).
Had it confirmed that the VAR, David Coote, did NOT check for a red card. Appears he was too concerned with the offside. #EVELIV
The VAR, David Coote, should have checked there was a genuine attempt to play the ball by Jordan Pickford.
But after the offside was cleared, the check was complete and play restarted. There was no review for a possible red card against the keeper for the challenge. 🙄 #EVELIV
Huge win for Scotland tonight over Czech Republic, they now need two points from their last two games (away to Slovakia and Israel) to with their League B group.
Scotland a great example of why taking the Nations League seriously can take you forward.
If Scotland do win their group, they will be firm favourites to take one of the two World Cup playoff spots reserved for Nations League teams (if needed).
Added to that, their results in the Nations League have pushed them up to Pot 3 in next month's World Cup qualifying draw.
Denmark's win over England cements their place in pot 1 for the World Cup qualifying draw.
And with Switzerland getting a draw in Germany, and Netherlands drawing with Italy, it's going to very tight for the last places in pot 1.
All 20 Premier League clubs today unanimously agreed that Project Big Picture will not be endorsed or pursued by the Premier League, or The FA.
Shareholders agreed to work together as a 20-club collective on a strategic plan for the future. (cont)
The strategic plan is for the future structures and financing of English football, consulting with all stakeholders to ensure a vibrant, competitive and sustainable football pyramid. Clubs will work collaboratively, in an open and transparent process.
It will focus on competition structure, calendar, governance and financial sustainability. This project has the full support of The FA and will include engagement with all relevant stakeholders including fans, Government and, of course, the EFL.
Ok, for the VAR thread this week I am going to fully explain the interpretation of defensive handball, as imposed this season.
DISCLAIMER: It doesn't mean I don't think some of these decisions are crackers, but this IS how referees AT ALL LEVELS have been told to apply the law.
I fully understand the frustration of highly experienced and respected former refs.
But the fact here is the application FIFA/the IFAB demands is not as it may seem in the written Laws of the Game.
Here's why. It comes down solely to the definition of "unnaturally bigger".
We all in our own minds, understandably, consider a "natural" arm position to have a direct correlation to how a player may be moving: jumping, running etc.
However, the handball law, as altered by IFAB boss David Elleray, does not take this into account whatsoever.
Additional international treble headers for UEFA in March and September to catch up and to fit in all World Cup qualifiers.
Five subs for all UEFA club and international tournaments for rest of 2020-21.
22-31 March, 2021 - 3 dates
31 May-8 June - Euro 2020 warm-ups
30 Aug-8 Sept - 3 dates
4-12 Oct - 2 dates
8-16 Nov - 2 dates
21-29 March 2022 - 2 dates (World Cup playoffs)
UEFA Nations League finals will be on 6-7 October with the final and third-place on 10 October.
UEFA also confirms COVID rules for the UCL and UEL group stage.
1) If a match cannot be staged by the home team, a suitable alternative venue must be proposed. If the match cannot go ahead/reschedule, the home team will forfeit 3-0