FIFA

FIFA-

"That one person who is rich and we all know did some sketchy shit to make that money, but gives back to your favorite charity."

              The 2018 FIFA men’s World Cup will be hosted by Russia this summer. The opening game will be on June 14 and run through the final on July 15. FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) is the sports governing body that, along with the host nation, prepares and runs the football tournament. The games won’t begin until June, however, there is plenty of excitement prior towards the commencement of the World Cup. The topic that will be discussed isn’t necessarily as exciting as the beautiful game but does play a dramatic part in the footballing world.

              FIFA.  FIFA controls and manages the organization of tournaments and everything that comes along with it such as negotiating with sponsors, awarding television rights, rules and laws that surround the game, but do not control the actual Laws of the game.  That reponsiblilty falls under the International Football Association Board (IFAB) which is composed of the English FA, the Scottish FA, The Football Association of Wales and Northern Ireland’s FA. However, FIFA has 50% of the votes (4) when it comes to the 8-person panel.

              That is why FIFA is a vital part and will most likely never go away. Not without a fight at least. There is a significant amount of money that is involved in the soccer organizing operation that it’s insane. FIFA has a negative connotation to some in the footballing community mainly due to allegations of corruption, money laundry, and being complicit to human rights violations to host nations that are using foreign labor to complete the construction of stadiums.

              Don’t let that last sentence stray you off course. I am not here to bash FIFA, I’ll leave that to the funnier and more qualified comedians such as John Oliver. I am here to attempt to explain how FIFA is structured so as the World Cup nears and comedians, sports news outlets, and even regular news outlets will make some sort of report on the scandals associated with FIFA, the reader will have a slightly better understanding on the topic.

              The President. The President of FIFA is the normally the most recognizable person in the sport governing body. The current president, Gianni Infantino, was elected after his predecessor, Joseph Blatter, was removed due to corruption allegations. The FIFA president is a representative role where whoever holds the position must advance the Council’s agenda in strategic manner that also represents the policies and values. The president has no vote in congress, but has one ordinary vote on the Council. In short, the president represents FIFA where ever he goes in order to further their agenda.

              The Council. The 37 members (1 President, 8 Vice Presidents, and 28 other members) on the Council have significantly more authority in progressing FIFA’s agenda and authority. A few of the aspects under control of the Council is the awarding of commercial contracts, football development grants, the operational costs of FIFA and other business-finance related matters. The Council appoints a general secretariat to manage and execute the business-finance matters. As one would expect the general secretariat is overseen and answers to the authority of the Council. The Council also approves the budget and assigns committees and holds the elections for the head of those committees to be voted by the congress. Remember the IFAB mentioned earlier? The Council is involved in that as well. They pick three members along with the President to represent FIFA at the IFAB and how representatives will vote in the IFAB. To summarize, the Council runs FIFA, they don’t control all aspects, but if anything is going to be done it will have to go through the Council.

FIFA Congress.  Meets ordinarily every year and/or when summoned by the Council. Each soccer federation is represented in FIFA congress unless it is not present, therefore can’t vote, or suspended due to a violation against FIFA regulation and policy. The FIFA congress gets to vote for the next president, approval of the budget and which nation will host the next world cup. To compare, FIFA congress is like the students in an elementary classroom who raise their hands to vote and the Council is the teacher who provides the students on what they will vote for.

Clearly, I didn’t go as in-depth as most fans of policy making would enjoy, however, my intention wasn’t to explain the influence of the confederations have over the soccer federations in their region that results in block voting. My intentions were to familiarize, mostly Americans, how FIFA is structured not how it works. Full transparency, I don’t know 100% how FIFA works, and I research, follow, and attempt to understand what they do for quite some time now. The real excitement will be on the fields in Russia this summer, but keep an eye and watch for the drama that FIFA brings along with them.

Lakers had a Shot...and missed

     The Los Angeles Lakers will not take part in the 2018 NBA playoffs. It was a stretch for the purple and gold to make the playoffs and most with common knowledge on NBA would have easily laughed off any suggestions or fan theory on how the Lakers would make the playoffs. The Lakers sit in the 11th spot with a record of 33 wins and 41 losses.
   
     The race for the 8th seed and final playoff spot is still being wildly contested between the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Utah Jazz. Minnesota cannot afford any slip ups in their final games or they can see themselves not only fall to the 8th seed, but realistically miss the playoffs all together.

    The Lakers had the chance to make the playoffs this year, but it seems they are content with just being overall more competitive than the previous years. Which I agree and admit that this year watching Laker games at home or at a sports bar were worth paying for the beers I drank. Now to finish the season off strong and wait for the playoffs to end and head towards the free agency that will definitely conjure up plenty of surprises, not just for the Lakers but for the entire league.

    The season isn't over, heck, the playoffs haven't even began. I can't wait for playoff basketball. My favorite team wont participate, but this league has excellent teams that provide skillful and exciting basketball. Now to watch the remaining regular season games to see where teams finish to cement their playoffs spot.

World Cup Power Rankings w/explanations

              The FIFA men's world cup is approaching fast. Soon the world will set their sights on Russia for the 2018 tournament. There are a few notable nations that failed to qualify for the world cup final stage. Italy, Netherlands, Chile, and the United States are the teams that disappointingly failed to reach the tournament. Of the four teams Italy is the only one to have won the world cup (4x) and the Netherlands have reached the final 3 times only to lose all three. Chile is a team with exceptional players and could have easily been a dark horse this summer. The disappointment of the United States failure is based more on the fact that the CONCACAF is a relatively easier qualification process due to the presumed lack of strength by the competition.
            But, the tournament isn't going to be won by a team that isn't there. The teams that are there, all 32, have the same chance and number of games required of them,7, to win the tournament. However, some teams are better equipped to lift the world cup.

1. Brazil 
   Why are they number 1? The 5x world cup champions eased through their qualification. The Brazilian team finished 10 points ahead of 2nd place Uruguay, in which I would argue is the most difficult region to qualify to the world cup do to their format and quality of the top 6 teams in the 10 team CONMEBOL confederation.

    Why doubt them? Brazil hasn't fared well lately in the past World Cup tournaments. Since winning the 2002 World cup Brazil has been eliminated in the quarter-finals by France, Netherlands, and in a semi-final where they were humiliated, on their on soil, by a German side that went on to win it all. It doesn't help that their star player, Neymar, will be coming back from injury right around the start of the tournament.

    It has been 16 years since Brazil last lifted a world cup trophy. For their standards that is a drought, but the reason they are my number one spot is for the fact that they are Brazil. Yes, Neymar is an excellent player and will be missed if he isn't fully fit. This team isn't the same one from four years ago who will collapse due to a few injuries. This team may not play as inspirational as past generations, but can definitely win 7 games.     

2. Germany
     Why number 2? Germany is a power house, plain and simple. Their model on developing players and how the federation invested heavily on youth programs has come into fruition. The Die Mannschaft  won the world cup four times and are the current champions after their triumph in Brazil. Most will probably have Germany as their number 1, but at this point it's just preference. Germany had a relatively easy time progressing through their group to qualify for Russia.

    Why doubt them? To summarize, you don't. The only issue I see this team having is the Goalkeeper situation as Neuer has been injured for a majority of the season and ter Stegen playing well for an undefeated Barcelona team could easily force Neuer to sit on the bench as the number 2 Goalkeeper.

   This is a problem that most managers wouldn't mind. Having two world class goalkeepers is the least of the team's problem and if that is the biggest issue the German side has than they are sitting in pretty good shape heading into the tournament.

3. Spain
    Why number 3? Spain has a squad with talent and depth to spare.That can be seen through jealous or admirable, or even both, eyes from anyone who isn't Spanish or cares for their success.

    Why doubt them? Spain had a horrible world cup in Brazil. One can easily point out that if could have been stagnation or a world cup hang over from previously winning the 2010 world cup and 2012 Euros.

    Spain is a team that hasn't performed to their expected standard in the last two major international tournaments (2014 World Cup and Euros 2016), but with the talent this Spanish side has it difficult to see this national side repeat their failures from the 2014 summer tournament in Brazil.

4. Argentina
    Why fourth? The Argentinian side is full of attacking players. They also have in Messi arguably the best player in the world. Just give the ball to Messi and any team has a chance on winning the match. The head coach, Jorge Sampaoli, tends to get his teams to be organized and if he can do that with the  Argentinian national side for the summer then this team has a chance on reaching the final again.

     Why doubt them? The 2x world cup champions lost to Germany in the final in Brazil and were eliminated by them as well in the previous two world cups when the two sides met in the quarter-finals. And Messi had to save the team on the last match in qualifications from being one of the more recognizable national teams from failing to make the world cup. Argentina may have the best player, but the rest of the team tends to fall short when they put on the Albiceleste jersey.

5. France
    Why fifth? I am aware the French national side lost the Euros 2016 final to Portugal. However, the French national team has notably better and younger talent that makes this a team for the future. Yet, there is enough experience on the team to propel Les Bleus to reach the latter round of the knock-out stages.

   Why doubt them? The French side is hindered by having excellent players all across the board. The issue with them is how their head coach, Didier Deschamps, will line up the team, how will they play, and move them forward. Which tends to be the criticism he is getting by the French press to this day and the world cup is less than 100 days away.

6. Portugal
   Why sixth? The Portuguese won the Euro 2016 in France with Ronaldo sidelined on the bench due to injury. This means that one can't solely judge this national side solely on the status of their star player. Ronaldo is picking form again at the right time for his club team. If he can bring that form into the world cup then Portugal will be a team that can easily challenge the more well established national teams.

    Why doubt them? They tied with Switzerland on points during the qualifying stage only to get the automatic birth to the world cup due to goal difference. Yes, they did win the Euros 2016, but they did it in a fashion that most would classify their triumph to Greece in 2004 than Spain. 

7. Uruguay
    Why seventh? Uruguay finished 2nd in the CONMEBOL qualifications and have a team with a rough defense that will trouble the world's best attacking players and on the other end have goal scoring pair other teams will have trouble stopping in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Stuani is having an excellent season with Girona as well.

    Why doubt them? The midfield is usually designed to make sure the back line isn't easily exposed. Making the overall team play very defensive and can leave their excellent strikers to fend for themselves.

8. England 
    Why 8th? The English have a manager in Gareth Southgate and if Henry Kane is healthy and in his top goal scoring form then England has a chance to silence the critics (mainly themselves) in being great underachievers.

     Why doubt them? To keep it simple they are England. I am a harsh critic of the English in the footballing world due to a variety of factors. One of them is that i disagree that they are underachievers. I just think the English need to come to terms and realize they were never an elite footballing nation on the international stage. That being said, I actually would prefer this English side to win the tournament.

9. Colombia
   Why ninth? For the footballing romantic Colombia is the team to root for. A  team that is suppose to be more defensive than their play displays due to their Jose Pekerman, the Colombian national team coach, more tactical defensive approach towards the game. With players such as James Rodriguez, Falcao, and Cuadrado can make any team exciting to watch going forward on the counter.

    Why doubt them? The Colombian national side captured the hearts of fans during the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Only to be defeated 2-1 by Brazil in a match that displayed the brutal and physical side when two CONMEBOL sides play each other. Colombia may be fun to watch, but can't hold their own against more physical teams. Add the quality of the top European teams on this list and it's difficult to see this national side as anything but an underdog.

10. Belgium
     Why 10th? Belgium has a talented squad from Courtois in goal, a midfield with the likes of De Bruyne, and an attack that consists of Eden Hazard and Lukaku. A golden generation in some sort of way that has an opportunity to upset any of the favorites this summer.

   Why doubt them? They lost to Wales in France during the 2016 Euros. For all the talent that this Belgium side may have, the probability of them being a wasted generation seems more likely than this side lifting up any major international trophy.

Send in the Reinforcements (2018 World Cup)

FIFA International News for World Cup 2018

The FIFA men’s World cup is around the corner and Russia will host the 2018 tournament. That isn’t news to most who follow the beautiful game. What is news is that FIFA approved rule changes that will be in effect this summer. VAR, Video Assistant Referee, which is the most controversial of the new rules, is one of them. There are a few managers and sports pundits who despise the introduction of VAR into the game, stating that it will ruin the game for the fans by slowing down the continuity and speed of the game. Depending who one might ask of whether VAR is a good or bad idea, or whether one likes it or not will definitely vary, but no matter how one feels about it VAR will be in use this summer.

The other two rules that most likely went under the radar due to the emphasis on VAR on most soccer shows is the introduction of teams having a fourth substitute available if the game goes into extra time. The second rule is the ability to transfer data to the technical area for coaching purposes. I will go out on a limb and state that the latter rule is more of a formality because I am certain coaching staff were already receiving information.

However, the rule that I think will shape the world cup is the fourth available substitute. This will allow for coaches to plan for a tactical shift in extra time by putting in a fresh new player. Whether the coach decides to put in a more attacking minded or defensive minded player, the fans will benefit almost as much as the two teams playing in extra time. The fans will be able to see the thought process of their national team’s coach based on the player they put in and which player they take out and potentially eliminating the occasional dreadful 30 minutes of play where both teams are depleted and exhausted waiting for the final whistle to finish the match via a penalty shootout.

Now the coach doesn’t have to decide whether to save their last substitute for extra time or put in the 3^rd and final substitute in during regular time to win it before the match even goes into extra time. This will allow the coaches to implement their plan and allocate all 3 substitutes during the 90 minutes of the match. This new rule will not eliminate the games between an international power house versus a national side content on making the tournament more exciting, but it is a rule that should have been adopted sooner as I see it only benefits the game in a positive manner.

Of the three rules that will be in effect this summer in Russia, VAR will most likely take the headlines and be in the majority of the talking points, but I can see the additional substitute in extra time being a decisive factor as the tournament reaches the knockout stages.

Lakers have a Shot...

Lakers have a Shot…..

The Los Angeles Lakers are still in the playoff hunt. A lot has changed from a week ago. A quick recap, the Lakers won two and lost two. Which isn’t necessarily bad, but they did not make up any ground. The Utah Jazz had the biggest jump from 10^th to 5^th and are on a 9-game winning streak. The Lakers play the Indiana Pacers tonight and with only 13 games left, numerically, they are still alive in the playoff hunt. However, with the regular season coming to a close and not making ground does make a staunch supporter begin to doubt just a bit.

The Lakers remain in 11^th while the LA Clippers (37W-32L) sit above them. The Utah Jazz (40-30) are in the 5^th spot followed by the Pelicans (40-30), Spurs (40-30), Timberwolves (40-31) and the Denver Nuggets (38-32) are in 9^th. Most humans with common sense would bet that the Lakers won’t make the playoffs and I will not argue against that. Yet, the fan part in me, is still holding onto that small glimpse of hope that the Lakers can make the playoffs. With 13 games left each lost (most likely 3) will eliminate the Lakers from the playoffs.

The NBA regular season is exciting especially out in the west. Earlier in the week the San Antonio Spurs were momentarily out of a playoff position. There is still a whole month of basketball left to play and teams that sit in the 5^th and 9^th spot can all change. I will argue that those teams will definitely not finish as they are now. Both LA teams seem to be the ones being left behind in all the fun and excitement, but for the fans of the game this is a thrilling way to head towards the end of the regular season.  

Lakers Have a Shot

Lakers have a Shot!

The Los Angeles Lakers will host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday evening at the Staples Center. Most of the media frenzy will be focused on LeBron James and his option to opt out on his final year on his current contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Pretty much giving the biggest brand in the NBA free reign to choose his next destination. One of the possible destinations James could land is with the team he is facing Sunday at the Staples Center.

However, James has stated that he has no “list of potential destinations” and reassured Cleveland fans that he still has work to do this season. I will take LeBron James by his word and move on from that topic for now. At the moment LeBron James has the right mindset and the Lakers should follow and focus on the present. The season is approaching the final stretch and there is plenty to play for. Especially for the Los Angeles Lakers.

There are 17 remaining regular season games for the purple and gold and with an optimistic chance on clinching the 8^th and final playoff spot. The Lakers currently sit in 11^th behind the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, and current 8^th seed Clippers. To most NBA fans this may seem like a stretch, which it is, but that’s what is captivating about the league. There are still four teams battling for that last playoff spot.

The Lakers have the higher mountain to climb of the four teams and it doesn’t help that they lost to the Nuggets on Friday night. Of the 17 games remaining the Lakers play four games against the teams that sit above them. They will host the Nuggets, two games against the Utah Jazz, and their last game of the season will be against the LA Clippers.

One of the reasons why I mention the optimistic opportunity for the Lakers to make the playoffs is to appreciate the now. Laker fans had to endure two awful seasons and I am aware that most Laker fans’ mentality is win it all or it is a failure. The “We hang banners” thought process is due to the historically successful basketball organization. But, as someone who watches Lakers basketball on a regular basis this team is a significantly improved and fun to watch again. Their record may discourage some, but I can say that the loses the Lakers accumulate this season differ from the past.

For the most part, the Lakers are a competitive team and have demonstrated their experience by not being able to close out games when they have the lead late in the game. But! That right there is the difference! The team isn’t hopelessly being blown out by the other teams and that is where I make my case. Yes, it is a long shot, a prayer, and then some, but, excuse my short sightedness, LeBron James isn’t a Laker and free agency is never a guarantee to any player or organization. These current Lakers have a shot at the playoffs and that's something to get excited about.