The fantastic five

After watching the Socceroos sink to Oman in their most recent world cup qualifier, like most football lovers, I was furious. In my fury, I went over the the people I would drop from the team, then it dawned on me, who would replace them?

Well lucky for Australia the night scape that is Australian football has a few stars in the distance. With players such as Iain Ramsay, Mustafa Amini, Terry Antonis, Nikita Rukavytsya and Dario Vidosic just to name a few. Within this core of players, hosts a pool of excitement and youth who are ready to express themselves on the world stage.



Iain Ramsay is a 23-year-old left midfielder applying his trade for Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League. Iain Ramsay is much regarded in Adelaide as their biggest and brightest starlet, with him sparkling for the Reds more often than not. Ramsay relies on his quick feet and unbelievable ball control to skip past and humiliate defenders. Ramsay is very much a box to box midfielder, much in the mould of Brett Emerton, but it is apparent that Ramsay is the flashy version. As of yet, the green and gold has eluded Ramsay. But with the way he is playing at the moment, it seems inevitable that he will get the call up.



Nikita Rukavytsya is a 24 year-old winger who is playing abroad for Bundesliga new-boys Bertha BSC. Nikita, in my opinion, is one of, if not the most, exciting prospect in Australian football at the moment. With blistering pace, two feet and deadly finishing he is a true weapon. Rukavytsya was an integral part of Bertha BSC's promotion to the Bundesliga last year. Rukavytsya accumulated 13 goal assists, which was equal first in the competition, and chipped in 4 goal as well. Unbelivably, Rukavytsya's last international appearances were off the bench, in 2 of the Australia's 2010 World Cup matches.

The large haired centre attacking midfielder, Mustafa Amini, is quite a character and a tremendous footballer. Amini made a name for himself by being an essential part to the attack for the Central Coast Mariners. It was not long before others realised his amazing potential, with him swiftly picked up by reigning Bundesliga Champions, Borussia Dortmund. With this midfield maestro retaining the ability to cut a defence to peices with his precision passing, it is not a surprise he is hot properly. Much like the Ramsay, Amini is yet to taste the green and gold other than in the junior ranks. However, it is a well known fact the Holger Osieck is a fan of Amini's, so his inclusion may not be too far away.



Adelaide new-boy, Dario Vidosic, is also an exciting prospect, the 24 year-old attacking midfielder has experience abroad. Vidosic has played a major part of his career in Germany, but has returned home to possibly cement a Socceroos position. Amazingly, like Rukavytsya, he has only ever featured twice for the Socceroos. His pace and aerial presence are frightening for all defences, mix this with his acute football IQ, he could easily become destructive force for the Socceroos.

Terry Antonis.

Finally, the youngest of the pentagon named earlier, and possibly the most exciting prospect, Terry Antonis. Antonis is only 17 years-old, but plays beyond his years, he is a fiery competitor with a real appetite for getting forward and does not mind a bit of physical defense. It seems Antonis is the perfect build for the Socceroos game, with him being hard as nails and also very technically gifted. Antonis was signed by Everton on a 5-year contract at the age of 14, but his contract was terminated due to FIFA's rules on overseas transfers of players under the age of 18. A reunion with Everton is set to happen once he turns 18, that is of course if other circling clubs, Inter Milan and Marseille, don't lure him away.

It is clear there is a plethora of talent waiting for their shot, it's now in Football Federation Australia's hands to nurture and indeed give the opportunities to these young talents. It is imperative that this happens because the likes of Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton wont be around for much longer. If Australia is serious about them being a top quality world-class team, they must make the steps now to secure the future.

Derby Day Approaches!

It has finally arrived upon us, the Manchester Derby, Red Vs Blue, Big Brother Vs Little Brother. In recent years the derby hasn't meant much to United or in fact United fans. City were not a force and the result was rarely in doubt, and even if City did manage to win it was nothing according to the Red Side of Manchester. But times have changed, the little weak brother is no longer so, the noisy neighbors now pose a threat and if you ask the Blue side, this game will be the changing of the guard and the start of a new era.

All factors point to City being successful in the Premier League and in fact most competitions, however it's still painfully clear that United are every one's favorites for the Premiership and rightly so, they have the second  if not the best manager in the world in Sir Alex Ferguson. A good mix of the zeal of the young and wisdom of the old and world class striker who is in good form when he is not being shown red. But most of all they have trophies, lots of them, they have done it before where as City haven't.

As a City supporter I have been waiting for this day since the Community Shield where everyone knows the cruel fate City endured. I'm packed to the brim with pride and excitement, now is the time for us to prove our worth and fire back. However there is a small sector of fear within, knowing that if City do indeed fall short the banter will be endless. The repetitive news line "money can't this money can't that" will echo through the media for days. (For me that is the most frustrating line, of course they haven't done much yet they have only been building for 2 and a half to three years, you don't win trophies overnight.).

Manchester United will enter this encounter favorites, which, bias a side I find an unfair statement. After both sides have played 8 games Manchester City find themselves ahead by 2 points only drawing one game against Fulham where they surrendered a 2 goal lead at Craven Cottage. Now one point in favour of  Manchester United is they have played Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal (which I don't think counts) but they haven't been impressive in their last 3 outings. They have drawn with stoke, they beat Nowrich 2-0 despite Nowrich dominating and having the best two chances of the game and they escaped with a draw against Liverpool scoring in the 80's. Where as City have won their last three by 9 goals accumulated. Another factor which plays into the hands of United is that the game is indeed at Old Trafford but so was the Community Shield which saw City again squander a 2 goal lead with United pinching the win in the 91st through a freak accident which will not happen again. City were also without Aguero and Nasri for that fixture, so I I'm not sure United deserve their favorites tag for this game.

Another reason I feel united are 'favorites' is because of the stigma City have received. City has come across some wealth in the last few years and has bought big in the transfer market and as a result has seen some success. As you would imagine this is to the discomfort of other clubs who are not as financially blessed and so supporters of other clubs who are indeed jealous have started ridiculing them for spending the money. These other supporters are acting as if they would not spend the money if it was available is absurd and childish. However all of this probably plays into City's hands as all they have known is the underdog tag, no one expects them to win and it's safe to say only the blue side wants them to win. So I say this the pressure is on YOU Manchester United players and fans, YOUR the great mighty club put us in OUR place. As you may have guessed I'm backing City in this one to win 2-1 and silence the critics and naysayers. Well at least I hope. CTID.

Fair play, that's Sepp's game

It would be safe to say football is loved around the globe, some may call it the 'beautiful game' and on the outside it is. However the inside has a putrid stench, the stench of decay and the disease at the center is Sepp Blatter, the president of international football's governing body FIFA. Unless you have been living under a rock for the past 13 years of his reign, you would be well aware of the foul play that he dabbles in on a regular basis, if not, then you're about to find out. With a rap sheet any crime boss would be proud of, somehow the footballing world has let him get away with crimes against the game, most of which I will dissect for you.


From the very start of Blatter's endeavours to become the top dog of world football, it was blatantly apparent that this man was not one of integrity, with two members of FIFA claiming bribery attempts from the slippery Swiss. Both Farra Ado, vice-president of the Confederation of African Football and the president of the Somali Football Federation have claimed to have been offered up to $100,000 to vote for Blatter in 1998 in addition to the 2002 accusations of 'financial irregularities and backroom dealings'.


After catching wind of the allegations, FIFA's secretary-general, Blatter's deputy and once 'apprentice' Michel Zen-Ruffinen, composed a 30 page dossier summarizing the corruption within FIFA. The dossier claimed that the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner ISL, had headed losses of up to $100 million, strangely enough no one knows where this outrageous amount of money had got to, some say he donated it to charity, some say it was an innocent mistake but most would presume it funded his yacht. As a result of the allegations being backed by numerous other members, the dossier was handed on to the Swiss police. However Sepp, being the innocent soul he is, was cleared of any wrong doing and FIFA had to pay all the costs. After this Mr Blatter also halted an internal inquiry of FIFA because members of it 'broke confidentiality' agreements. Needless to say Michel Zen-Ruffinen was removed from office, immediately. 


Let me lay the scene for you, it's December 2nd 2010, Sepp Blatter is about to announce the successful candidates to host the 2018 and 2022 world cups to a packed crowd in Zurich. After last ditch attempts to win votes from Prince William, David Beckham, Morgan Freman and Bill Clinton, Sepp's squad of 24 (which was cut down to 22 by the way for trying to sell their vote's to undercover journalists) had indeed come to their decisions.  Drum roll please... and your winners are Russia and Qatar! Release the streamers, balloons and go-go dancers.


 As the verdict came out the arena fell silent and then a small groan of 'Umm what?' echoed through Zurich. The  camera panned across the crowd, there was a sea of confused faces, scratching their heads and a small contingent of celebrating Russians and some dancing Qatari oil merchants. Days prior to the vote, there were rumours floating around that it was going to be fixed with reports two members demanded hundreds of thousands of dollars for their votes. They claimed to build a Youth Academy in Auckland, New Zealand and four artificial fields in Nigeria but they requested the money be given to them, personally. It was the world's biggest underdog story, little Qatar, which 84 percent of the population hadn't heard of before, has beaten the United States, England and Australia, despite their far superior fan bases, better facilities and superior playing conditions (the heat in Qatar had already been cited by FIFA and deemed to be too hot. Thus it would not be safe for players, officials and spectators). 


Not only had little old Qatar beaten the big three, they had obliterated them, with Australia and the United States earning one vote each and England who had the best poised bid recieving two. It has been publicly noted that Qatar had bought the World Cup and the speculation bubbled over when an overly happy Blatter commented after the decision, 'I'm a very happy President!'. This year there was another FIFA president election, with the incumbent Blatter set to run for his fourth consecutive term in charge. Conveniently the only other candidate was the Qatari Mohammed Bin Hammam who for 'personal reasons' dropped out of the race, oh and did I mention he is from Qatar and backed Blatter in 1998 and 2002, but that's normal... isn't it?


So if you knew about Sepp before this, I have just hardened your stance on his dictatorship, if you didn't, I hope to have opened your eyes. I have told you what is wrong with FIFA but I cannot provide the fix, that's because there isn't one that I can see. Blatter is far too rich and has planted his poisonous roots way down into FIFA's core. The only thing we can do is sit back and watch what was lost among all of this rubbish, the football.

The Ugly Side Of The Beautiful Game.

As time has gone, generations passed and knowledge extended, racism be it still ever present it has slowed in the general community. We would all agree that racism has no place in the community or on any front be it in the street, shops, the work place or at sporting events. Still yet players and in fact people must put up with and turn a blind eye to the populous who persist in being vulgar and hurtful.


But this being a football column we will focus on events in football. Racism isn't just targeted at the players, it is against managers, officials, supporters and even as far as family members of the listed. Below some of these events are listed: 

• • Zola Matumona left FC Brussels after accusations that club Chairman Johan Vermeersch was quoted to say "Think about other things than trees and bananas."
  • In 1994 now mega star shot stopper Julio Cesar was denied entry to a German Nightclub during his stay at Borussia Dortmund for the complexion of his skin.
  • In March 2006 in a match between FC Sachen Leipzig and Hallescher FC Liepzig's Nigerian player Adebowale Ogunbure was spat at and called a 'Nigger' and an 'ape' by opposition supporters. In retaliation he put two fingers to his lips and saluted the crowd, a well known Adolf Hitler gesture. Ogunbure was arrested after the game as Nazi gestures are illegal in Germany.
  • February 2011 Roberto Carlos received a pass from his goalkeeper and just as he was about to pass it off a Banana was thrown on the pitch and landed by him, he picked it up and tossed it over the sideline and walked off the pitch before the final whistle raising two fingers indicating this is the second time it has happened.
  • Felix Dja Ettien played for Levante and claimed racial abuse through out his stay at the Spanish club. He was ignored by his coach because of his inability to speak Spanish and whenever he was sick was accused of having ' AIDS' or ' Malaria'
  • In 2005 while star striker Samuel Eto'o was playing for Barcelona he was a subject to racial abuse in an away game against Real Zaragoza. The Real fans would make monkey noises every time Eto'o gained possession of the ball and threw peanuts onto the pitch. Eto'o went to leave the ground mid game but was calmed down by fellow players and match officials. After the Game the referee said there was nothing to report during the game and the treatment was normal. The following year he was greeted by the same jeering and Eto'o protested and walked to the sideline and has been seen quoting ' No Mas ' (No More) Eto'o now refuses to take his children to games due to the abuse.
  • In 2004 Ron Atkinson a famous Football pundit was caught red-faced and handed live on air making a remark when he thought the microphone was off about the African orientated player Marcel Desailly. Atkinson was caught saying ' he [Desailly] is what is known in some schools as a lazy thick nigger '
  • Following Israeli Manger Avram Grant appointment to West ham in 2007 Grant has been the subject of anti-Semitic taunts from some Chelsea supporters. Grant's father was a Polish survivor of the German Nazi Holocaust. It's well noted that Grant has also received death threats and anti-Semitic post.
  • Mario Balotelli was also racially abused by Juventus and ironically Intermilan supporters during his stint at Intermilan. A well documented incident is after Intermilan racially abused Balotelli he scored the match winning goal and put his fingers to his lips indicating for the crowd to hush. As he left the pitch he took off his Intermilan jersey and left it on the pitch in protest.
  • In 2011 a section of Arsenal support mocked the killing of three members of the Togo camp during the African Cup of Nations last January, which Adebayor survived in Arsenals 2-1 defeat to rivals Tottenham. 

Rangers Players Promoting Awareness

But it's not all bad, there are things in practice to make football a more hospitable place with the  ' Show Racism The Red Card ' charity which was established in England in 1996. The charity produces educational resources such as DVDs, education packs, magazines, and posters. There are also notable members such as - Sol Campbell, Robbie Earle, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Shay Given, Thierry Henry and Shaka Hislop.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous incidents and problems still going on today in society and football and clearly it is unwanted. But there are practices in play to make the football experience and society in regards to racism a better place. Hopefully one day we can appreciate the beautiful game with out so much background noise.