*Official* English Football Season 2010-11

[Jarquis]

What exactly did we do wrong? He was out of contract/going to be, so we signed him. They're actively, publicly, incessantly tapping our captain up. Which is wrong.

 

[Uppercut]

I don't think you did anything wrong, personally. But when you nab a world-class Barcelona youth product for free because of a loophole in Spanish contract regulations it's just pathetic to cry foul when they try to get him back at the short expense of £30m. It's all fair game as far as I'm concerned. And you've got an insanely good deal out of it.

 

[Jarquis]

I wouldn't cry foul if they came in and went about negotiations in a proper matter. It's fair enough they want him back.
What I have an issue with is the blatant tapping up and constant interviews with the press. Such a Xavi and "Cesc's Barca DNA" or Puyol saying "I wouldn't say he's in prison but..." or the old "He's only on loan to Arsenal this season". STFU.
If you want him, go about it the proper way, make a bid and if we want to sell we'll negotiate. We won't be forced into it though. As far as I'm concerned, Barca can go choke on their own arrogance. Bunch of ****s.
Have basically treated Cesc like a commodity through this whole saga rather than a player, person or their supposed "friend".

 

[Ikki]

Reckon you've got to blame Cesc more than the others there. I don't think they would be making those comments had Cesc himself not communicated his feelings to them.

 

[Jarquis]

Nah, disagree. They've been trying the bully boy tactics since day one.
Look at the shirt incident, Cesc was hardly asking for it was he.

 

[Uppercut]

Cesc obviously doesn't mind so I don't see why you should mind on his behalf. He's your best player and you want him at your team, the feelings of the player aren't relevant.

 

[Jarquis]

Why should I mind what Barcelona are doing? Because it's illegal.
The Goon Blog | Proof of Barcelona’s tapping up campaign aimed at Cesc Fabregas

 

[Ikki]

What are Fifa supposed to do? Stop Barca players from talking about their Spanish teammate? If they can prove that Pep tried to negotiate without permission from Arsenal, that's a whole other thing.

Also I think it's really naive not to think Cesc doesn't want to go. The lad would be there in a heartbeat if he had a choice.

 

[Jarquis]

What are Fifa supposed to do? Stop Barca players from talking about their Spanish teammate? If they can prove that Pep tried to negotiate without permission from Arsenal, that's a whole other thing.

Also I think it's really naive not to think Cesc doesn't want to go. The lad would be there in a heartbeat if he had a choice.

1. Yes
2. Point out where I said otherwise.

 

[Ikki]

"Look at the shirt incident, Cesc was hardly asking for it was he."

I thought by that you meant that the Barca players were going out of their way, against his will, to ruffle Arsenal's feathers. I think Cesc has made it clear to them that he wants to be in Barca and since they love the guy they are just doing their part in making it known to the public that only Arsenal are standing in his way. Which is why I say the biggest culprit is Cesc himself IMO.

Also, what is illegal in Barca players praising Cesc or talking about their desire for him to join them? There is nothing illegal about that as far I know.

 

[Jarquis]

"Look at the shirt incident, Cesc was hardly asking for it was he."

I thought by that you meant that the Barca players were going out of their way, against his will, to ruffle Arsenal's feathers. I think Cesc has made it clear to them that he wants to be in Barca and since they love the guy they are just doing their part in making it known to the public that only Arsenal are standing in his way. Which is why I say the biggest culprit is Cesc himself IMO.

Also, what is illegal in Barca players praising Cesc or talking about their desire for him to join them? There is nothing illegal about that as far I know.

Well frankly IMO, Cesc looked pretty ashamed and uncomfortable during that incident. Of course he wants to go to Barca but he's still currently an Arsenal contracted player and Barcelona should have the maturity to respect that. Cesc has and he's said that depsite wanting to go to Barca, while he's still under contract he's an Arsenal player and wants to win things for the club. Barca should back the **** off.

Tapping up = attempting to persuade a player contracted to one to team to transfer to another without the knowledge and/or permission of the player's current team.
Matter of interpretation I guess, and whether you think the fact Cesc wants to go there is important or not. But you can't deny that Barcelona are trying to destabilise the relationship between Cesc and Arsenal, or the meeting between Guardiola and Cesc were Guardiola was just "checking on his Barca players in the Spanish squad" or when there was talk of them trying to get Cesc to evoke the rule where he can buy out the remainder of his contract. It's all illegal.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah look, Arse didn't break the rules and for my money Barca are.

 

[Uppercut]

That's for FIFA to decide. I think if it's concluded that players on international duty together can't tell one of their team-mates they'd like him to sign for their club it'll undermine tapping up regulations altogether.

At worst they're bending the rules. It might be technically illegal but it's unenforcable and, frankly, a bit ridiculous. Arsenal, meanwhile, were exploiting inherent weaknesses in them. Both are fine by me. In any case, I certainly don't think Arsenal have any right to whine.

 

[Jarquis]

Ffs I don't give a suit what was said in training camps. Organising interviews specifically for that purpose is entirely different though.

 

[roseboy64]

David James signs for Bristol City. Didn't see that one. Snubbing European football and more money from Sunderland and Celtic to be with his family.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah, fairly big coup for Brizzle that. Bet he didn't come cheap though.

 

[Furball]

David James signs for Bristol City. Didn't see that one. Snubbing European football and more money from Sunderland and Celtic to be with his family.

Sunderland aren't in Europe this season.

 

[Craig]

Sami Khedira joins Real Madrid.

 

[roseboy64]

Sunderland aren't in Europe this season.

I know that. Celtic are though.

 

[roseboy64]

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