Redcanuck

No, the slant of the political agenda and whether I agreed or not is not the issue. I believe that to win at that level you need to be fully focused on the matter at hand, which is winning the World Cup. Their attention and focus were divided, it hurt their preparation for the tournament and impacted how they played. It wasn't the only reason they lost but it played a part. The Americans weren't the only team to have similar issues, here in Canada, the women's team were pushing some of the same issues. They actually went on strike a few months before the World Cup and only ended their strike when faced with legal action. Both Canada and the USA massively under preformed at this World Cup and their needs to be an autopsy of why.

Yes I did have the same criticism for Rashford. I support the cause he was promoting, but felt that his political activism had an impact on his form. Quite frankly he was crap during that stage and only improved when he spent less time on social issues and became more focused on football. He needed to find a balance and I assume that was what happened.

No Rapinoe and some of the others on the American team put their own political agenda ahead of representing their country and playing football. They were unfocused , and partial pre occupied with matters of the pitch and it showed in their play. They were lucky to get out of the group stage and only played well in their last game after the criticism back home grew to be too much to ignore.

I did say that sports should be a form of escapism from everyday life and not a platform for social, political or religious opinion. The problem with Rapinoe and others on that team is that they are more interested in making political and social statements than winning football games. This US team were probably the most talented team at the World Cup , yet they went out very early. Part of the reason was because they didnt focus entirely on football, they spend too much energy on things off the pitch. Even in defeat in her post game interview Rapinoe's emphasis is how they changed society rather than football.

There are now NIL rights,( Name, Image and Likeness) in college sports, some if the football players are making big money.

Stanley Mathews never earned more than 50 pounds a week, and he was still playing for Stoke when I first started watching football. They played for the love of the game and the average player would have had a second job. Women sports have to put in the time, ask me another 20 years if I am still alive and I will probably agree that they should get massive salaries.

Nobody does. But they will never reach pay parity with the Men's game.

I think they are, or close to it and they don't generate anywhere near the amount of revenue to justify it.

Politics aside, and I admit I am on the opposite end of the political spectrum than Rapinoe but sport should be an escapism from the realities of every day life. It shouldn't be used as a platform to give political, social or religious opinions, even if it's one's I am in agreement with. Sports in general should follow F1 who announced a ban last December on “the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments” by participants without the permission of the governing body.

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She's a left wing c**t.

Extremely happy Rapinoe missed her penalty.

I don't think I like all you guys predicting Sheffield Wednesday to go down. They won't finish anywhere near the top but they won't go down, finishing around 18 to 20th.

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I understand that the victim's testimony in a rape trail is usually the most important evidence, but in this case don't you think the photos and the tape are damning enough? Also can the CPS read her previous witness statements into the record at a trial even if she doesn't want them to?

In this case I believe that the pictures and the tape would be enough to get a conviction. Providing they haven't been photo shopped or doctored in anyway.

I thought that was in idea in football as well. They just don't seem to enforce it though.

It's a question for a lawyer, which I am not, but the pictures and the tape were publicized by the media, doesn't that make them part of the public record? Also I belive the CPS can read the statement or statements she has already given into the record at the trial whether she testifies or not.

The bolded part isn't true. The fact that the victim wouldn't testify anymore is irrelevant and unfortunately not that uncommon. If the photos and the tape are genuine there is enough evidence to try him and convict him. A prosecutor doesn't need the victim to testify if they have enough evidence to convict without their testimony. The CPS are also legally obligated to take this to trail if they are given or find enough evidence. It seems to me that it was the discovery of new material that led the CPS to feel there was little or no chance of a conviction. However, what that new material is, is anybody guess. Without knowing all the facts you run the risk of destroying his career unjustly.

I stand tby the concept of innocent til proven guilty, it's the corner stone of our judicial system. All charges have been dropped, he's not been found guilty , so under the law he is innocent. However, unless we are told what the new material that came to light is, that meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction, it's hard to make an informed decision. There is always going to be doubt and the CPS are doing everybody a disservice by keeping this new material secret, especially if it casts doubt on the authenticity of the pictures and the audio tape.

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I haven't taken the time to research how the FFP rules impact United, and might not understand them if I did, but I have seen it said that if United sell him for less than 30m it impacts United negatively regarding FFP rules.

Funny. But it's pretty worrisome that people can change what you said.

I have heard 35m.

You wouldn't think so given they were playing Real Madrid the next day. It depends on the marketing in San Diego. They might have suggested that United would split their squad for the two games. I haven't heard about anybody who attended the game complaining.