2012/2013 English Premier League thread

[devo22]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

so it is official that Chelsea's complaint is that Atkinson was racist towards Obi Mikel

if it's not true, the club should be basically disbanded, they didn't like a referee's decisions and are trying to shame him and the FA to 'get back' at them

If it is true, Atkinson should never work as a referee again

it was Clattenburg ... but I agree 100%.

[d_phaneuf]

ya Clattenburg sorry, dono why I had Atkinson in my head

[Bagor]

So basically the accusations are he called Mikel a monkey which was overheard (apparently) by several Chelsea players during a heated game right in the middle of a kick it out campaign row and a match where their captain had been in their minds unfairly punished for racist behaviour and the racism issue was at the forefront.

And NONE of them reacted at all when they heard this? None?

Such discipline. Such restraint. Such composure.

Considering that all 4 officials are miked up this sounds like a simple case of interviewing the other 3 and studying footage.

.... and listening to Ashley Cole.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

so it is official that Chelsea's complaint is that Atkinson was racist towards Obi Mikel

if it's not true, the club should be basically disbanded, they didn't like a referee's decisions and are trying to shame him and the FA to 'get back' at them

If it is true, Atkinson should never work as a referee again

I cant believe that. It sounds far too false.

Edit: Clattenburg as Diane has admitted. Just for clarification.

[The Big Chill]

Great news for all of us:

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=408403

TSN will now have access to more then triple the amount of EPL games it has now, which means less watching crappy feeds on my computer!

[d_phaneuf]

Sportsnet announced as well

Both said 190 matches

which combined covers the entire season, the max amount of games at one time going on is 6 usually (except for the last day or mid-week rounds) so I wonder if TSN is going to add a 3rd channel to be able to show them all on TV or if Sportnet Regional will split them

Because right now the break down would be Sportsnet Regional, SN1, Sportsnet World, TSN, TSN2

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by devo22

it was Clattenburg ... but I agree 100%.

also I should add

Atkinson is terrible too, he can go with or without an FA charge

[Matty81]

That's gotta be the death knell for Sportsnet World, or at least force them to finally lower their pricing. When you can get half the games on another channel for free (and I'd guess a bunch more free on SN and SN1) who is going to buy it except hardcore rugby and Celtic/Rangers fans.

*Edit* I guess TSN isn't really free but you get the point

[Jimmy Stang]

Also broadcasting related, it appears that premierleaguelive.tv has come to an end. This was a service that I paid $15/month for and it was loosely affiliated with Sportsnet, but it was basically a direct way to watch every single Premier League game live, with the exception of ESPN/TSN owned games.

I went to log in this weekend and noticed that the site was no longer working, and then I noticed a reversal on my credit card for most of this past month's charge.

This is clearly because Sportsnet has unveiled their online product. The trouble is, to get the equivalent of what I was subscribing to before, I need to pay $199/year instead of $15x10 months, so already it will cost me $50 more. Although it is tempting to subscribe to the full service for $25/month because at least then I would get cricket and rugby as well, it just feels like I'm getting gouged either way.

Adding to my dilemma is that, since Norwich's return to the Premier League (and even before when I could get the occasional Championship game on TV), watching Norwich live has become a tradition in my house. My folks come around and bring breakfast and coffees, my buddy sometimes joins us, etc. That ritual alone is worth every penny, and I have become quite accustomed to being able to watch virtually every match live and legally.

So like a sucker I'll probably have to play right into Sportsnet's hands with this one.

Edit: But to add, it does look promising that there will be a nice split for between TSN and Sportsnet next year. So hopefully all of the games will be available either live or on a short delay without the need for any additional subscriptions. I wonder if the Premier League will keep increasing their Sunday and mid-week matches to ensure that more matches are televised live? Saturday afternoon football is a tradition in England though, and my cousins that live there even moan when the kickoff is one of the late times to accommodate television. As hockey fans, we're all used to games happening on all sorts of days at all sorts of times.

[Jimmy Stang]

Saw this posted on Twitter. It shows the Canadian rights holders for various leagues and competitions:

https://canadiansportsfan.wordpress....-who-has-what/

[d_phaneuf]

the annoying thing with sportsnet is that sportsnet world plus is free if you order the 15$ channel

which shows all the games going on live (if they aren't on SN1, SN, or TSN)

I really hope they do something like that going forward with Bell, Telus etc. for the games that aren't on the main networks

[Finny61]

I wish I could get a soccer version of MLB TV and the At Bat app. That must be what heaven would be like.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

the annoying thing with sportsnet is that sportsnet world plus is free if you order the 15$ channel

which shows all the games going on live (if they aren't on SN1, SN, or TSN)

I really hope they do something like that going forward with Bell, Telus etc. for the games that aren't on the main networks

this didn't make sense without this part, it's free on Rogers

which is only available in the East

[d_phaneuf]

possibly the greatest banner ever made put at the greatest venue it could be

Henry Winter ‏@henrywinter
#mufc fans unfurl banner that reads: "Clattenburg, Referee, Leader, Legend"

[Locke]

Okay, thats funny.

[d_phaneuf]

refs are trolling chelsea now, I hope it continues all season

that handball was right in front of the ref and no call

[cam_wmh]

Ok I'm going to take a crack at this.

* It's a conspiracy!
* The Ref is racist!
* The Ref cost us the game, with 2 penalties!!

Am I doing it right?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Ok I'm going to take a crack at this.

* It's a conspiracy!
* The Ref is racist!
* The Ref cost us the game, with 2 penalties!!

Am I doing it right?

Obviously Fergie didnt pay his tab from the last match. Hes lucky there isnt a horse's head in his bed.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Locke

Obviously Fergie didnt pay his tab from the last match. Hes lucky there isnt a horse's head in his bed.

You'd think Clattenburg would let that balance ride, considering how well Howard Webb's wallet has benefited?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

You'd think Clattenburg would let that balance ride, considering how well Howard Webb's wallet has benefited?

It depends, rumour is that they're contemplating a statue of Clattenburg outside Old Trafford. If thats in lieu of payment, no one knows.