Mike Keegan @MikeKeegan_DM · 18m EXCLUSIVE: Ed Woodward held emergency briefing with 'seriously unimpressed' Manchester United players at Carrington this morning. - Some angered they found out about ESL via media - Belief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was thrown under bus & left to face press
There's a lot of England players in that squad who will be seriously concerned about whether they will be at the Euros or not.
Of course they will be at the Euros. Nobody is talking about punishing players before the Super League launches and, if it ever happens (spoiler - it won't), that wouldn't be before 2023.
The players' concerns won't be about international competitions in the short term. They will worry about the longer term; they will have heard from friends and family who loathe the idea; they won't like it themselves; and the smarter ones will realise it's very bad for their wages in the longer term (the big bucks come from extreme incentives for clubs to make the top four, which the ESL would remove).
I thought the stated launch date was August?
Firstly, that doesn't affect the Euros. Secondly, will it balls launch in August.
Edit: the statement also refers to "an August start" not August 2021 - i.e. the matches will begin at the same time as domestic league seasons, not that it will start this summer. Indeed, the separate briefings refer to 2022 (cobblers) or 2023.
It will launch this year, or not at all.
A year without revenues or games for an Arsenal or Spurs would be an utter disaster.
They wouldn't be kicked out of competition pre-emptively. It isn't a breach of any rules to consider leaving a club, and ganging up to expel them for thought crimes won't fly under competition law.
I don't think this thing will happen at all - fully agree with Anabobazini on that. But I guarantee you that there won't be a situation where they are chucked out before a ball is kicked in the Super League - that's a non-starter.
That's very confident of you.
There's an Extraordinary General Meeting of UEFA on Friday when, so it is being reported, the three respective semi finalists (Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid) will be pre-emptively expelled from the upcoming Champions League semi-finals. Leaving just PSG.
Jesper Moller, head of the Danish FA, told broadcaster DR: "The clubs must go, and I expect that to happen on Friday. Then we have to find out how to finish (this season's) Champions League tournament."
I don't agree with those of you saying this won't happen. I think it will. It's Kerry Packer all over again and now they've set out their stall they will go for it.
The great unknown is can you play in an international (European) league not sanctioned by UEFA / FIFA while also playing in a national league that is sanctioned by UEFA?
I suspect the answer is that you can't
Indeed. And that should be a tricky one for the national leagues to think about. If they DO expel them then they are consigning their own leagues to second rate. But will they swallow their pride and allow them to have their cake and eat it? Probably not.
It's a hell of a mess. Got to say that UEFA also partly brought this on themselves by mucking up the European competitions.
BMI isn't entirely reliable of course but its a reasonable average rule of thumb.
11.5 stone is BMI 23.8 which is in the "healthy" range. 14.5 stone is BMI 29 which is in the "overweight" range. Most adults in this country are overweight. 17.5 stone is BMI 36.2 which is in the "obese" range. 28% of adults in this country are obese.
To be "morbidly obese" would require a weight of 19 stone 4 lbs. Nearly 2 more stone than said.
You're getting there. Now redo with his real height and you will be there. The 17.5 was a lie. He was "bigging himself up". And the reason for it was as I stated.
JFC - he's attacking Liverpool fans. Good God, I hope he has good security at home.
What did he say?
Basically not happy that the fans are taking down banners. His view is that they need to stick together at times like this and says that he and the players are not to blame.
So he wants to stick together with the fans and is saying he's not to blame, ie the owners are to blame?
Sounds reasonable.
They should have refused to play tonight.
That's not an option, be realistic.
They're multi millionaires. They have so much power. They can put a stop to it.
Tuchel was equally pathetic in his press conference today.
They'd be fired for gross misconduct if they didn't play.
Be realistic that's not an option.
From the sounds of it Klopp explicitly didn't back the owners tonight, didn't support the idea, and basically said "he's not to blame" (ie the owners are to blame). Which is about as far as an employee of a business can realistically go in undermining their employer.
The Super League has shocked lots of people but it's been brewing for many years. Big clubs stopped being local years ago. Even though there are academies most players and managers don't come from the vicinities of their clubs and a lot of supporters nowadays don't either, especially considering the global fan bases.
I'm not supportive of the commercialisation of football* but the Super League is logical and for those clubs it's probably commercially sensible. It also has little to do with the Government who should keep out of this. Unless you're a Corbynite we're supposed to live in a free market economy. And that's what this is. It's business I'm afraid. I know it's appalling but the time to complain was when their clubs got taken over by massive overseas investors, not now.
* For the record, I gave up my season ticket two years ago when I saw how commercial my beloved club had gone. But this Super League is in many ways just the logical extension of that process which began a long time ago.
I believe in competition - which means no club has a right to always be in the league. Currently you will have a situation where there are 20 clubs and the 4th and 5th placed teams are facing relegation....
It's either that or this season's guest stars are....
I don't disagree but seeing it from the POV of the 15, they are going for broke with a huge gamble, taking themselves away from every existing structure and possibly consigning their players to Super League only football. (By the way that really IS so very Kerry Packer WSC).
So I kind of get it that the 15 want to be sure they stay put. Which leaves 5 to fight it out each season. I agree that's going to be a bit weird. And might they get punished if they participate?
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that he was not involved in the club’s decision to join a breakaway European Super League.
On Sunday, Liverpool announced that they were one of 12 ‘founding members’ of a new breakaway Super League tournament.
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League and said ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League match at Leeds United that his opinion “had not changed”.
“My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past],” he said. “I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.”
What has Klopp said?
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League.
“My feelings didn't change,” he added. “My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past]. I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.
Klopp said on Monday that he was not involved in Liverpool’s decision to join the Super League.
"We got some information, not a lot,” he said. “Most of the things in the newspapers. It's a tough one. People are not happy with it, I can understand it. I can't say a lot more because we were not involved in the process - not the players, not me - we didn't know about it. We will have to wait how it develops.”
Klopp added that he liked the competitive balance of the existing UEFA Champions League.
“I'm 53. Since I've been in professional football, the Champions League has been there,” he added. “My aim was always to coach a team there. I have no issues with the Champions League.
“I like the competitive aspect of football. I like that West Ham might play in the Champions League. I don't want them to because we want to but I like they have the chance. What can I say? It's not easy.
“What I want to say as well, I've heard a few things but what I really don't like, Liverpool football club is much more than some decisions. The most important part of football are the supporters and the team. We have to make sure nothing gets between that. I've heard there are banners but the players didn't do anything wrong. We have to all stick together. We can show nobody has to walk alone in these moments. There are things to sort but nothing to do with the football or the relationship between the supporters and the team.
“In tough times you have to show you stick together. It doesn't mean you have to agree with everything but again the boys did nothing wrong. I want to make sure everyone knows that.”
JFC - he's attacking Liverpool fans. Good God, I hope he has good security at home.
What did he say?
Basically not happy that the fans are taking down banners. His view is that they need to stick together at times like this and says that he and the players are not to blame.
So he wants to stick together with the fans and is saying he's not to blame, ie the owners are to blame?
Sounds reasonable.
They should have refused to play tonight.
That's not an option, be realistic.
They're multi millionaires. They have so much power. They can put a stop to it.
Tuchel was equally pathetic in his press conference today.
They'd be fired for gross misconduct if they didn't play.
Be realistic that's not an option.
From the sounds of it Klopp explicitly didn't back the owners tonight, didn't support the idea, and basically said "he's not to blame" (ie the owners are to blame). Which is about as far as an employee of a business can realistically go in undermining their employer.
Well, if Liverpool wants to sack its players, that would really add to the value of the club!
Mike Keegan @MikeKeegan_DM · 18m EXCLUSIVE: Ed Woodward held emergency briefing with 'seriously unimpressed' Manchester United players at Carrington this morning. - Some angered they found out about ESL via media - Belief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was thrown under bus & left to face press
There's a lot of England players in that squad who will be seriously concerned about whether they will be at the Euros or not.
Of course they will be at the Euros. Nobody is talking about punishing players before the Super League launches and, if it ever happens (spoiler - it won't), that wouldn't be before 2023.
The players' concerns won't be about international competitions in the short term. They will worry about the longer term; they will have heard from friends and family who loathe the idea; they won't like it themselves; and the smarter ones will realise it's very bad for their wages in the longer term (the big bucks come from extreme incentives for clubs to make the top four, which the ESL would remove).
I thought the stated launch date was August?
Firstly, that doesn't affect the Euros. Secondly, will it balls launch in August.
Edit: the statement also refers to "an August start" not August 2021 - i.e. the matches will begin at the same time as domestic league seasons, not that it will start this summer. Indeed, the separate briefings refer to 2022 (cobblers) or 2023.
It will launch this year, or not at all.
A year without revenues or games for an Arsenal or Spurs would be an utter disaster.
They wouldn't be kicked out of competition pre-emptively. It isn't a breach of any rules to consider leaving a club, and ganging up to expel them for thought crimes won't fly under competition law.
I don't think this thing will happen at all - fully agree with Anabobazini on that. But I guarantee you that there won't be a situation where they are chucked out before a ball is kicked in the Super League - that's a non-starter.
That's very confident of you.
There's an Extraordinary General Meeting of UEFA on Friday when, so it is being reported, the three respective semi finalists (Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid) will be pre-emptively expelled from the upcoming Champions League semi-finals. Leaving just PSG.
Jesper Moller, head of the Danish FA, told broadcaster DR: "The clubs must go, and I expect that to happen on Friday. Then we have to find out how to finish (this season's) Champions League tournament."
I don't agree with those of you saying this won't happen. I think it will. It's Kerry Packer all over again and now they've set out their stall they will go for it.
The great unknown is can you play in an international (European) league not sanctioned by UEFA / FIFA while also playing in a national league that is sanctioned by UEFA?
I suspect the answer is that you can't
Indeed. And that should be a tricky one for the national leagues to think about. If they DO expel them then they are consigning their own leagues to second rate. But will they swallow their pride and allow them to have their cake and eat it? Probably not.
It's a hell of a mess. Got to say that UEFA also partly brought this on themselves by mucking up the European competitions.
I think the issue will be that they can't allow the teams to play but would want the cover UEFA / FIFA offer them as they are removed from the competition.
I have little doubt this is going to end badly for absolutely everyone.
The Super League has shocked lots of people but it's been brewing for many years. Big clubs stopped being local years ago. Even though there are academies most players and managers don't come from the vicinities of their clubs and a lot of supporters nowadays don't either, especially considering the global fan bases.
I'm not supportive of the commercialisation of football* but the Super League is logical and for those clubs it's probably commercially sensible. It also has little to do with the Government who should keep out of this. Unless you're a Corbynite we're supposed to live in a free market economy. And that's what this is. It's business I'm afraid. I know it's appalling but the time to complain was when their clubs got taken over by massive overseas investors, not now.
* For the record, I gave up my season ticket two years ago when I saw how commercial my beloved club had gone. But this Super League is in many ways just the logical extension of that process which began a long time ago.
I believe in competition - which means no club has a right to always be in the league. Currently you will have a situation where there are 20 clubs and the 4th and 5th placed teams are facing relegation....
It's either that or this season's guest stars are....
I don't disagree but seeing it from the POV of the 15, they are going for broke with a huge gamble, taking themselves away from every existing structure and possibly consigning their players to Super League only football. (By the way that really IS so very Kerry Packer WSC).
So I kind of get it that the 15 want to be sure they stay put. Which leaves 5 to fight it out each season. I agree that's going to be a bit weird. And might they get punished if they participate?
You say that, but the breakaway clubs insist that they will still play in the existing leagues and this isn't a challenge to any of the existing structure. They can't have it both ways.
BMI isn't entirely reliable of course but its a reasonable average rule of thumb.
11.5 stone is BMI 23.8 which is in the "healthy" range. 14.5 stone is BMI 29 which is in the "overweight" range. Most adults in this country are overweight. 17.5 stone is BMI 36.2 which is in the "obese" range. 28% of adults in this country are obese.
To be "morbidly obese" would require a weight of 19 stone 4 lbs. Nearly 2 more stone than said.
You're getting there. Now redo with his real height and you will be there. The 17.5 was a lie. He was "bigging himself up". And the reason for it was as I stated.
At EU leaders photos he's taller than Viktor Orban who is 5'8". He's taller than Macron too.
I do not believe for one second that 17.5 was a lie. I don't think you comprehend just how much weight much of the nation is carrying on them, I think you're delusional if you think 17.5 stone is "gross".
Have you ever been obese yourself? Did you ever realise just how much weight it takes to be "obese"? Now bear in mind that more than one in four British adults are obese.
At his heaviest would you think that Johnson is one of those one in four who are obese? I would, wouldn't you?
Mike Keegan @MikeKeegan_DM · 18m EXCLUSIVE: Ed Woodward held emergency briefing with 'seriously unimpressed' Manchester United players at Carrington this morning. - Some angered they found out about ESL via media - Belief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was thrown under bus & left to face press
The Ed Woodward who used to work at JP Morgan? Who advised the Glazers on their acquisition? Who then went to work for the Glazers? That Ed Woodward? Yes, the very same.
Amazing.
I wonder how JP Morgan are planning to fund all this. Selling bonds or some other packaged security instrument on the back of it all I imagine.
JP Morgan will fund this by placing a big bet on West Ham to win the Premier League, which it will do once the others have been slung out or sacked their managers or all the players.
The 6 English clubs seem to think that the football world revolves around them and that supporters will just moan for a week and then just accept this football non-competition.
If the 6 clubs think the supporters will just put up with this crap then they’re clearly delusional !
I know this bit is going to make you fume but they apparently see people like you and me as 'legacy fans' (a phrase which emerged this morning).
The big bosses don't particularly care about us. They're after the millions of fans around the world in places like Asia and the emerging market of America.
I know, I know. It's sick. But as I said, the time to complain was when the likes of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyantook over Man City or Roman Abramovitch, Chelsea or Stanley Kroenke, Arsenal. For years "supporters" of these clubs were perfectly happy to put up with these owners so long as the glory glory of glittering trophies were delivered.
But these people are huge business operators. They know that there's a massive global market to tap for money and, I know it's shit, but your average fan wandering up the Seven Sisters road doesn't matter so much to them.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that he was not involved in the club’s decision to join a breakaway European Super League.
On Sunday, Liverpool announced that they were one of 12 ‘founding members’ of a new breakaway Super League tournament.
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League and said ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League match at Leeds United that his opinion “had not changed”.
“My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past],” he said. “I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.”
What has Klopp said?
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League.
“My feelings didn't change,” he added. “My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past]. I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.
Klopp said on Monday that he was not involved in Liverpool’s decision to join the Super League.
"We got some information, not a lot,” he said. “Most of the things in the newspapers. It's a tough one. People are not happy with it, I can understand it. I can't say a lot more because we were not involved in the process - not the players, not me - we didn't know about it. We will have to wait how it develops.”
Klopp added that he liked the competitive balance of the existing UEFA Champions League.
“I'm 53. Since I've been in professional football, the Champions League has been there,” he added. “My aim was always to coach a team there. I have no issues with the Champions League.
“I like the competitive aspect of football. I like that West Ham might play in the Champions League. I don't want them to because we want to but I like they have the chance. What can I say? It's not easy.
“What I want to say as well, I've heard a few things but what I really don't like, Liverpool football club is much more than some decisions. The most important part of football are the supporters and the team. We have to make sure nothing gets between that. I've heard there are banners but the players didn't do anything wrong. We have to all stick together. We can show nobody has to walk alone in these moments. There are things to sort but nothing to do with the football or the relationship between the supporters and the team.
“In tough times you have to show you stick together. It doesn't mean you have to agree with everything but again the boys did nothing wrong. I want to make sure everyone knows that.”
I don't see what tlg is objecting to there, sounds entirely reasonable and he's making his position even clearer than I expected. I thought he might be more "tactful" than that.
He's pretty much flat out said he opposes what his employer is doing. Good for him!
Call me old fashioned but I quite liked the set up years ago with Uefa Cup, Cup Winners Cup and European Cup . They all had a distinction and personality of their own . I accept the world has changed re football but the SL is a red line that has been crossed . The smugness and greed of the whole thing is vomit inducing , and in the statement to launch this abomination they tried to make out they were doing it for the fans !
Mike Keegan @MikeKeegan_DM · 18m EXCLUSIVE: Ed Woodward held emergency briefing with 'seriously unimpressed' Manchester United players at Carrington this morning. - Some angered they found out about ESL via media - Belief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was thrown under bus & left to face press
There's a lot of England players in that squad who will be seriously concerned about whether they will be at the Euros or not.
Of course they will be at the Euros. Nobody is talking about punishing players before the Super League launches and, if it ever happens (spoiler - it won't), that wouldn't be before 2023.
The players' concerns won't be about international competitions in the short term. They will worry about the longer term; they will have heard from friends and family who loathe the idea; they won't like it themselves; and the smarter ones will realise it's very bad for their wages in the longer term (the big bucks come from extreme incentives for clubs to make the top four, which the ESL would remove).
I thought the stated launch date was August?
Firstly, that doesn't affect the Euros. Secondly, will it balls launch in August.
Edit: the statement also refers to "an August start" not August 2021 - i.e. the matches will begin at the same time as domestic league seasons, not that it will start this summer. Indeed, the separate briefings refer to 2022 (cobblers) or 2023.
It will launch this year, or not at all.
A year without revenues or games for an Arsenal or Spurs would be an utter disaster.
They wouldn't be kicked out of competition pre-emptively. It isn't a breach of any rules to consider leaving a club, and ganging up to expel them for thought crimes won't fly under competition law.
I don't think this thing will happen at all - fully agree with Anabobazini on that. But I guarantee you that there won't be a situation where they are chucked out before a ball is kicked in the Super League - that's a non-starter.
That's very confident of you.
There's an Extraordinary General Meeting of UEFA on Friday when, so it is being reported, the three respective semi finalists (Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid) will be pre-emptively expelled from the upcoming Champions League semi-finals. Leaving just PSG.
Jesper Moller, head of the Danish FA, told broadcaster DR: "The clubs must go, and I expect that to happen on Friday. Then we have to find out how to finish (this season's) Champions League tournament."
I don't agree with those of you saying this won't happen. I think it will. It's Kerry Packer all over again and now they've set out their stall they will go for it.
The great unknown is can you play in an international (European) league not sanctioned by UEFA / FIFA while also playing in a national league that is sanctioned by UEFA?
I suspect the answer is that you can't
Indeed. And that should be a tricky one for the national leagues to think about. If they DO expel them then they are consigning their own leagues to second rate.
Not necessarily. The first team players at all these big clubs are mostly very wealthy and can quite realistically afford both not to be paid for a while and to wheel out expensive contract lawyers. I mean, what kind of obligation are the players under to keep working if the teams are either expelled for rule breaking or elect to withdraw from their existing leagues? Are any of them obliged to see out their contracts playing in a mickey mouse competition, which will likely see them being subject to all sorts of bans that will effectively leave them unable to play in anything else, through no fault of their own?
If the players decide to jump ship on principle, or because they're afraid of being banned from representing their countries for life, or some combination of the two, then unless they want to retire early they all have to go and work somewhere else. And it's hardly as if members of the Manchester City squad would be reduced to penury if they needed to take a 50% pay cut.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that he was not involved in the club’s decision to join a breakaway European Super League.
On Sunday, Liverpool announced that they were one of 12 ‘founding members’ of a new breakaway Super League tournament.
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League and said ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League match at Leeds United that his opinion “had not changed”.
“My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past],” he said. “I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.”
What has Klopp said?
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League.
“My feelings didn't change,” he added. “My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past]. I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.
Klopp said on Monday that he was not involved in Liverpool’s decision to join the Super League.
"We got some information, not a lot,” he said. “Most of the things in the newspapers. It's a tough one. People are not happy with it, I can understand it. I can't say a lot more because we were not involved in the process - not the players, not me - we didn't know about it. We will have to wait how it develops.”
Klopp added that he liked the competitive balance of the existing UEFA Champions League.
“I'm 53. Since I've been in professional football, the Champions League has been there,” he added. “My aim was always to coach a team there. I have no issues with the Champions League.
“I like the competitive aspect of football. I like that West Ham might play in the Champions League. I don't want them to because we want to but I like they have the chance. What can I say? It's not easy.
“What I want to say as well, I've heard a few things but what I really don't like, Liverpool football club is much more than some decisions. The most important part of football are the supporters and the team. We have to make sure nothing gets between that. I've heard there are banners but the players didn't do anything wrong. We have to all stick together. We can show nobody has to walk alone in these moments. There are things to sort but nothing to do with the football or the relationship between the supporters and the team.
“In tough times you have to show you stick together. It doesn't mean you have to agree with everything but again the boys did nothing wrong. I want to make sure everyone knows that.”
I don't see what tlg is objecting to there, sounds entirely reasonable and he's making his position even clearer than I expected. I thought he might be more "tactful" than that.
He's pretty much flat out said he opposes what his employer is doing. Good for him!
He didn't say "this is a disgrace, I'm off if they don't back down."
So he's complicit with it. So he's scum like the rest of them.
The government can easily stop the Soccer Six. "Policing priorities will no longer allow local forces in Merseyside, Greater Manchester and London to assist at Super League games."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that he was not involved in the club’s decision to join a breakaway European Super League.
On Sunday, Liverpool announced that they were one of 12 ‘founding members’ of a new breakaway Super League tournament.
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League and said ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League match at Leeds United that his opinion “had not changed”.
“My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past],” he said. “I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.”
What has Klopp said?
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League.
“My feelings didn't change,” he added. “My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past]. I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.
Klopp said on Monday that he was not involved in Liverpool’s decision to join the Super League.
"We got some information, not a lot,” he said. “Most of the things in the newspapers. It's a tough one. People are not happy with it, I can understand it. I can't say a lot more because we were not involved in the process - not the players, not me - we didn't know about it. We will have to wait how it develops.”
Klopp added that he liked the competitive balance of the existing UEFA Champions League.
“I'm 53. Since I've been in professional football, the Champions League has been there,” he added. “My aim was always to coach a team there. I have no issues with the Champions League.
“I like the competitive aspect of football. I like that West Ham might play in the Champions League. I don't want them to because we want to but I like they have the chance. What can I say? It's not easy.
“What I want to say as well, I've heard a few things but what I really don't like, Liverpool football club is much more than some decisions. The most important part of football are the supporters and the team. We have to make sure nothing gets between that. I've heard there are banners but the players didn't do anything wrong. We have to all stick together. We can show nobody has to walk alone in these moments. There are things to sort but nothing to do with the football or the relationship between the supporters and the team.
“In tough times you have to show you stick together. It doesn't mean you have to agree with everything but again the boys did nothing wrong. I want to make sure everyone knows that.”
I don't see what tlg is objecting to there, sounds entirely reasonable and he's making his position even clearer than I expected. I thought he might be more "tactful" than that.
He's pretty much flat out said he opposes what his employer is doing. Good for him!
He didn't say "this is a disgrace, I'm off if they don't back down."
So he's complicit with it. So he's scum like the rest of them.
Oh that's not realistic whatsoever.
Politely saying he stands with the fans is a good way of criticising the employers without getting sacked and undermining what is going on. Throwing a strop won't solve anything.
BMI isn't entirely reliable of course but its a reasonable average rule of thumb.
11.5 stone is BMI 23.8 which is in the "healthy" range. 14.5 stone is BMI 29 which is in the "overweight" range. Most adults in this country are overweight. 17.5 stone is BMI 36.2 which is in the "obese" range. 28% of adults in this country are obese.
To be "morbidly obese" would require a weight of 19 stone 4 lbs. Nearly 2 more stone than said.
You're getting there. Now redo with his real height and you will be there. The 17.5 was a lie. He was "bigging himself up". And the reason for it was as I stated.
At EU leaders photos he's taller than Viktor Orban who is 5'8". He's taller than Macron too.
I do not believe for one second that 17.5 was a lie. I don't think you comprehend just how much weight much of the nation is carrying on them, I think you're delusional if you think 17.5 stone is "gross".
Have you ever been obese yourself? Did you ever realise just how much weight it takes to be "obese"? Now bear in mind that more than one in four British adults are obese.
At his heaviest would you think that Johnson is one of those one in four who are obese? I would, wouldn't you?
My brother is 5 foot 9. He spent 2 hours with the great man at a reception. Standing right next to him. There was a full 2 inch gap. My brother was struck by it. By how short the PM is. He told me and I've seen the photos. There is not a shadow of a doubt about this.
Call me old fashioned but I quite liked the set up years ago with Uefa Cup, Cup Winners Cup and European Cup . They all had a distinction and personality of their own .
I think this football row is an inevitable result of trying to do several incompatible things simultaneously. Football is all these things:
part of the entertainment/mass media industry; part of capitalism/money making/fortune hunting; a philanthropic money wasting enterprise for rich men with too much money; part of what makes up communities; part of national identity; a sporting activity and therefore in itself 'a good thing' in modern eyes.
With what it has become in recent years to work at the top level it needs two incompatible things: loads of cash of the sort generally only sustainable by the state or by the capitalist model
and, as always,
enough other teams that are about as good as you otherwise there is no-one to play you.
Which is where the model diverges from Tesco and capitalism generally, which does not require a large number of rivals of the same size and ability to kick oranges at each other. It needs suppliers not rivals. Football requires rivals.
So there will be rows about how to organise rivalry consistent with capitalism/fortune hunting - something which in principle can't be done. If Tesco did it it would be a cartel and illegal.
So if big capitalism is in football we shall have to suck it up. They are incompatible occupations. Like capitalism running essential utilities that are natural monopolies.
BMI isn't entirely reliable of course but its a reasonable average rule of thumb.
11.5 stone is BMI 23.8 which is in the "healthy" range. 14.5 stone is BMI 29 which is in the "overweight" range. Most adults in this country are overweight. 17.5 stone is BMI 36.2 which is in the "obese" range. 28% of adults in this country are obese.
To be "morbidly obese" would require a weight of 19 stone 4 lbs. Nearly 2 more stone than said.
You're getting there. Now redo with his real height and you will be there. The 17.5 was a lie. He was "bigging himself up". And the reason for it was as I stated.
At EU leaders photos he's taller than Viktor Orban who is 5'8". He's taller than Macron too.
I do not believe for one second that 17.5 was a lie. I don't think you comprehend just how much weight much of the nation is carrying on them, I think you're delusional if you think 17.5 stone is "gross".
Have you ever been obese yourself? Did you ever realise just how much weight it takes to be "obese"? Now bear in mind that more than one in four British adults are obese.
At his heaviest would you think that Johnson is one of those one in four who are obese? I would, wouldn't you?
My brother is 5 foot 9. He spent 2 hours with the great man at a reception. Standing right next to him. There was a full 2 inch gap. My brother was struck by it. By how short the PM is. He told me and I've seen the photos. There is not a shadow of a doubt about this.
Sorry.
Your anecdote is meaningless gibberish and don't forget he has a tendency to stoop, which is far from unusual with . . . people who are obese like he is. Side-by-side he's taller than Macron and other leaders.
I have no doubt that at his heaviest he was around 17.5 stone. I'd think he was a massive liar if he'd said much lower than that.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
SNAP POLL: 79% of British football fans oppose the creation of the European Super League, with 68% 'strongly' opposed
75% of football fans say they're not interested in watching the European Super League when it begins. This is the case among 65% who support a 'big six' team
It was pretty obscure until the late 90s, when it was discovered to be by far the best way of identifying spam emails, and Autonomy used it to pretend to do something really clever.
The thing is, the general idea of a European super league is a good one. A really good one. Providing it dovetails with national leagues.
It's far better than what has happened to the so-called Champions League.
Playing Devil's Advocate, one argument is that the Premier League has become obsessed with the race for Top 4 as opposed to winning the damn thing. So, an ESL would put an end to that at least.
Agree that if you replace the CL with the ESL, then I don't see what is necessarily the problem - it will force more clubs to focus on their domestic success. Let's be blunt, a lot of the teams who are in the CL don't have a chance of winning. It's becoming Europe's equivalent of the FA Cup....
Michael Gove is visiting Israel to study a COVID "green pass" smartphone app that could soon be the model for vaccine passports in the UK.
The Cabinet Office minister, in charge of a Whitehall study into how coronavirus certification might work in the UK, has been a big fan of the Israeli scheme for weeks.
He is being accompanied on his visit by Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, who is hugely influential in the government's COVID strategy.
It is thought their visit involves meetings with Israel's health minister, Yuli Edelstein, and possibly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports in Israel.
The thing is, the general idea of a European super league is a good one. A really good one. Providing it dovetails with national leagues.
It's far better than what has happened to the so-called Champions League.
True , if it was arranged in a way where you had to qualify as you do now . The situation where a certain number of clubs can just play in it every year without proper merit destroys the whole concept of competitive sport .
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Interesting as the debate about how much of a fat bastard the PM is, does it matter? He's always been a chunky monkey - look at the video of him rugby-tackling the small child a few years back or him headbutting the guy in that football match.
I'm not surprised he has piled weight on this last year like so many of us have. So what?
SNAP POLL: 79% of British football fans oppose the creation of the European Super League, with 68% 'strongly' opposed
75% of football fans say they're not interested in watching the European Super League when it begins. This is the case among 65% who support a 'big six' team
Told you your silly poll from 2020 was wrong. This is HATED
If they can only get 65% of fans from the big six opposing it on day one then by the time details emerge and a fixture list to salivate over is drawn up it will be a lot closer than that. 52-48 for example. I suspect this initial fury will gradually give way. Fans of the big six will begin to see the benefits. Those who do sacrifice their memberships and season tickets will find them snapped up by others.
The real problem is for the other clubs and their fans who, like The Rapture, are left behind. Their fury and disgust may intensify and turn to despair.
This is ruthless capitalism. It's also an almighty mess. I can't see a happy ending to this.
Interesting as the debate about how much of a fat bastard the PM is, does it matter? He's always been a chunky monkey - look at the video of him rugby-tackling the small child a few years back or him headbutting the guy in that football match.
I'm not surprised he has piled weight on this last year like so many of us have. So what?
Absolutely.
I am genuinely confused as to why Kinabalu wants to pretend that Johnson has never been obese. Its not exactly a state secret.
One thing to bear in mind for those hoping the Govt blocks the plan by forcing clubs to change their ownership structure is that it would very likely cause a fight with the Biden Administration given it would set a precedent for US companies' assets to be subject to a forced partial sale.
It was pretty obscure until the late 90s, when it was discovered to be by far the best way of identifying spam emails, and Autonomy used it to pretend to do something really clever.
Archaeologists use it extensively for refining radio carbon dating to get far more precise dates.
Interesting as the debate about how much of a fat bastard the PM is, does it matter? He's always been a chunky monkey - look at the video of him rugby-tackling the small child a few years back or him headbutting the guy in that football match.
I'm not surprised he has piled weight on this last year like so many of us have. So what?
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Nope I put that in and it says a BMI of 30 which it says is obese.
EDIT:
Actually of course you can calculate it yourself.
BMI = [Weight (lbs) / Height (inches)²] x 703
Which, for someone who is 5ft 9" and 14 stone 7 lbs gives a result of 29.97
I assume the NHS system rounds up the 0.03 to ake it 30 which is officially obese.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Klopp is a millionaire. He doesn't need this job. He could have killed this right now by resigning and/or refusing to play.
He is spineless. Simple as that.
Hard to disagree. All this talk of him being a man of principle and he shat himself when it mattered.
He literally said he supports the concept of clubs qualifying for the Champions League, on the day his employer tried to abolish that.
Its like a few of you are expecting him to resign today or nothing happens.
Bear in mind if he did resign he'd be swiftly replaced, but he's going to continue to be club manager and the club are continuing with a manager who is openly against what they're proposing. That's quite big.
JFC - he's attacking Liverpool fans. Good God, I hope he has good security at home.
What did he say?
Basically not happy that the fans are taking down banners. His view is that they need to stick together at times like this and says that he and the players are not to blame.
So he wants to stick together with the fans and is saying he's not to blame, ie the owners are to blame?
Sounds reasonable.
They should have refused to play tonight.
That's not an option, be realistic.
They're multi millionaires. They have so much power. They can put a stop to it.
Tuchel was equally pathetic in his press conference today.
They'd be fired for gross misconduct if they didn't play.
Be realistic that's not an option.
From the sounds of it Klopp explicitly didn't back the owners tonight, didn't support the idea, and basically said "he's not to blame" (ie the owners are to blame). Which is about as far as an employee of a business can realistically go in undermining their employer.
Yes, he was put in a terrible position. I think he did pretty well in the circs. He clearly semaphored his unhappiness but as an employee it's quite hard to come out and say "my bosses are terrible greedy bastards", because you also imply that any of your colleagues that don't say this are traitors to the game
Michael Gove is visiting Israel to study a COVID "green pass" smartphone app that could soon be the model for vaccine passports in the UK.
The Cabinet Office minister, in charge of a Whitehall study into how coronavirus certification might work in the UK, has been a big fan of the Israeli scheme for weeks.
He is being accompanied on his visit by Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, who is hugely influential in the government's COVID strategy.
It is thought their visit involves meetings with Israel's health minister, Yuli Edelstein, and possibly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports in Israel.
Michael Gove is visiting Israel to study a COVID "green pass" smartphone app that could soon be the model for vaccine passports in the UK.
The Cabinet Office minister, in charge of a Whitehall study into how coronavirus certification might work in the UK, has been a big fan of the Israeli scheme for weeks.
He is being accompanied on his visit by Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, who is hugely influential in the government's COVID strategy.
It is thought their visit involves meetings with Israel's health minister, Yuli Edelstein, and possibly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports in Israel.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Johnson is at least 5'10" from what I've read.
I’ve met him twice. He is no way that tall.
How come everyone on PB has met a PM and many have met several? Never even met an MP here.
I'm a bit of an old cynic (as you can probably tell) but the more people I read opposed to something, the more I think it might not be a bad idea at all.
The main objection, it seems, is the lack of movement. To paraphrase Hotel California, you can lose as many times as you like but you can never be relegated. That used to be true of Scottish League Division 2.
There's a reality check here - these "mega clubs" are far more than they were. They are global concerns with fan bases in Asia (especially) and elsewhere. Millions are prepared to pay serious money whether as ticket holders or via a Sky Sports subscription to watch their team let alone the merchandise
Football is now a serious betting medium - when I marked the board in a London betting shop nearly 40 years ago, the big money went on the racing and the Hackney dogs on a Saturday morning and my Gran tried to get the 4 aways on her Vernons pools coupon. The world has moved on.
The notion these clubs "represent" their local communities is as passe as al fresco dining in pub gardens or @TSE's views on pizza.
It's often been argued we should keep politics out of sport (witness endless discussions over the boycotting of Olympics or other gatherings) but on this politics has gone in with both feet. However, the strength of the political/populist reaction has been as nothing compared to the response from within football.
The farmer is entitled to be annoyed if the goose that lays the golden eggs decides she'd be better off elsewhere and that's the sense I get from UEFA and the FA. Threats to disbar teams from competitions and individuals from playing for national terms do seem excessive to this observer. It's up to individual countries who they should select and up to individuals if they wish to be considered for selection.
I suppose, as in politics, it all comes to loyalty, My party - right or wrong - my football club - good or bad. Money talks, money talks, dirty cash I want you, dirty cash I need you, as a wise man once opined.
That's the question - for all the indignation, IF the Super League avoids strangulation at birth, what happens the first time it's Manchester United vs Real Madrid - will people really avoid it or will they cough up the additional money to watch it? I think I know the answer.
Obviously, the Champions League Semi Final of 2023 between Burnley and Norwich will still pull in the crowds - why wouldn't it?
Interesting as the debate about how much of a fat bastard the PM is, does it matter? He's always been a chunky monkey - look at the video of him rugby-tackling the small child a few years back or him headbutting the guy in that football match.
I'm not surprised he has piled weight on this last year like so many of us have. So what?
That's not disputed. The issue here is Johnson exaggerating his top weight pre Covid at 17.5 stones and doing so for devious PR purposes.
SNAP POLL: 79% of British football fans oppose the creation of the European Super League, with 68% 'strongly' opposed
75% of football fans say they're not interested in watching the European Super League when it begins. This is the case among 65% who support a 'big six' team
Told you your silly poll from 2020 was wrong. This is HATED
If they can only get 65% of fans from the big six opposing it on day one then by the time details emerge and a fixture list to salivate over is drawn up it will be a lot closer than that. 52-48 for example. I suspect this initial fury will gradually give way. Fans of the big six will begin to see the benefits. Those who do sacrifice their memberships and season tickets will find them snapped up by others.
The real problem is for the other clubs and their fans who, like The Rapture, are left behind. Their fury and disgust may intensify and turn to despair.
This is ruthless capitalism. It's also an almighty mess. I can't see a happy ending to this.
Professional Football has been cheerfully skipping across red lines on the road to hell for decades.
All that has changed today is that the process has become become explicit and some fairly big clubs have been cast into the outer darkness, instead of just little ones.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Nope I put that in and it says a BMI of 30 which it says is obese.
I get 29.98 - perhaps one rounds down and the other rounds to the average.
I'm a bit of an old cynic (as you can probably tell) but the more people I read opposed to something, the more I think it might not be a bad idea at all.
The main objection, it seems, is the lack of movement. To paraphrase Hotel California, you can lose as many times as you like but you can never be relegated. That used to be true of Scottish League Division 2.
There's a reality check here - these "mega clubs" are far more than they were. They are global concerns with fan bases in Asia (especially) and elsewhere. Millions are prepared to pay serious money whether as ticket holders or via a Sky Sports subscription to watch their team let alone the merchandise
Football is now a serious betting medium - when I marked the board in a London betting shop nearly 40 years ago, the big money went on the racing and the Hackney dogs on a Saturday morning and my Gran tried to get the 4 aways on her Vernons pools coupon. The world has moved on.
The notion these clubs "represent" their local communities is as passe as al fresco dining in pub gardens or @TSE's views on pizza.
It's often been argued we should keep politics out of sport (witness endless discussions over the boycotting of Olympics or other gatherings) but on this politics has gone in with both feet. However, the strength of the political/populist reaction has been as nothing compared to the response from within football.
The farmer is entitled to be annoyed if the goose that lays the golden eggs decides she'd be better off elsewhere and that's the sense I get from UEFA and the FA. Threats to disbar teams from competitions and individuals from playing for national terms do seem excessive to this observer. It's up to individual countries who they should select and up to individuals if they wish to be considered for selection.
I suppose, as in politics, it all comes to loyalty, My party - right or wrong - my football club - good or bad. Money talks, money talks, dirty cash I want you, dirty cash I need you, as a wise man once opined.
That's the question - for all the indignation, IF the Super League avoids strangulation at birth, what happens the first time it's Manchester United vs Real Madrid - will people really avoid it or will they cough up the additional money to watch it? I think I know the answer.
Obviously, the Champions League Semi Final of 2023 between Burnley and Norwich will still pull in the crowds - why wouldn't it?
Klopp is a millionaire. He doesn't need this job. He could have killed this right now by resigning and/or refusing to play.
He is spineless. Simple as that.
He could have. But then that would be that. This way he expresses his views and leaves other, more joint action open in the future. He also avoids everyone connected to the club being asked if they are resigning too.
Shame literally no one else did. Take off your plastic blinkers. It was the perfect opportunity to be outspoken, unfortunately he couldn’t even live up to his 2019 statement. A weasel of a man.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Johnson is at least 5'10" from what I've read.
I’ve met him twice. He is no way that tall.
How come everyone on PB has met a PM and many have met several? Never even met an MP here.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Johnson is at least 5'10" from what I've read.
I’ve met him twice. He is no way that tall.
Not doubting you, but when you look at photos of Johnson and Cameron together, Johnson looks about 2 inches shorter, and Cameron was supposed to be 6 feet tall.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Johnson is at least 5'10" from what I've read.
I’ve met him twice. He is no way that tall.
How come everyone on PB has met a PM and many have met several? Never even met an MP here.
Because I'm special.
Have you been sacked from a big job and interviewed by the media today perhaps?
Interesting as the debate about how much of a fat bastard the PM is, does it matter? He's always been a chunky monkey - look at the video of him rugby-tackling the small child a few years back or him headbutting the guy in that football match.
I'm not surprised he has piled weight on this last year like so many of us have. So what?
That's not disputed. The issue here is Johnson exaggerating his top weight pre Covid at 17.5 stones and doing so for devious PR purposes.
That's the long and short of it.
You've given no evidence as to why its an exaggeration.
I think Johnson is obese, do you?
I think Johnson at his heaviest has been very obese, do you?
Do you know anyone who is 17st 7lbs and 5' 9" to compare against Johnson with?
Will any manager / senior player at any of the clubs come out in public support of the ESL? Klopp basically saying that the team is with the fans against the management. Whilst Levy is mad enough to both sack the manager and try to claim it was to stop him winning a trophy, the others aren't. Sack the manager and the senior players and you demolish the value of the club. They're only doing this for cash anyway.
To be fair to the Levy / Glazer et al position for a second the so-called Champions League has been a waste of space for a long time now. However, the solution to a stupid "Champions" tournament stuffed with non-champions is not to found a permanent "faded glory" tournament.
Look, if Klopp (or any other manager) resigns in the next few days I'll give them a lot of credit.
But actions, not words, are what count.
Neville understands nuance and context.
You don't.
Try telling that to any team that’s been in the same league as Salford. Neville can be outspoken as this goes against Sky in every way.
Klopp had to be brave but he wasn’t. My whatsapp group of various football league supporters feels let down by his words. Perhaps armchair Liverpool fans are more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Opinions and all that.
Michael Gove is visiting Israel to study a COVID "green pass" smartphone app that could soon be the model for vaccine passports in the UK.
The Cabinet Office minister, in charge of a Whitehall study into how coronavirus certification might work in the UK, has been a big fan of the Israeli scheme for weeks.
He is being accompanied on his visit by Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, who is hugely influential in the government's COVID strategy.
It is thought their visit involves meetings with Israel's health minister, Yuli Edelstein, and possibly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports in Israel.
Why don't they just look at the App Store like anyone else?
Well that doesn't exactly tell them how the back-end works, does it?
The Israelis aren’t even using the bloody thing. It was a nudge gimmick to ensure youngsters showed up for vaccinations. These days, no bugger even asks for it.
Look, if Klopp (or any other manager) resigns in the next few days I'll give them a lot of credit.
But actions, not words, are what count.
Neville understands nuance and context.
You don't.
There is nothing nuanced about the situation. As long as these clubs are owned by their scumbag owners, they deserve to be given both barrels.
Because Klopp likes to do things behind the scenes.
A few months in to his reign FSG wanted to increase some ticket prices to £77, he pretty much backed the fans, and it was reported at the time he privately spoke to the owners about it, and they took action to reverse it.
He's not a Mourinho and starts public rows.
FSG know the value of club has gone from £500 million from when Klopp was appointed to over £2 billion, largely thanks to Klopp, they will listen to his private conversations with him.
He has a fantastically close relation with Mike Gordon.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Johnson is at least 5'10" from what I've read.
I’ve met him twice. He is no way that tall.
Not doubting you, but when you look at photos of Johnson and Cameron together, Johnson looks about 2 inches shorter, and Cameron was supposed to be 6 feet tall.
I have no idea with Cameron, I’ve not met him. Boris is the only PM I have met (twice, prior to his being PM, both as mayor of London)
Look, if Klopp (or any other manager) resigns in the next few days I'll give them a lot of credit.
But actions, not words, are what count.
Neville understands nuance and context.
You don't.
There is nothing nuanced about the situation. As long as these clubs are owned by their scumbag owners, they deserve to be given both barrels.
Because Klopp likes to do things behind the scenes.
A few months in to his reign FSG wanted to increase some ticket prices to £77, he pretty much backed the fans, and it was reported at the time he privately spoke to the owners about it, and they took action to reverse it.
He's not a Mourinho and starts public rows.
FSG know the value of club has gone from £500 million from when Klopp was appointed to over £2 billion, largely thanks to Klopp, they will listen to his private conversations with him.
He has a fantastically close relation with Mike Gordon.
Has Keir Starmer taken a position on the football super league?
Miliband would want "judge led enquiry" Corbyn would want ensure all the stadiums had gender neutral toilets and that no Israeli teams would be joining Starmer would wait until it was clear what the Government was about to do and announce that's what he would do.
On the flipside it is a BIT funny listening to the shrill hysteria of Sky at the thought that the vastly over-inflated product at the heart of their business might be at risk in some way.
Look, if Klopp (or any other manager) resigns in the next few days I'll give them a lot of credit.
But actions, not words, are what count.
Neville understands nuance and context.
You don't.
Try telling that to any team that’s been in the same league as Salford. Neville can be outspoken as this goes against Sky in every way.
Klopp had to be brave but he wasn’t. My whatsapp group of various football league supporters feels let down by his words. Perhaps armchair Liverpool fans are more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Opinions and all that.
Klopp was brave. He was very clear.
"Jurgen in the past you said you oppose the idea of a Super League, have your thoughts changed" "My thoughts have not changed . . . I like the competitive nature of the Champions League, I like that West Ham could play Champions League . . . we want to qualify for the Champions League . . . the boys didn't do anything wrong, I really want to make sure everybody knows that".
He's crystal clear. Unless you expect him to take a dump on Anfield and walk out, I'm not sure what more you expect.
Look, if Klopp (or any other manager) resigns in the next few days I'll give them a lot of credit.
But actions, not words, are what count.
Neville understands nuance and context.
You don't.
Try telling that to any team that’s been in the same league as Salford. Neville can be outspoken as this goes against Sky in every way.
Klopp had to be brave but he wasn’t. My whatsapp group of various football league supporters feels let down by his words. Perhaps armchair Liverpool fans are more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Opinions and all that.
Klopp was brave. He was very clear.
"Jurgen in the past you said you oppose the idea of a Super League, have your thoughts changed" "My thoughts have not changed . . . I like the competitive nature of the Champions League, I like that West Ham could play Champions League . . . we want to qualify for the Champions League . . . the boys didn't do anything wrong, I really want to make sure everybody knows that".
He's crystal clear. Unless you expect him to take a dump on Anfield and walk out, I'm not sure what more you expect.
He didn't explicitly say he opposes the super league. He said he didn't know much about it etc. etc.
Incidentally @kinabalu Johnson is 5'9" and 14.5 stone isn't even obese for someone 5'9".
More than one in four British adults are obese. I would definitely count Johnson within that 1 in 4, wouldn't you?
17.5 not 14.5.
And he's five nine in his Cubans.
Yes I would think he was a liar if he said he was 14.5 stone at his heaviest. He was definitely obese at his heaviest and 14.5 stone is not obese.
17.5 stone is believable. 14.5 stone is not.
If by 14.5 stone you mean 14 stone and 7 lbs (which is 14 1/2 stone) then according to the NHS calculator that is officially obese. Just admittedly but it is never the less.
At 5'9" ?
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
Johnson is at least 5'10" from what I've read.
My picture with him and the Queen, I’m the tallest and the queen is the shortest, if that helps.
The perspective makes it a little difficult to judge, and he does have a habit of standing in a slouched position. I’d guess him at 5’ 9 if pushed.
Comments
It's a hell of a mess. Got to say that UEFA also partly brought this on themselves by mucking up the European competitions.
I asked an AI for video ideas for other YouTubers. It went badly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw6GjAPpKuA
My hero, my mate...
Feel sick. Pure betrayal to a man that’s given us absolutely everything. Get these snakes out.
https://twitter.com/BenWebbLFC/status/1384212239327002634
https://twitter.com/BenWebbLFC/status/1384212902769414156
Be realistic that's not an option.
From the sounds of it Klopp explicitly didn't back the owners tonight, didn't support the idea, and basically said "he's not to blame" (ie the owners are to blame). Which is about as far as an employee of a business can realistically go in undermining their employer.
Proud of you Klopp
https://twitter.com/SamueILFC/status/1384210885091102724
So I kind of get it that the 15 want to be sure they stay put. Which leaves 5 to fight it out each season. I agree that's going to be a bit weird. And might they get punished if they participate?
On Sunday, Liverpool announced that they were one of 12 ‘founding members’ of a new breakaway Super League tournament.
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League and said ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League match at Leeds United that his opinion “had not changed”.
“My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past],” he said. “I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.”
What has Klopp said?
Klopp has previously criticised the concept of a Super League.
“My feelings didn't change,” he added. “My opinion didn't change [from when he has criticised Super League suggestions in the past]. I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.
Klopp said on Monday that he was not involved in Liverpool’s decision to join the Super League.
"We got some information, not a lot,” he said. “Most of the things in the newspapers. It's a tough one. People are not happy with it, I can understand it. I can't say a lot more because we were not involved in the process - not the players, not me - we didn't know about it. We will have to wait how it develops.”
Klopp added that he liked the competitive balance of the existing UEFA Champions League.
“I'm 53. Since I've been in professional football, the Champions League has been there,” he added. “My aim was always to coach a team there. I have no issues with the Champions League.
“I like the competitive aspect of football. I like that West Ham might play in the Champions League. I don't want them to because we want to but I like they have the chance. What can I say? It's not easy.
“What I want to say as well, I've heard a few things but what I really don't like, Liverpool football club is much more than some decisions. The most important part of football are the supporters and the team. We have to make sure nothing gets between that. I've heard there are banners but the players didn't do anything wrong. We have to all stick together. We can show nobody has to walk alone in these moments. There are things to sort but nothing to do with the football or the relationship between the supporters and the team.
“In tough times you have to show you stick together. It doesn't mean you have to agree with everything but again the boys did nothing wrong. I want to make sure everyone knows that.”
https://theathletic.com/news/liverpool-klopp-european-super-league/W1iKFVLCoVpj
I have little doubt this is going to end badly for absolutely everyone.
At EU leaders photos he's taller than Viktor Orban who is 5'8". He's taller than Macron too.
I do not believe for one second that 17.5 was a lie. I don't think you comprehend just how much weight much of the nation is carrying on them, I think you're delusional if you think 17.5 stone is "gross".
Have you ever been obese yourself? Did you ever realise just how much weight it takes to be "obese"? Now bear in mind that more than one in four British adults are obese.
At his heaviest would you think that Johnson is one of those one in four who are obese? I would, wouldn't you?
The big bosses don't particularly care about us. They're after the millions of fans around the world in places like Asia and the emerging market of America.
I know, I know. It's sick. But as I said, the time to complain was when the likes of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyantook over Man City or Roman Abramovitch, Chelsea or Stanley Kroenke, Arsenal. For years "supporters" of these clubs were perfectly happy to put up with these owners so long as the glory glory of glittering trophies were delivered.
But these people are huge business operators. They know that there's a massive global market to tap for money and, I know it's shit, but your average fan wandering up the Seven Sisters road doesn't matter so much to them.
He's pretty much flat out said he opposes what his employer is doing. Good for him!
If the players decide to jump ship on principle, or because they're afraid of being banned from representing their countries for life, or some combination of the two, then unless they want to retire early they all have to go and work somewhere else. And it's hardly as if members of the Manchester City squad would be reduced to penury if they needed to take a 50% pay cut.
They must be in turmoil as much as everyone else
So he's complicit with it. So he's scum like the rest of them.
Politely saying he stands with the fans is a good way of criticising the employers without getting sacked and undermining what is going on. Throwing a strop won't solve anything.
He is spineless. Simple as that.
Sorry.
As did the FA Cup once.
part of the entertainment/mass media industry;
part of capitalism/money making/fortune hunting;
a philanthropic money wasting enterprise for rich men with too much money;
part of what makes up communities;
part of national identity;
a sporting activity and therefore in itself 'a good thing' in modern eyes.
With what it has become in recent years to work at the top level it needs two incompatible things: loads of cash of the sort generally only sustainable by the state or by the capitalist model
and, as always,
enough other teams that are about as good as you otherwise there is no-one to play you.
Which is where the model diverges from Tesco and capitalism generally, which does not require a large number of rivals of the same size and ability to kick oranges at each other. It needs suppliers not rivals. Football requires rivals.
So there will be rows about how to organise rivalry consistent with capitalism/fortune hunting - something which in principle can't be done. If Tesco did it it would be a cartel and illegal.
So if big capitalism is in football we shall have to suck it up. They are incompatible occupations. Like capitalism running essential utilities that are natural monopolies.
`
It's far better than what has happened to the so-called Champions League.
I have no doubt that at his heaviest he was around 17.5 stone. I'd think he was a massive liar if he'd said much lower than that.
I put that into the calculator and it came to BMI 29.0 which is not obese. 30+ is obese.
https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2021/april/big-six-shirt-amnesty-launched/
Agree that if you replace the CL with the ESL, then I don't see what is necessarily the problem - it will force more clubs to focus on their domestic success. Let's be blunt, a lot of the teams who are in the CL don't have a chance of winning. It's becoming Europe's equivalent of the FA Cup....
The Cabinet Office minister, in charge of a Whitehall study into how coronavirus certification might work in the UK, has been a big fan of the Israeli scheme for weeks.
He is being accompanied on his visit by Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, who is hugely influential in the government's COVID strategy.
It is thought their visit involves meetings with Israel's health minister, Yuli Edelstein, and possibly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports in Israel.
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-michael-gove-visits-israel-to-study-countrys-green-pass-as-he-mulls-vaccine-passport-options-12280673
I'm not surprised he has piled weight on this last year like so many of us have. So what?
The real problem is for the other clubs and their fans who, like The Rapture, are left behind. Their fury and disgust may intensify and turn to despair.
This is ruthless capitalism. It's also an almighty mess. I can't see a happy ending to this.
I am genuinely confused as to why Kinabalu wants to pretend that Johnson has never been obese. Its not exactly a state secret.
There isn't any way that is going to happen.
EDIT:
Actually of course you can calculate it yourself.
BMI = [Weight (lbs) / Height (inches)²] x 703
Which, for someone who is 5ft 9" and 14 stone 7 lbs gives a result of 29.97
I assume the NHS system rounds up the 0.03 to ake it 30 which is officially obese.
Gary Neville: "Jurgen Klopp has absolutely destroyed Liverpool's owners on national television tonight."
https://twitter.com/AnfieldWatch/status/1384219466083356680
Its like a few of you are expecting him to resign today or nothing happens.
Bear in mind if he did resign he'd be swiftly replaced, but he's going to continue to be club manager and the club are continuing with a manager who is openly against what they're proposing. That's quite big.
I'm a bit of an old cynic (as you can probably tell) but the more people I read opposed to something, the more I think it might not be a bad idea at all.
The main objection, it seems, is the lack of movement. To paraphrase Hotel California, you can lose as many times as you like but you can never be relegated. That used to be true of Scottish League Division 2.
There's a reality check here - these "mega clubs" are far more than they were. They are global concerns with fan bases in Asia (especially) and elsewhere. Millions are prepared to pay serious money whether as ticket holders or via a Sky Sports subscription to watch their team let alone the merchandise
Football is now a serious betting medium - when I marked the board in a London betting shop nearly 40 years ago, the big money went on the racing and the Hackney dogs on a Saturday morning and my Gran tried to get the 4 aways on her Vernons pools coupon. The world has moved on.
The notion these clubs "represent" their local communities is as passe as al fresco dining in pub gardens or @TSE's views on pizza.
It's often been argued we should keep politics out of sport (witness endless discussions over the boycotting of Olympics or other gatherings) but on this politics has gone in with both feet. However, the strength of the political/populist reaction has been as nothing compared to the response from within football.
The farmer is entitled to be annoyed if the goose that lays the golden eggs decides she'd be better off elsewhere and that's the sense I get from UEFA and the FA. Threats to disbar teams from competitions and individuals from playing for national terms do seem excessive to this observer. It's up to individual countries who they should select and up to individuals if they wish to be considered for selection.
I suppose, as in politics, it all comes to loyalty, My party - right or wrong - my football club - good or bad. Money talks, money talks, dirty cash I want you, dirty cash I need you, as a wise man once opined.
That's the question - for all the indignation, IF the Super League avoids strangulation at birth, what happens the first time it's Manchester United vs Real Madrid - will people really avoid it or will they cough up the additional money to watch it? I think I know the answer.
Obviously, the Champions League Semi Final of 2023 between Burnley and Norwich will still pull in the crowds - why wouldn't it?
Look, if Klopp (or any other manager) resigns in the next few days I'll give them a lot of credit.
But actions, not words, are what count.
That's the long and short of it.
You don't.
All that has changed today is that the process has become become explicit and some fairly big clubs have been cast into the outer darkness, instead of just little ones.
Nice one.
I think Johnson is obese, do you?
I think Johnson at his heaviest has been very obese, do you?
Do you know anyone who is 17st 7lbs and 5' 9" to compare against Johnson with?
To be fair to the Levy / Glazer et al position for a second the so-called Champions League has been a waste of space for a long time now. However, the solution to a stupid "Champions" tournament stuffed with non-champions is not to found a permanent "faded glory" tournament.
Klopp had to be brave but he wasn’t. My whatsapp group of various football league supporters feels let down by his words. Perhaps armchair Liverpool fans are more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Opinions and all that.
A few months in to his reign FSG wanted to increase some ticket prices to £77, he pretty much backed the fans, and it was reported at the time he privately spoke to the owners about it, and they took action to reverse it.
He's not a Mourinho and starts public rows.
FSG know the value of club has gone from £500 million from when Klopp was appointed to over £2 billion, largely thanks to Klopp, they will listen to his private conversations with him.
He has a fantastically close relation with Mike Gordon.
Corbyn would want ensure all the stadiums had gender neutral toilets and that no Israeli teams would be joining
Starmer would wait until it was clear what the Government was about to do and announce that's what he would do.
"Jurgen in the past you said you oppose the idea of a Super League, have your thoughts changed"
"My thoughts have not changed . . . I like the competitive nature of the Champions League, I like that West Ham could play Champions League . . . we want to qualify for the Champions League . . . the boys didn't do anything wrong, I really want to make sure everybody knows that".
He's crystal clear. Unless you expect him to take a dump on Anfield and walk out, I'm not sure what more you expect.
The perspective makes it a little difficult to judge, and he does have a habit of standing in a slouched position. I’d guess him at 5’ 9 if pushed.