Amidst the FIFA corruption scandal, we find it fitting to this week report on on-pitch violence; off-pitch violence and theft; downright stupidity from Jack Warner and em...Macclesfield Town's 2026 World Cup bid. We've really got our finger on the pulse here, the FBI will be using Football Circus as a reference point at this rate...
Football Circus Clown Quote of the Week
"Why would I step down? That would mean I recognise that I did wrongdoing".
- Sepp Blatter.
Mohsni Loses the Plot as Rangers Suffer Play-Off Defeat
Rangers lost out on promotion to the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, suffering a 6-1 aggregate defeat in the play-off final against Motherwell. Surprisingly however, it was not the Gers' failure to win promotion that stole the headlines, rather the shocking actions of their captain, Bilel Mohsni.
Mohsni was pushed by Motherwell defender Lee Erwin and retorted by kicking out at him and then punching him in the face. He then got embroiled in a tussle with Motherwell substitute Fraser Kerr. All three of the involved players were shown straight red cards by referee Craig Thomson.
Rangers manager Stuart McCall said of the incident:
"If he has thrown a punch that's disgraceful.
"But it's safe to say he won't be at the club next season. He's out of contract".
And Mohsni's agent is fearful that his player not even play in the UK again. He told the Press Association:
“He won’t be staying at Rangers after that but I can’t tell you where he is going to end up because I don’t know. But he will leave the country, that’s for sure now.
"Do I worry that this will put other clubs off taking a chance on him? The clubs in the UK, yes. Abroad is a bit different but his reputation in the UK has been altered now. His career in Britain is over. But that is the way it is".
Warner Left with Egg on Face Thanks to The Onion
Amidst all the controversy and scandal surrounding FIFA last week, ex-vice president Jack Warner felt the need to release a video to his Facebook page to defend himself. The only problem being, Warner cited an article from satirical website 'The Onion' as part of his defence.
The Onion published an article headlined 'FIFA Frantically Announces 2015 Summer World Cup In United States'. The article 'quoted' Sepp Blatter as saying:
"We are thrilled to reveal that, for the first time in 21 years, the World Cup will finally return to America, with matches set to kick off today at 5 p.m. local time in Los Angeles.
"With world-class venues in cities across the country and a rapidly growing passion for the sport, the U.S. is the perfect choice—really the only choice—for this summer’s tournament. Everyone at FIFA is certain that the 2015 World Cup in America will be a tremendous success, and billions of fans from around the world will, in just a few hours, come together to enjoy this wonderful display of soccer over the coming weeks".
Anyone with a modicum of sense, even those unfamiliar with The Onion, should surely have realised the article was nothing more than a joke. Not Warner however. His video suggests that he has well and truly taken the bait, as he states:
"Then I look to see that FIFA has frantically announced 2015, this year... World Cup beginning May 27th.
"If FIFA is so bad, why is it that USA wants to keep the FIFA World Cup? Why is it that they began games on May 27th, two days before the FIFA election? Why is it that the US authorities sought to embarrass FIFA in Zurich?
"Something has to be wrong".
Paraguayan Fans Rob Rival Team's Trophies
Things got a bit feisty in Paraguay this week prior to the Club Olimpia and Club Guarani match. The Primera Division sides are bitter rivals are before the game even kicked off, police were forced to intervene when fans of the two teams clashed.
Things really kicked off though when Club Olimpia fans somehow managed to break into the trophy room of Club Guarani and steal a large number of trophies. They danced around with the trophies before throwing them over the metal fence which surrounded the pitch.
However Club Guarani players were unaffected by the away fans as they ran out 1-0 winners.
Macclesfield Town Put Forward World Cup Proposal
In the midst of the FIFA corruption furore, Macclesfield Town have launched a tongue-in-cheek bid to host the 2026 World Cup. The club this week released the following statement on their website:
"We are delighted to announce that the town of Macclesfield will be launching a bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After intense discussions with the relevant authorities, the town will be launching an official bid for the prestigious competition.
The tournament will run from Thursday June 11th 2026 until Sunday July 12th and will feature the very best talent from world football. With exceptional facilities in and around the Macclesfield area and a footballing history to rival any previous host we are confident that this World Cup can be as successful as any.
Given the current predicament that FIFA finds itself in, we feel it is vital that a sensible bid is submitted for the next World Cup. This tournament will provide a sustainable and comfortable tournament for the associations of FIFA and the football family".
Accompanying the statement is a quite frankly brilliant breakdown of the bid:
"Stadia
The Moss Rose Stadium in Macclesfield will host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the FIFA 2026 World Cup Final. Both ceremonies will be conducted by Macclesfield legends David Dickinson and John Askey.
Venue: The Moss Rose Stadium (Macclesfield Town FC); Capacity: 6,335
Venue: Booth Street (Congelton Town FC); Capacity: 1,450
Venue: King George V Playing Field; Capacity: 200 and 14 dogs
Venue: Tytherington Playing Field; Capacity:150 and 12 dogs
Venue: Mount Vernon Playing Field; Capacity: 137 and 12 dogs
Venue: Weston Playing Field; Capacity:124 and 8 dogs
Venue: Bollington Cross Playing Fields; Capacity:120 and 8 dogs
Venue: Mary Dendy Playing Fields; Capacity:200 and 12 dogs
Training Facilities
Each of the below pitches will be made available to participating teams, although it is the responsibility of each association to make sure that the pitch is clear of dog foul prior to the start of each session.
Bollington Atax Playing Field
Bollington Cross Playing Field
Bollington Recreation Ground Playing Field
Chorley Hall Playing Field Alderley Edge
Deva Close Playing Field
Hazelbridge Road Playing Field
Jim Evison Playing Field
Midway Playing Field
Victoria Park Playing Field
Bollington Cross Playing Field
Bollington Recreation Ground Playing Field
Chorley Hall Playing Field Alderley Edge
Deva Close Playing Field
Hazelbridge Road Playing Field
Jim Evison Playing Field
Midway Playing Field
Victoria Park Playing Field
Climate
Because the average temperature in Macclesfield in June is a whopping 14.1°C we recommend that air conditioned stadia are used.
Media Facilities
Free WIFI is available at Macclesfield Library and this will continue throughout the tournament.
Travel and Accommodation
With superb links to Manchester Airport, the town of Macclesfield is ideal for travelling spectators. The town is serviced by numerous bus routes, and Moose Tours will also be on hand to provide travel support for supporters. Silvertown cabs will also be on hand to help out!
According to Trip Advisor there are up to six hotels in Macclesfield, as well as 16 B&B’s. More than adequate for a World Cup.
Food And Drink
With plenty of Brassingtons pies and Marston’s beer in town, people are sure not to go without at this tournament.
Cost Of The Tournament
We predict a total cost of £249.99 for the tournament. This include supplying new nets in all of the training facilitates.
A budget of £40.00 has also been set aside for gifts to the FIFA Family.
What Next?
We will submit our formal proposal to FIFA later this year and hope to be given the go ahead to host the tournament next year".
We at Football Circus are already sold!
What's Mad Mario Upto this Week?
Super Mario's friend and former Man City team mate Micah Richards has this week been praising the Italian striker. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Richards stated:
"I love Mario. I still speak to him now. I think he's a great player too.
"At City he was probably still a bit immature. He then came back to Italy and developed more. He impressed at the World Cup.
"But now he's at a club where everyone seems to have an opinion. And when the team wasn't doing well, he's become a target".
Meanwhile, Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has told Italian television programme 'Tiki-taka' that his club may make a move for Balo, should they gain entry to the Europa League. Genoa are currently in line to play in the competition, having finished higher in the league than Sampdoria. However, should they fail to be granted a license by UEFA to play in the competition (something which is still under review), Samp will take their place.
Ferrero said:
"There's an idea about him, especially when we are involved in Europe".
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Ferrero Claims Mihajlovic to Join Milan, Zenga & Zouma to Join Samp
As well as speaking out about Mario Balotelli this week, Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has claimed Sinisa Mihajlovic is set to reject a move to Napoli in favour of taking over as AC Milan manager. He has also suggested that Walter Zenga will be the next manager of his side, while Chelsea's Kurt Zouma could also sign for Samp.
Ferrero told a crowd at a book presentation in Amalfi:
"Aurelio De Laurentiis missed a great opportunity. If Sinisa had gone to Napoli he would’ve put on a tie, now he’ll wear a bowtie and tails at Milan.
"I spoke to Jurgen Klopp, Roberto Di Matteo, Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri. They explained that they wanted to play great football, but I have a physical side and want the people Zenga talked to me about.
"I chose Zenga because he wanted to come back to Italy and already knows the Sampdoria environment.
"I already signed Moisander from Ajax and I am trying to get Zouma, because they are very physical players".
Artist's Impression of the Week
- 'Trophy Thieves'; Paraguayan team left stunned as away fans rob trophy room.
Football Recommendation of the Week
- Nick Barnes' Commentary Notes; 8by8mag recently featured an article on the commentary notes of commentator Nick Barnes. He's taken doodling to another level...
Non-Football Recommendation of the Week
- Sleep as Android; Want to track your sleeping, record your sleep talking or even work out whether you snore or not? Sleep as Android is the app for you then. We're giving this a trial run at Football Circus this week. So far the results have been interesting.
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