daveymac

Wolves beat Liverpool for the first time in 27 years to climb off the foot of the Premier League table and pile pressure on Reds manager Roy Hodgson. How much more of this dire crap do we have to endure before the owners get rid of this idiot Hodgson. Sack him now and bring back Rafa.

Some Rafa Facts thanks to Tomkins: August 2004 – January 2010 2004-05 In his 1st home game in charge (Man City) Liverpool came from behind at half-time to win a game for the first time in more than 5 years. At Fulham (October 2004) the Reds came from behind at half-time to win an away game for the 1st time in 13 years. Liverpool became the 1st British club to ‘keep’ the European Cup following a 5th Final success. Steven Gerrard became the 2nd youngest player to captain a European Cup winning team. 2005-06 Became only the 3rd team, and the 1st British side, to win the European Super Cup 3 times. Steven Gerrard became the 1st Liverpool player in history to score in 5 successive European matches. Kept clean sheets in each of their opening 4 league games for the 1st time in the club’s history. Sami Hyypia played in a 56th consecutive European game – breaking the club record for an outfield player (he extended that record to 57). Liverpool set a new club record of 11 consecutive clean sheets (Oct-Dec 2005). Went 762 minutes without conceding a league goal (a post-war club record). Won 10 league games in a row for the 1st time in 15 years. At Luton Liverpool scored 5 goals in an away F.A. Cup tie for the 1st time in 59 years. Liverpool beat Manchester United for the 1st time in the F.A. Cup for 85 years. Recorded their biggest ever away win in the F.A. Cup (7-0 at Birmingham) and the biggest by any team away from home in the Quarter-Finals for 106 years. Conceded only 8 league goals at home – their 3rd best total ever. Set a club record of 12 successive wins in all competitions (it was extended to 14 at the start of the following season). By lifting the F.A. Cup became the 1st manager in the club’s history to win a trophy in each of his first 2 seasons in charge. Set a club record of 21 goals scored by substitutes in a season – previous record was 12. Achieved the 6th-highest accumulation of available league points in the club’s history, and at the time, the 2nd-highest ever number of wins (as a % of games played) 2006-07 Recorded his 50th league win in just 93 games – a record bettered by only 2 Liverpool managers of the previous 57 years, Dalglish and Shankly. Went unbeaten in 30 successive home league games for only the 4th time in their history. Scored 4 goals in the 1st half of an away league game (at Wigan) for the 1st time in 15 years. Pepe Reina kept more clean sheets in his first 50 league games (28) than any other goalkeeper in the club’s history. Jamie Carragher played in a club record 58th game in the European Cup. Jamie Carragher made a club record 90th appearance in all European competition. Conceded only 7 league goals at home – best total for 28 years. Only second English side to win in Nou Camp (previous one was Liverpool in 1976). Reached second Champions League final in three seasons. (If ‘lucky’ to win in 2005, the Reds were ‘unlucky’ to lose in 2007.) 2007-08 Beat Besiktas 8-0 to record the biggest ever Champions League victory. Scored 4 goals in a game on 8 occasions before Christmas for only the 3rd time in club’s history. Steven Gerrard scored his 23rd European goal – to break the club record. Pepe Reina kept his 50th league clean sheet in his 92nd appearance – breaking club record of 95 held by Ray Clemence. Steven Gerrard became the 1st Liverpool player ever to score in 5 successive European games in the same season. Fernando Torres became the 1st Liverpool player in 62 years to a hat-trick in successive home league games. Jamie Carragher became the 1st Liverpool player to play 100 European games for the club. Fernando Torres became the 1st player in 12 years to score 20 league goals for the club. Pepe Reina kept 54 clean sheets in his first 100 league games to break the club record held by Ray Clemence. Steven Gerrard became the 1st Liverpool player to score in 4 successive home European games. Fernando Torres became the 1st Liverpool player to score in 7 successive top-flight home league games. Rafa Benitez won 81 of his first 150 league games in charge. Only Kenny Dalglish (87) won more as Liverpool manager. Ryan Babel equalled the club record of most goals in a season scored by a substitute (7). Liverpool had 6 players who scored 10 goals or more in a season. Only the 3rd time this had happened in the club’s history. Fernando Torres equalled the club record by scoring in an 8th successive home league game (all divisions). Fernando Torres scored 24 league goals – most by any Liverpool player in a debut season for 61 years. Fernando Torres broke Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record of most goals in a debut Premier league season by an overseas player. Pepe Reina won the Golden Glove for the 3rd successive season. Liverpool scored 119 goals in the season – more than any team in England. 2008-09 In 2008 recorded their highest points tally in a calendar year (81) for 18 years. Liverpool won 9 successive home league games for the 1st time since November 1990. Fernando Torres became the club’s 2nd highest ever scorer in his first 50 games (34 goals). Ryan Babel became the club’s 2nd highest ever goalscoring substitute (with 8 goals). Liverpool came from behind to defeat Manchester United in the league for the 1st time in 42 years. End Chelsea’s 84-game unbeaten home record. Became only the 2nd English team to win in the Bernabeu. At Anfield inflicted upon Real Madrid their biggest ever Champions League defeat. Steven Gerrard became only the 2nd Liverpool player to play 100 times for the club in Europe. Recorded their biggest win at Old Trafford for 72 years. It was also the 1st time 4 Liverpool players had scored at United in the same game. Led the table for the 1st time ever in the Premiership with 2 games to play. Broke Bill Shankly’s record of 65 European matches as Liverpool manager. Broke Bob Paisley’s record of 40 European wins as Liverpool manager. Recorded his 100th league win as manager in his 181st game. It was the 3rd quickest ever by a Liverpool manager and 50 games faster than Alex Ferguson. Equalled club record set in 1904-05 by winning 13 away league games. Amassed their highest points total ever in the Premier League (86) beating the 82 set in 2005-06. Their highest in the league since 1987-88. Scored at least 3 goals in 6 successive games in all competitions for the 1st time in the club’s history. Finished the campaign with a goal difference of + 50 – their best for 21 years when they amassed + 63 in 1987-88. Lost just twice in the league – equalling the fewest they had lost in a league campaign for 105 years. Fernando Torres scored 33 goals in his first 50 league games for the club – the best by any Liverpool player for 52 years. Pepe Reina kept his 100th clean sheet in the fastest time in Liverpool history (197 games). Won 75% of all available league points – 2nd highest in the club’s history. The highest number of points by any team which failed to win the league (38 game seasons) 2009-10 Went unbeaten in 31 home league games – their 3rd longest ever run and best for 32 years. Against Manchester United recorded his 114th league win in his 200th game. The 2nd best tally by any Liverpool manager in first 200 league games (Kenny Dalglish 120 wins). Liverpool won a 3rd successive league game at Everton for only 3rd time in club’s history. Yossi Benayoun scored a hat-trick against Burnley to become only the 5th player in the club’s history to score a hat-trick in 3 different competitions. Pepe Reina set a new club record of most clean sheets (79) in first 150 league games. Liverpool scored 22 goals in opening 7 league games – best tally for 114 years and 2nd best ever. Broke club record by scoring in an 18th successive Premier League game at Anfield. Fernando Torres broke the club record by scoring his 50th league goal for Liverpool in just his 72nd match. http://tomkinstimes.com/2010/06/some-rafa-benitez-facts-and-record/ There's more stats there but I liked these the most.

MESSAGE TO HENRY & WERNER SACK ROY TODAY [22.12.10] AND BRING BACK RAFA! HE'S ONLY ON LOAN, HE'S ONLY ON LOOOOOOAAAAAAAN, SACK ROY HODGSON AND BRING RAFA BACK HOME!!! Paul Jones Quote: Rafael Benitez: The Summary Has Liverpool Football Club ever had a more divisive manager than Rafael Benitez? We all know lads that adore him, some that like him, some that aren’t too keen on him and some that absolutely despise him; all for various different reasons; some more valid than others. When he first came to the club, he arrived on the back of toppling Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain; guiding his impressive Valencia side to a UEFA Cup win and two La Liga titles, earning them the title of “the crushing machine” due to their high pressure pressing game. They played high up the field, pressed the opposition, passed the ball well and hunted in packs to win the ball back, very similar to the Barcelona side of today. They crushed the opposition, as we witnessed for ourselves when his Valencia side came to Anfield and destroyed us. We couldn’t get near them. He immediately imposed his style of play to our side. We came from behind to beat Man City in his first home game, achieving something we hadn’t done for a very long time; coming from behind to win a game. He added Alonso and Garcia to the midfield and began to drill his ideas into the side from the minute he arrived at Melwood. It was going to take time to adapt to The Premier League and English football, and he failed to understand the importance of the FA Cup when fielding an under strength side at Burnley in the 3rd round. He was slaughtered for that, but he learnt from it. So much so we went out and won the FA Cup the following year. During that first season, our league form suffered due to the prioritisation of The European Cup. He was criticised for that approach by some, but I always believed it was because he knew we didn’t have the squad capable of winning the league, so he prioritised a competition he could win. We didn’t have a squad capable of competing on both fronts, so efforts were concentrated on the achievable, while gradually working to improve the size and strength of the squad to be able to challenge on both fronts in the coming years. That season, we had the amazing night against Olympiakos, the destruction of Bayer Leverkusen, the toppling of Juventus in the quarter final, and the unforgettable night against Chelsea in the semi final. That journey to Istanbul will never be forgotten, and it was all masterminded by Rafael Benitez. It was a season that’ll never be forgotten. By some of us anyway. The following year our league form improved, and additions of Pepe Reina, Daniel Agger, Momo Sissoko and Peter Crouch strengthened the squad considerably. In his first season we finished on 58 points and ended the year as European Champions. In his second season we posted a figure of 82 points in finishing 3rd, which was an enormous improvement on the previous year. It is no coincidence our league form improved after being knocked out of Europe by Benfica, allowing full concentration on the league at the business end of the season with a bigger and better squad than the year before. The progression was there for all to see. We also had that brilliant FA Cup semi final against Chelsea at Old Trafford, and the dramatic Final against West Ham in Cardiff. In his third season, we again finished 3rd in the league, but also reached yet another European Cup Final in Athens; beating Chelsea yet again along the way. People will always have criticisms of decisions a manager makes – I thought the decision to leave Crouch out of the starting line up in Athens was a huge one – but over his reign as manager, Rafael Benitez made far more good decisions than bad ones, and that is what is sometimes missed by those that want more, more and more. In his 4th season in charge, we finished 4th with 76 points, while Fernando Torres was bought from Athletico Madrid. In his 5th year, we recorded our highest points total in over 20 years, when finishing in 2nd place with 86 points. We came within a whisker of winning the League Title, and everyone at Craven Cottage that afternoon when Benayoun scored the late winner really believed we would do it. United had huge strokes of fortune in home games against Aston Villa and Tottenham, while we drew 4-4 with Arsenal despite battering them all game, and they scored with their only 4 shots all night. We were that close to the title. Of course people will point back to the draws with Stoke, Everton and Wigan earlier in the season for the reason we missed out on the title – and they have a point – but the poor decisions made in those games are far outweighed by the good decisions made in others. It’s all about looking at the bigger picture rather than pin pointing specific games or incidents. Just like people point to him taking off Torres at Birmingham, Gerrard at Wigan (I was guilty of that) among others, yet fail to acknowledge his superb record with substitutes that change games. For every poor substitution like those listed above, there were 5 good ones that changed games. The bigger picture. People criticise his record in the transfer market, but then fail to acknowledge the signings like Torres, Reina, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Garcia..... People criticise his policy of buying dozens of youth players, yet fail to acknowledge that no player had come through from the Academy since Steven Gerrard, and it obviously wasn’t working. We now have a handful of top class prospects on the verge of the first team that Rafael Benitez brought to the club. He was buying for the future, developing our youth system, bringing over top class coaches from Barcelona to develop our younger players and change the system that had failed the club for the past 10 years. People want to see a quick fix though. The bigger picture. Last season was a disaster and everyone knows it was far from acceptable. But was it the right decision to sack the manager on the back of one bad year? Was it right to dismantle the work he’d done with the youth set up? Was it right to ignore the mess that Gillett and Hicks had caused and the effect that had on Rafa and the players? Was it right to ignore all those other factors that combined to result in a 7th place finish and just blame it all on the manager? The bigger picture. A decision was made to sack him and look where we are now. History will be kind to Rafa’s reign at Anfield. It might take a few years for people to sit back and reflect upon everything he achieved here, weighing it up against the factors involved, competition we were up against and how difficult a task he actually faced; and who knows what would have happened had Gillett and Hicks not walked through our doors in 2007? The blame for our demise lies firmly at their feet for me – not with the manager. Criticise him by all means, but blame him for everything? Not a chance. Roy Hodgson is a joke of a manager, and without Hicks, Gillett and Purslow darkening Anfield, he wouldn’t have been within a mile of becoming our manager. There is one manager in the world at the minute that is the perfect fit for the Anfield hotseat: the one that was kicked out of it 6 months ago. Reflect on the past 6 years in full and decide if he’s too negative, wasted money on sh1te, too stubborn or whatever else you want to accuse him of. Maybe you had become bored and wanted a change. Maybe you had your expectations raised by the man you now criticise. New owners, new strategy, new start, old manager. Unfinished Business and the real LFC fans want the gaffer back home.

FAMILIES who lost loved ones at Hillsborough today slammed an American journalist for branding the tragedy a "riot." Columnist Alex Beam (pictured) provoked widespread anger among Liverpool FC fans across the world for inaccurate comments about the 1989 disaster. The Boston Globe writer said "internet fan sites are still agonising over a 21-year-old soccer riot that killed 96 people." In a caustic editorial, Beam also described Liverpool as "grotty", describing it as ‘Worcester without the glitz.’ Hillsborough memorial Later yesterday, the newspaper corrected the columnist’s blunder online, acknowledging the error and amending the article. But The Globe stopped short of offering an apology, merely describing the slur as "mischaracterization." The journalist was also slammed by Anfield bosses who condemned his column. A Liverpool FC spokesman said: "Mr Beam’s comments are disgraceful and ill-informed. Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news//2010/12/09/hillsborough-families-slam-american-journalist-for-branding-tragedy-a-riot-100252-27793442/?campaign=Northwest_email_echonewsemail:20101209#ixzz17cVwneIZ

Liverpool Football Club have condemned comments from a journalist who described the Hillsborough disaster as a "riot". Alex Beam has sparked anger among Liverpool fans for using his column in the Boston Globe to suggest "internet fan sites are still agonising over a 21-year-old soccer riot that killed 96 people." The newspaper later amended the article online and acknowledged an error had been made. A Liverpool FC spokesman said: "Mr Beam's comments are disgraceful and ill-informed. "His newspaper has belatedly recognised this by repeating the findings of Lord Justice Taylor that absolved Liverpool supporters of any blame for the tragedy." Families of the 96 who died at Hillsborough were understandably outraged when made aware of the article. Hillsborough Family Support Group spokeswoman Margaret Aspinall, who lost her son James, 18, on the Leppings Lane terraces, said: "It's been nearly 22 years since Hillsborough - why are people still coming out with these things? "Particularly at this time of year, it's pathetic and just hurts the families and survivors. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. "If you know nothing about Hillsborough and read nothing, then it's best to keep your mouth shut." "If you want to pass comment, make sure you've read the Taylor Report." Author: Paul Eaton

Christmas is coming early at Anfield this year with the news that Liverpool Football Club are giving tickets away for FREE to Under-17s for the final Europa League group game against Utrecht. In an unprecedented move led by new owners John Henry and Thomas Werner, our young supporters can watch the match free of charge when Roy Hodgson's men look to end their Group K campaign on a high next Wednesday evening. Adults can order up to four FREE junior tickets when they purchase their own reduced price ?20 ticket in either the Anfield Road or Centenary Stand. Maybe you run a football team in the community or would like to organise for kids from your school to watch a game at Anfield? If so, then this could be the perfect opportunity to get kids to the game. "We have been listening to supporters since we arrived at the club and one of the key things we have been told is to make sure a new generation of fans are always able to watch the team in action," said Chairman Thomas Werner. "As a small gesture of our appreciation of the welcome we have been afforded so far, and in recognition of the fact that it is a very costly time of year for families, particularly those with young children, we have decided to make tickets for the Utrecht game free for kids. We hope that lots of children are able to benefit from this and that a new, young generation of fans can experience the atmosphere of a European night at Anfield." As a special gesture, specifically aimed at local kids, the owners have made complimentary adult tickets available to staff in 17 schools in the Anfield / Breckfield area to enable more pupils to attend the game. Tickets are limited for our final European game of 2010 - so to avoid disappointment and to take advantage of this offer, please visit the Ticket Office or call 0843 170 5555. Fans who have already bought kids' tickets for this game are entitled to apply for extra junior tickets for free. For more details please call 0843 170 5000. Please note: Kids with a ticket will only be admitted to the stadium if they are accompanied by at least one adult per four children. Author: Paul Eaton

I have only one question for the new owners on the subject of ground share with Everton and it is this. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE YOUR STADIUM WITH THE NEW YORK YANKEES. No i didnt think so.

Liverpool FC appoint two NESV officials as directors Oct 23 2010 by Ben Turner, Liverpool Echo TWO senior officials from Liverpool FC’s new owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV) have been appointed as club directors – it was confirmed today. LFC today confirmed David Ginsberg, one of NESV's two vice-chairmen, and investor Michael Gordon are joining the board. And the club also confirmed the new directors and other senior NESV officials will join fans at Anfield tomorrow to cheer on Roy Hodgson’s men during the clash with Blackburn. But one notable absence will be principal owner John W Henry who the club state cannot travel to the game as planned “due to illness.” However he has pledged to watch the game from home and in a message to supporters wrote on the club website: “Sunday promises to be a special day at Anfield in more ways than one. I'll be watching the game from home and although I have only been here for a few days, I already miss Anfield. “We are hard at work setting a course for the future including the search for a chief executive officer. "I wish the club and the fans all the best for the match against Blackburn." The appointments come days after Liverpool FC’s managing director Christian Purslow stood down from the Anfield board. The former city private equity banker is though to stay on in a non-executive role as special advisor to the club. His announcement came less than a week after he helped Chairman Martin Broughton and Commercial Director Ian Ayre remove former American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett from the club. New owners New England Sports Ventures took over after a series of dramatic court battles. Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/10/23/liverpool-fc-appoint-two-nesv-officials-as-directors-100252-27531793/#ixzz13NIPVxJI

A DECISION on Liverpool FC’s stadium plans must be made within six months, city council bosses ruled today. Leader Joe Anderson met with Reds new owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV) yesterday before the game against Blackburn. Top of the agenda was discussions on whether the Boston Red Sox chiefs will modernise Anfield or build a new stadium. With planning permission for the proposed 60,000-capacity Stanley Park ground due to expire in April, Liverpool council is asking for a decision before that date. Cllr Anderson met with NESV bosses for a 90-minute breakfast chat where he was introduced to Tom Werner, new Anfield directors David Ginsberg and Michael Gordon, and Red Sox chief executive Sam Kennedy. The new owners have not set a deadline on when a stadium decision might be made. Both sides, said Cllr Anderson, agreed patience was needed as NESV undertook a financial assessment of the club’s position. And even a potential groundshare with Everton entered the discussion. Cllr Anderson told the ECHO: “The meeting went really well. I let them know how the council and Anfield residents had gone the extra mile to make the park available and how we had waited so long for things to happen. “I said I couldn’t make promises to allow for any time that was truly not needed or exaggerated. “They’ve rightly asked for a bit of time to assess the financial situation and for us to be patient. Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news//2010/10/25/boston-red-sox-owners-meet-liverpool-council-to-discuss-reds-stadium-plans-100252-27538874/#ixzz13NFq8Vq7

Not at all mate, he had one good season for LFC and that was his last season at the club after Rafa had given him a good kick up the ass and threatened to sell him. The problem came when Hicks didnt allow Rafa to use the money we got for him to buy a like for like replacement. Sell to buy ment sell to line Hick's pockets. :thumbdown

Thats your opinion and you are welcome to it, thankfully you are now in a minority. To say Rafa is a defence minded manager is utter balls. He has his Inter Milan scoring goals for fun, but guess what, he now has owners who believe in him and are backing him the way Hicks never did. Rafa is the best tactical brain in European football bar none and with the proper support he will win everything in sight. Just a pity it wont be for the REDS. Get Kenny in till the end of the season and bust the bank to get Rafa back for the start of next season. And that my friend is the opinion of the majority of LFC fans at this moment in time. YNWA.

RAFA WASN'T MAKING THE BEST OF THE PLAYERS HE HAD, Excuse me while I fall off my chair laughing at that one. He took those players to 2nd place in the league with the highest points total of any Liverpool team since the start of the Premiership. Purslow was brought in for the following season and instead of investing in players to make the final push, he was responsible for a sell to buy policy which took control of player precurment out of the managers hands. As Rafa has just pointed out in his last press Interview. He (Purslow) changed everything. Its purslow that should have been given the chop, not Rafa. ( WE WANT OUR GAFFER BACK )

GOOD RIDDANCE TO THE BACK STABBING BASTARD. HE WILL NOT BE MOURNED OR MISSED.

I suggest you dig out the record books and have a good look mate. You will get a surprise. We have a a saying in Scotland, : You cant make a silk purse from a sous ear" but Rafa was doing just that. He had mediocre players playing above themselves and it was due to him and only him that we managed to stay in contention with the big boys. Rafa and the owners we have now would be a match made in heaven, they are both winners. If you manage to find a manager that knows more than Rafa does about football you will be doing very well. I wont be holding my breath though.

We had someone who was building for the future. Rafa completely re vamped the youth set up at Anfield. The academy was a separate entity before Rafa came along and integrated it into the senior system. He made powerful enemies among ex players who didn't like the fact that their mate was given the boot. The academy manager didn't even talk to the first team manager before Rafa arrived. It was utter madness to replace Rafa. Rafa was the nearest thing to Shankly that we have had and had the same mentality. He was a winner. When he arrived at Anfield I warned that the press would not like him as he kept his cards close to his chest and It proved to be the case. The only people who wanted Rafa out were people who were s*** scared of him. The Manchester based press knew he was on the right road to not only return LFC to the top but that he would overtake their darling United and they didn't like that. Rafa had the measure of Ferguson at United and they knew it. That was when the concerted effort to remove him began and they managed to turn the heads of a few senior players that were coming to the end of their contracts. It was a co-ordinated assassination and it has brought nothing but shame on the club. You say we need someone who can work under tight constraint, well Rafa was doing just that all the time he was at Anfield, and was wining and his team was breaking records both domestically and in Europe.. Look at the facts not what the Manchester press would have you believe. Look at the LFC record books and see what Rafa and his team did in the time he was there. The same players that cant kick a barn door now were breaking every record set up under Shankly and Paisley. That was down to the fact that Rafa was the best tactical brain in the game and still is.The facts speak for themselves. When he managed to get his first choice players they were good ones, he didn't always get the players he needed or wanted and had to sell players to get money to get quality players and if it had not been for Rafa standing up to Hicks, we would have no quality players. They intended to sell them and pocket the cash. Rafa was a stumbling block to the plan and had to go. The real football fans among us realise what we have lost and are not happy with it. If the new owners are clever they will Undo the biggest mistake we as a club have ever made and get Rafa back on board. He has unfinished business in Liverpool.

Football's world governing body Fifa has widened its probe into the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Proceedings have already been opened against two executive committee members as part of a probe into votes allegedly being sold to stage the 2018 World Cup. And investigations are also ongoing in relation to other Fifa officials who may have been involved. But Fifa is also to probe any "alleged agreements between member associations" bidding for the 2018 and 2022 events. England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium are all bidding for the right to host the 2018 World Cup and will find out who has won on 2 December. The hosts of the 2022 World Cup will also be decided on the same day, with the United States, Australia, Qatar, Japan and South Korea all in the hunt. "I'm not commenting on anything," US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati, chairman of the US Bid Committee, told BBC Sport. "We're staying away from commenting on this. Hopefully they'll get to the bottom of all this pretty quickly," added Gulati. England and the US initially asked to be considered as hosts for either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. But on Friday, the Americans withdrew from the 2018 race, while England did the same for 2022. The 2018 and 2022 decision will be made by Fifa's 24-strong executive committee. Transparency and fair play are not words that immediately come to mind when you look at the bidding process Alec McGiven, England's 2006 World Cup bid director "An investigation has also been opened into the member associations in question as well as their Bid Committees," said Fifa in statement, which is concerned that any agreement between member associations would be "clear violation of the bid registration document". The statement added: "Fifa has again asked the chairman of the Ethics Committee to act without delay to take all possible steps, including the possibility of provisional measures, should the relevant conditions be met." Alec McGiven, the director of England's unsuccessful bid to host the competition in 2006, described the news as "tremendously damaging". "Fifa's World Cup is the biggest football competition in the world, it's tremendously important to football fans," he said. "They want to see it run properly and they want to see the bidding process to be a fair one. "Sadly transparency and fair play are not words that immediately come to mind when you look at the bidding process." Monday's development follows an English newspaper accusation that Nigerian Amos Adamu and Tahitian Reynald Temarii, who is the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) president, allegedly asked for payments for votes. Amos Adamu is one Fifa member named by the Sunday Times Amos Adamu is one Fifa member named by the Sunday Times Adamu and Temarii were secretly filmed by reporters from the Sunday Times, who posed as lobbyists for a consortium of American companies that wanted to bring the tournament to the United States. Adamu, who serves as a Fifa committee member, allegedly said he wanted $800,000 (?500,000) to build four artificial football pitches. This would be against Fifa's rules. The Sunday Times footage appears to show Adamu asking for money to be paid to him directly for endorsing a US bid. Temarii is also alleged to have asked for a payment, in his case to finance a sports academy. The OFC said it was investigating the reports. "Further to information made public by the Sunday Times, the OFC president and Fifa vice-president Reynald Temarii will cooperate fully with the Fifa Ethics Committee and the Fifa secretary general," a statement released on Sunday said. "Reynald Temarii welcomes a full and thorough investigation so that all the facts can be heard." Fifa president Sepp Blatter said at the weekend that the affair had had a "very negative impact" on football's world governing body. "The Sunday Times allegations could not have been more stark and more uncomfortable," said BBC sports news correspondent Tim Franks. Franks added that the regulations governing the World Cup bidding process are not as rigorous as they could be. "The competition among countries is lengthy, complex, and - so far - not governed by the sort of strict rules that for the last decade have surrounded the bids to stage the Olympic Games," he added. "Earlier this month, a very senior official at Fifa told the BBC he had concerns that England's competitors to stage the 2018 World Cup were not playing as straight as England... and that several members of the executive committee might be open to blandishments."

Most Dutch people felt ashamed of the way they played. I couldn't:( believe what I was seeing.

Dixie Dean was a great player, just a pity he was a Toffee. He managed to pull a bigger crowd to his funeral than Everton ever got to watch him play. Having said that there were as many REDS at his funeral as Blues.

Unfortunately every sports club has a following of nut cases. LFC is no exception. There are a lot of jealous supporters of other clubs out there who take great delight in stirring the proverbial. Have a nice day, YNWA.

Bring back Rafa…admit we were wrong….we were wrong. SHANKS MUST BE TURNING IN HIS GRAVE. Sometimes when you make a big blunder, you have to stand up and admit you have f***ed up and you were wrong. Our board, players and fans have made a horrendous f*** up. "THEY WERE WRONG" Its not to late to rectify it. Yes it will cost us, but it will be the best transfer the new owners will ever make. Its time that those still loyal to Rafa spoke up and before anyone says to me its not RAFA FC , no its not, but it is no longer the club with principles that I was brought up with. These people within the club who conspired to get rid of the gaffer have blackened the good name of LFC and they should be hung out to dry. LFC no longer resembles the club that Shankly built and its high time we got rid of the people hiding behind that image. They shame the memory of the great man and they shame the club we all love.

BLODY HELL WHO LET FREDFLUNK FROM THE ECHO ON HERE. What a load of utter rubbish.

Well we can live in hope, we never really thought we were going to see the back of Hicks so soon, so anything could happen. I just hope that the new owners give Rafa the benefit of an interview to let them know a bit about recent history and what he had planned for the club. The way Rafa was hounded out of Anfield will for me always be a source of shame and a stain on the club for years to come. Hicks and Gillette have a lot to answer for. They brought nothing but sham on our great club.