The Unofficial Sunderland Thread

[Mentalman]

I am beginning to warm to this crook Warner.

And thats exactly what he is - he was found to be dealing in World Cup tickets for over face value!

That's only part of it. The "Official World Cup Travel Agent" to the T&T Football Federation (i.e. the only Tour Operator able to offer packages including match tickets) was owned by a certain Jack Warner. When this was exposed by journalists independently of FIFA, they reluctantly ordered him to divest himself of any contact with the Travel Agency (after the WC Finals were over and the profits made, mind).

This Warner did by selling the Agency. To his son.

Of course, this is by no means the o0nly questionable dealing involving Warner. His own World Cup players had to take him to Court to secure the bonuses they were promised for getting to the World Cup Finals. He has point blank refused to pay them, even after they won their Court case:
http://playthegame.org/Home/News/Up_To_Date/Trinidad_and_Tobagos_national_team_resigns_in_row_over_World_Cup_bonus.aspx
http://playthegame.org/News/Up_To_Date/Arbitrators_rule_in_favour_of_players_in_dispute_over_World_Cup_earnings_23050001.aspx

Closer to home, T&T played Scotland at Hampden as part of their World Cup warm-up. After the game, Warner asked for the SFA to make the cheque for T&T's appearance fee out to him personally, rather than the Federation, as would invariably be the case. The Clerk involved was put under so much pressure by Warner, that the Secretary of the SFA had personally to issue a direct instruction to the Clerk NOT to do so in any circumstances.  

Which all came back to haunt the SFA when (Scot) John McBeth, prompted by experiences such as above, made some unguarded comments to journalists about corruption amongst African and Caribbean FA's. McBeth was nominated by the four UK Associations to be their representative FIFA Vice President, until he was "blackballed" by a number of Associations, led by (you've guessed it) Jack Warner. Which was convenient for him, since Warner was (again) being investigated by the FIFA Ethics Committee at the time...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1857290.ece

Some excellent research ther. Was he not in some way involved in the vote that saw Germany get the World Cup not England? Could be mixing up my FIFA luminaries there, if so apologies.

[Main Street]

McBeth is a Scottish tragedy.

[The Real Laoislad]

It gets better, from RTE sport;

FIFA's Warner makes Keane Saipan jibe


'In closing may I remind you that a player's greatest honour is to represent his country in spite of the fact that you chose to walk away from yours during the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup after publicly abusing your manager... indictment that you will no doubt be proud of up to today. Poor Sunderland.'

.

Totally agree with this Warner chap

[The Real Laoislad]

Keane having a go at Shay Given in the paper today  Is there anything or anyone Roy Keane doesn't have a opinion on..
First he was bad mouthing Irelands greatest player Liam Brady now Irelands most dedicated professional and one of the best keepers we have ever had....
Typical media whore 

[Norf Tyrone]

What's Given done to annoy him?

[Carmen Stateside]

What he say about Given?

[The Real Laoislad]

What a f**king goal.

2 - 1 Sunderland.

Some goal alright

[Carmen Stateside]

Good strike! Seems to be a good atmosphere at it!

[nifan]

He deserved that after his cracking effort last week that his both posts.

[The Real Laoislad]

What he say about Given?

No credit Given by Roy

Roy Keane last night had a pre-derby pop at former Ireland team mate Shay Given.
The Sunderland boss delivered a alarmingly curt reply when asked if he admired his fellow countrymans 11 year devotion,through good and bad times for the Newcastle cause.
Keane said "He's under contract isn't he?,He's a good goalkeeper but not as good as ours"

Given's unstinting loyalty to Newcastle has won him many fans,as was his determination to line out for his country.
Keane of course was not a regular when it came to turning up for international friendlies during his playing days.
Keane said " I think players have agendas,Certain players come over all the time no matter what,Maybe they want to get 50 or 100 caps and get a pat on the back for it,Shay is one of those players,he wants to get 200 caps"
Keane's latest frosty comment regarding his former team mate is sure to fuel tensions ahead of todays game

[The Real Laoislad]

Nice touch by Cisse there to give his jersey to the fella in the wheelchair when all the other fans were trying to grab it off him..Fair play

[Croí na hÉireann]

Now that u seem to have stopped stalking Seanie, could u add Royston to the list???

[muppet]

Sunderland 2 - Newcastle 1

A bit on the extreme anti-Newcastle side but still very funny.

[ludermor]

Is Roy gone? Anyone else heard rumours that it will be anounced today?

[Donagh]

Is Roy gone? Anyone else heard rumours that it will be anounced today?

Apparently he has a training session this morning. If he turns up they reckon he'll stay.