obelisk

I'm not talking about "the rules" really. The phrase "sporting advantage" is bandied around as if nobody ever seeks to use it. There are rules about financial fair play for instance but they get applied randomly depending on who can afford the best lawyers which is itself seeking to gain a sporting advantage. Tapping up and paying the best players huge salaries is gaining a sporting advantage but let's worry instead about someone lurking behind a tree watching a team who are practising in public view. The whole thing's got out of hand in my opinion. Just look at bleedin' FIFA for instance. It's laughable.

Still can't get my head around the idea that seeking to gain a sporting advantage is somehow classed sinful. Isn't that part of what professional sport is about?

Banned from Teesside then? I'd accept that. All this mindless speculation does is to reinforce the fact that nobody knows where the so-called crime is considered to be in a range from "nothing to see here" to "deserving of public sacrifice". It's the EFL and the FA that are starting to look ridiculous. Wish they'd just damn well get on with it.

Dobbin's a cool dude. Nice finish.

Dodgy looking offside flag. 1-1 at HT.

Saints first shot I think. 1-1. Leo.

Shocking from THB. Another shot from Munster and it's 1-0 to them. Saints have hardly approached the opposition penalty area.

If you can call it that.

I see the FA have gone easy on Chelsea. https://www.thefa.com/news/2026/jul/31/chelsea-sanctioned-31072026

How would we know whether or not they have had an indication of how hard the FA want to hit Tonda? For all we know the lawyers could be slinging mud at each other while we hurl guesswork at each other.

The FA blazers are probably enjoying an extended G&T lunch. There's still plenty of time for them to lurch into a boozy decision.

What straw would that be old chap?

But when you go on to tell the whole world about Saints secret training methods? What is it then?

Isn't that called spying these days?

Indeed. If a spot of scouting opponents were such a grievous offence that it requires sackcloth, ashes, beating with sticks and even a few weeks in a pillory then why is it specifically allowed one day and not the next. And why does no other league have such a daft rule?

I don't suppose the FA could charge FIFA with bringing the game into disrepute.

The difference is that Saints have erected fences in order to stop other clubs scouts getting a look whereas Gibbo's lot were doing their work in public. It's about time that the pearl clutchers got a grip.

Ludicrous. Get a grip.

Worth a look back at the days before Infantino & co arrived on the scene. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/30/england-1966-world-cup-heroes-60-years-ago?CMP=share_btn_url

Fellows shoots ... over the bar. Consistency is to be valued.

Presumably the plan was to spend some time practising fannying around with the ball in our own defensive areas.

Downs to take the EFL by surprise this season.

Nice composed finish. Saints 1 up.

Have I missed the hydration break?

I'd say quite the opposite. Who knew before May that scouting opponents practising in public would brings down the wrath of gods. The immediate reaction was all a bit of a laugh and the rest of the world considers the saga to be bonkers.