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Huntr

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To be fair, the UK has taken one of the hardest lines with China in the last year of any nation. They're pissed about HK (China is violating the 97 agreement to hand it back), Huawei, and the Uighurs. It's not just Huawei, and it's not just money. The EPL might be caught up in the back and forth, but there's a lot of UK folks that are unhappy. There have been several anti-China protests at EPL games. The UK even launched their very own Magnitsky-like act to sanction Chinese individuals and companies.

<iframe width="500" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KcNzs7oQHDY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


True, but the EPL would be there if they were getting paid. There's no question about that.
 

Irish YJ

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love how the american right is all up in arms about the plight of the Uighur, but Muslims drowning in the Mediterranean?? Yeah fuck em 2000 more

I don't want anyone drowning, but they are very different situations. I get it, you're for open borders, but not everyone is. And you're reaching quite a bit to link a refuge situation that is mostly a Euro impact, to a country putting a religious group into work/concentration camp. Is everything America's fault? And what about the 12 Christians that were thrown overboard in 2015? Fuck em too?
 

Irish YJ

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True, but the EPL would be there if they were getting paid. There's no question about that.

Maybe, but I'm sure the EPL is feeling pressured by part of the fan base, and potentially the UK gov, to tell China to F off regardless. UK and Hong Kong have been tied together for a long long time, so this is personal to a lot of Brits.
 

NorthDakota

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love how the american right is all up in arms about the plight of the Uighur, but Muslims drowning in the Mediterranean?? Yeah fuck em 2000 more

love how someone can't distinguish the difference between a government concentrating an ethnic group of their citizens and people taking a calculated risk and coming out on the short end.
 

dublinirish

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Maybe, but I'm sure the EPL is feeling pressured by part of the fan base, and potentially the UK gov, to tell China to F off regardless. UK and Hong Kong have been tied together for a long long time, so this is personal to a lot of Brits.

it's all Boris Johnson, UK PM, there was a nationwide 5G upgrade project in the UK and he banned Huawei from being involved due to security concerns and this greatly pissed off the Chinese
 

dublinirish

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love how someone can't distinguish the difference between a government concentrating an ethnic group of their citizens and people taking a calculated risk and coming out on the short end.

these people aren't just crossing a sea with a high chance of death on a whim.
 

Irish YJ

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it's all Boris Johnson, UK PM, there was a nationwide 5G upgrade project in the UK and he banned Huawei from being involved due to security concerns and this greatly pissed off the Chinese

Huawei is not the only thing. You don't think the violation of the 97 agreement has anything to do with it. Or the protests in the UK? Or the sanction the UK is imposing? Everything is not always the fault of Johnson or Trump lol.
 

Huntr

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The DFL is keeping the 5 subs rule for BuLi and BuLi.2. Good idea, IMO. Announced at this morning's presser.
 

Irish YJ

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EPL news is on the front page of BBC Sports. No mention on ESPN, not even their soccer page. Shocked!
 

Rogue219

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The DFL is keeping the 5 subs rule for BuLi and BuLi.2. Good idea, IMO. Announced at this morning's presser.

For some clubs, this will be good, for others not so much.

Eventually this will have to go away.
 

Irish#1

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it's all Boris Johnson, UK PM, there was a nationwide 5G upgrade project in the UK and he banned Huawei from being involved due to security concerns and this greatly pissed off the Chinese

It's not concerns, they caught them spying. IIRC, they still don't know how complex this is. We could tit for tat all day about crimes against humanity, but China is throwing millions of citizens into prisons and is actively trying to wipe out the muslim population in China today.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/11/16/world/asia/china-xinjiang-documents.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opin...aeca4a-58c8-11ea-ab68-101ecfec2532_story.html
 

Irish#1

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Travis is a liar. Never forget that.

Pretty strong statement, but I enjoy his show. I don't agree with him all the time, but he's no different than any other one. They all are looking for ratings and try to find the sweet spot that draws an audience.

Do you like Dan Patrick?
 

NorthDakota

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these people aren't just crossing a sea with a high chance of death on a whim.

So what is your point?

Canceling a deal with China over their notable and extensive list of transgressions against the UK and their own citizens.... reasonable.

What do you propose the UK do regarding refugees/migranta/whatever you want to call them? I'm pretty sure it's well documented that Europe has taken in pretty big numbers of people despite not really having a duty to do so.
 

Cackalacky2.0

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Good pick up.
Bet he's hungry for a new start in Serie A.

Being he's friends with Messi, it would be interesting if Messi ended up in Italy too.
I dont think he is a every game starter. I think he is back up at this point. Quality for sure but he just missed 4 months for a knee injury ( bad for older striker) and, isnt nearly as explosive anymore either.
 

Cackalacky2.0

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Havertz moving to Chelsea today, as well.

The top 3 in England is quickly separating themselves from the rest

I loathe Chelsea but have to admire them going after youth. They could be a good team for many years with the young guns they are bringing in. I like Frank as a manager too. He has made some great decisions in game but also has been exposed a bit but I chalk that up to inexperience.
 

Irish YJ

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I dont think he is a every game starter. I think he is back up at this point. Quality for sure but he just missed 4 months for a knee injury ( bad for older striker) and, isnt nearly as explosive anymore either.

I thought his outlook for recovery was pretty good (wasn't it keyhole surgery?). I agree he's aging though. At worst, he'll be terrific depth for Juve.
 

Cackalacky2.0

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I have read that Messi is unlikely to be able to break his contract with Barca and his release clause pretty much excludes any release after June 2020. Sounds like he will be staying put. That is of course someone wants to buy out his remaining year plus pay his massive wages. That seems unlikely to me.
 

Irish YJ

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I have read that Messi is unlikely to be able to break his contract with Barca and his release clause pretty much excludes any release after June 2020. Sounds like he will be staying put. That is of course someone wants to buy out his remaining year plus pay his massive wages. That seems unlikely to me.

I read where his father/agent quoted a portion of the contract about the release. From what he cited, didn't specify a date (June 2020). I'd love to see the language. If there is a clear date, and they simply goofed, then it might be time to get an agent that's not your dad.
 

NDRock

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I read where his father/agent quoted a portion of the contract about the release. From what he cited, didn't specify a date (June 2020). I'd love to see the language. If there is a clear date, and they simply goofed, then it might be time to get an agent that's not your dad.

Sounds like COVID is kind of to blame. Caused the season to go past the normal date, which is what the contract was based on. In a normal season Barca would have been done in May and he could have asked for his release then but since it went past June he is under contract for another year.

This is my understanding but might not be true at all.
 

notredomer23

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Lionel Messi to Goal: "I wasn't happy and I wanted to leave. I have not been allowed this in any way and I will STAY at the club so as not to get into a legal dispute. The management of the club led by Bartomeu is a disaster".
 

Irish YJ

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Sounds like COVID is kind of to blame. Caused the season to go past the normal date, which is what the contract was based on. In a normal season Barca would have been done in May and he could have asked for his release then but since it went past June he is under contract for another year.

This is my understanding but might not be true at all.

If that were the case, seems like the season changing, could be a legal argument out of the contract. IDK.
 

IHateMarkMay

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I loathe Chelsea but have to admire them going after youth. They could be a good team for many years with the young guns they are bringing in. I like Frank as a manager too. He has made some great decisions in game but also has been exposed a bit but I chalk that up to inexperience.

I know I'm biased because I'm a fan, but you have to think the top 4 is separating themselves. United with Fernandes had the best record in the Premier League* since the January Window. Not saying there won't be a little set back, but I think they are definitely in the second tier with Chelsea (Tier one is 'Pool and City, of course). Chelsea has had a bigger window, sure, but it'll still take time for those five transfers (for now) to gel.

*First match day with Fernandes was against Wolves in early Feb, since then they had 32 points to lead the league, City had 30, 'Pool had 29, Arsenal and Chelsea had 26.
 

fightingirish26

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Imagine holding the greatest player of all time hostage after everything he's done for the club. Does Bartomeu make it through the weekend?
 

NDRock

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That is the legal argument, but Messi doesn't want to take them to court, out of respect. Clearly one sided respect.

Seems like a situation where Barca should let him go and try to get a "reasonable" transfer fee for him. We'll see.
 

NDRock

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If that were the case, seems like the season changing, could be a legal argument out of the contract. IDK.

Like was said earlier, that is his case. As far as I understand it. Hopefully both sides can work something out.
 
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