Anger on the Internet

In a rather unprecedented move the BBC have set up a live chat solely so we can all whinge about the Ireland robbery, technically a foreign country (yet whose citizens have certain special benefits here) but it's aroused the Brits considerably, 15,000 votes cast already (the referee and Henry getting most of the flak)

The feeling is strong, there's no doubt it was wrong - but FIFA won't do a thing, they've got their top ten nation and that's all that matters - so you may as well go and let off steam

I was barely walking when it happened and the Hand of God still gets to me, so welcome to the club boys

Stop jinxing it!

Alistair Magowan at the BBC has done a feature on Portugal (or rather, Ronaldo) missing out on the world cup

We do not need you to start jabbering away about this when they have a one goal lead already! Focus on it if they actually aren't going, don't tempt fate!

And according to former Portuguese midfielder Paulo Sousa... it would be huge blow for every fan not to witness Ronaldo at his peak.
"A World Cup would not be the same without Portugal not only for the country but for football fans all over the world," he told BBC Sport.

I'm practically in tears here...

Three words: Suck it up

*They'll qualify...go bet on it now

Fergie forced to speak to BBC? Not on your life

The Premier League have just agreed new rules that will require managers to speak to television rights holders (no doubt for extra cash) from next season (2010/11)

This, of course, means that Fergie will have to speak to the BBC in post-match interviews, as well as the written press, whom he has also boycotted for seven years, giving almost all of his screen time to the club's in-house MUTV channel

Now, knowing the famously stubborn soon-to-be-68-year-old do you think he will be going near the BBC? In 2007 he was pretty clear about never going back there

So, I ask - is this finally Fergie's final season? It's been on the cards for years, but will he, now surely at the end of his career, be forced back to the 'arrogant' BBC by the club for only a few years? Or will he bother with the sliding scale penalties, or will he just take his retirement?

I'd be doing the latter, not that I personally like being told who I have to talk to

So, money on Fergie retiring methinks

And yes this will also apply to Big Sam and 'Arry

Genius, if unoriginal

"The fourth official has indicated two minutes added time to the first half. In association with Specsavers."

Stadium announcer at Hillsborough during Forest game after a poor refereeing display. (Adam, Nottingham).

BBC quotes of the week

Lawro's back and he's annoyed me already

Here we have Lawro's video verdict (please don't be a regular feature) on the Premier League

What caught my eye was Lawro said he was right about Stoke - I'm certain he said Stoke would be rock bottom, now he claims he was right about them staying up...wonder if I can find testimony to his claim

He definitely got everything else wrong tho...

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Sky 5 Setanta 1

Sky Sports is today following on from their recent announcement of having secured 4 of the 6 Premier League TV packages for UK broadcasting, by announcing that that they have now won a 5th Package. Setanta, who currently have 2 packages, will only have the Saturday Evening Package (Package D) for the 2010/11 to 2012/13 seasons.

That means that Sky will have 115 of the 138 televised games.

The total value realised by the auction is £1.782bn (5% up on last deal) and Richard Scudamore commented that this puts in place stability for the Premier League clubs and allows them make their plans.

Setanta will be disappointed in losing 23 Premier League games, but they do have the England Internationals and the FA cup coverage.

I had also blogged previously that the BBC recently announced they had retained the rights to host Match of the Day until end of the 2013 season.

BBC Retains The Rights For MOTD

The BBC has today retained the rights to broadcast Premier League highlights until the end of the 2013 league campaign.

This will be a big boost for the BBC which has never had the rights to show live premier league games, and has this season lost the rights to show live FA cup matches and England internationals.