PlayBeautiful

FIFA was under investigation after accusations of corruption were brought up in the selection process of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids. Michael Garcia is the lead investigator in charge of this case. A 350 page report was issued by FIFA’s Ethics Committee in September which brought some insight into this investigation.

FIFA’s chief adjudicator, Hans-Joachim Eckert, announced that the report will not be published in it’s entirety. Due to legal reasons, an overview of this report will only be released in November. It is worth noting that Garcia and several other FIFA executive members urged this report should be available in full.

“Publishing the report in full would actually put the FIFA Ethics Committee and FIFA itself in a very difficult situation legally. What is more, we have to respect the personal rights of the people mentioned in the report, which in the case of full publication of the report would in all likelihood not be possible.” -Hans-Joachim Eckert (FIFA.com)

It is understandable that publishing the full report would cause problems. Legal issues can arise since individuals involved in this case would want his or her name left in confidentiality. It is the Ethics Committee’s duty to protect those who want to remain undisclosed, especially if a number of these people hold an important roles in the organization. Revealing the names of witnesses could be detrimental to his or her reputation.

Many people are pushing for transparency. Open communication is something FIFA does not excel in. This organization is constantly subjected towards corruption allegations. Bribery is a common topic brought up when dealing with corruption charges, such as the investigation associated with World Cup bids. Transparency removes barriers that can distort the perception of an organization. Once FIFA eliminates hidden agendas and practice greater ethical standards, it will then improve the identity of this organization.

Written by: Laxmi Patel

A year ago, I wrote a piece explaining the 'Top 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Love David Luiz'. I'm back now to tell you why you should love him even more (if that's possible). After Brazil's 2-1 win against Colombia, people began to notice how much of a great guy Luiz truly is. His qualities make him a wonderful role model on and off the pitch.

Sit back and enjoy this post. (To read the original click here.)

1. David Luiz has a lot of passion for Brazil.
David Luiz is one of the most passionate players that you will ever come across in this World Cup. Expect him to belt out Brazil's national anthem prior to kick-off and try to pump up the crowd during the game. He feeds off of the atmosphere from the stands and will always give his 100 percent.


Storytime: Back in his Benfica days, Luiz had the option to represent Portugal instead of Brazil. He kindly declined the offer since Brazil was his only choice.

2. That goal.
Luiz's unique technique has us wondering how he does it. This free kick is far from ordinary. You probably have already seen this goal multiple times. Yes, multiple times.

3. That celebration.
BEAST MODE! This is Luiz's second goal in this competition.
4. David Luiz embodies true sportsmanship.
After Colombia's loss against Brazil, James Rodriguez was completely devestated. Realizing this, David Luiz came over to the Colombian to comfort him. Luiz urged the crowd to applaud the player as a sign of respect. Afterwards, both players gave each other hugs and swapped jerseys. This is an example of great sportsmanship.

Football is an art form. I don’t only see 22 players on the pitch. I see a master diligently creating his painting. Each step is a brushstroke. Every touch on the ball is a production. The beauty lies in the fact we have our own unique interpretations. A perfect mold doesn’t exist neither in life nor in football.

People see it as black or white. It’s either attractive or anti- football. A pretty or an ugly win. We may have our preferences on what we consider to be aesthetically pleasing, but that does not mean we cannot appreciate or respect different playing styles. When you take away the labels and stereotypes, we are fully able to understand the role of football. It’s not about right or wrong, but our own perception of the game is beautiful no matter what.

Based on popular opinion, people respond positively to teams who are not afraid to attack. Let’s consider teams at the World Cup in the Group Stage. For example, France play a creative, free-flowing style which heavily relies on the technical abilities of the players. Les Bleus rank high on shots attempted and boast one goal every 34 minutes.

In addition, the Netherlands implement a fast counter-attacking style by applying pressure and getting every player involved to break down the rival. This is how they scored an impressive 10 goals from open play, which translates into one goal every 27 minutes from 4.1 attempts. Both are considerably higher than the average of 62 minutes from 9 attempts.

Germany incorporate a direct style of football, while maintaining possession. Like a well-built machine, they utilize efficiency to get the result. They calculated the most short passes per game with a total pass completion rate of 85%. They are quick on transitions and players are able to adapt within the system.

On the other end of the spectrum, both Iran and Greece exhibited a more conservative approach. Iran placed emphasis on keeping the defense tight and using their opportunities on breakaways as their means to score. This defensive style of play was not appreciated by many because it did not add the “entertainment factor” or most saw it as a way of not playing football but merely playing for a draw. With a group consisting of Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Nigeria, it was always going to be a difficult task to advance to the next round. They stifled Nigeria who have one of the most dangerous and unpredictable attacking force in the competition. They almost got a result against Argentina, but a last-minute strike by Messi changed the outcome. To battle against waves of oncoming attacks and remain steadfast against pressure requires immense concentration.

Similarly, Greece have a footballing style they stay committed to. It is admirable because they always seem to find a way. To get as far as they did by relying on their strategy is a huge achievement. The most notable facet of this Greek side is their sheer strength in numbers to challenge the opposition. Greece don’t have the most refined players, but they collectively work together to make the defense impenetrable. The focus on organization is a key part of their game plan.

I see nothing wrong with a defensive style of play. In every high stakes game at the World Cup, it’s about taking the best result and running with it. Certain teams have limitations, so they have to maximize the chances they do have. Tactically, they have to be on their game because there’s less room for error. It requires just as much attention to detail executing a defensive plan as it does an offensive one.

When I see a certain team play a distinct style of football, I don’t feel the need to write it off. There is a reason behind it and it enables me learn to learn more about their philosophy.
As a student of the game, I believe it’s important to be open-minded. We are the ones who created barriers and we are the ones who can break them down.

Mexico: Group A (Group with Brazil)
CONCACAF’ed: Cameroon and Croatia
Draw: Brazil
Loss: None

Mexico were the team that struggled to qualify for the World Cup. Having won only two of their last ten matches in the World Cup Qualifiers, people were convinced this nation would not survive Group A. The team’s instability prior to this competition hasn’t affected players, however. El Tri have advanced to the Round of 16! Can you believe it?

With a goal drought from Chicharito, this made people even more doubtful of Mexico. When you think of this National Team, the first person who comes to mind is Chicharito. He’s the face of Mexico for international viewers. Chicharito has recently been excluded from the team’s starting XI on several occasions.Thankfully, the player ended his goal drought by scoring in the 82’ minute against Croatia. Will things finally turn around for the forward?

Mexico’s game against Cameroon was very tight. Having the linesman disallow two of Mexico’s goals made it a frustrating game. In the end, Mexico fought hard to secure a 1-0 win. CONCACAF’ed.

One player who stands out to World Cup viewers is Mexico’s goalkeeper, Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa. He has showcased some incredible saves, especially in El Tri’s game against Brazil. Everyone was surprised how well Mexico had performed in this match. Prior to kickoff, many were convinced Brazil would defeat Mexico at ease. This was not the case, however. This match ended in a exhilarating 0-0 draw. One may argue that their result against Brazil was not desirable, however, we can all agree that a draw is much more satisfying than a loss to either side.

Mexico knew facing Croatia would not be an easy thing to do. This nation was deemed as the Dark Horse of their group. Croatia gave a hard time to Brazil (despite their loss) and Cameroon. You would be foolish to undermine Croatia’s squad depth and talent. Mexico had to go into this match fully prepared. Surprisingly, El Tri managed to beat Croatia 3-1! CONCACAF’ed.

Gracias San Zusi.

Via @FOXSoccer

USA: Group G (Group of Death)
CONCACAF’ed: Ghana
Draw: Portugal
Loss: None

Going into this competition, many people have undermined the United States. The USMNT are viewed as inexperienced and are not considered a real threat in their group. From their last two games, most individuals have realized the potential Klinsmann’s men possess. These players may be a little rough around the edges but they have not made it easy for Ghana and Portugal.

The United States’ match against Ghana was a crucial win. Mentally, the outcome of this game would impact the players’ future performances. It was not the most pretty win but it  was significant for USMNT supporters. Ghana was the nation  that knocked the US out of the 2010 World Cup. It was more than just a win. It was redemption. CONCACAF’ed.



Germany, we’ll be waiting for you.

Today, Real Madrid released their new home and away kits for next season. What had many people talking was their away kit.

Everyone has a say, regardless if he or she is a fan of Real Madrid. Most male supporters do not like the concept of this kit. The fact that it's pink is a major turnoff. Why would we want our players to wear pink? What does pink have to do with Real Madrid? Who would buy these pink kits?

One may argue that it's a reminiscence of last season's second and third away kits. Bright colors such as sky blue, orange, and magenta is too loud. Although these colors give a modern edge, most supporters prefer classic colors that are more subtle.

Via  Twitter (@AdidasSoccer)

From a marketing perspective, I believe Real Madrid took a positive step by releasing a pink kit. I appreciate that the club took a risk and chose to reach out to a different target audience. It is obvious that this kit’s aim was to attract the attention of Real Madrid’s female demographic. Perhaps I’m inclined to this “marketing ploy” since I’m a part of the small minority of female football supporters who seem to go unnoticed.

The idea of a magenta colored jersey appeals to women, regardless if they are a football supporter or not. What I like about this jersey is that it goes against the norm and makes a statement. Overall, the response from females was very positive.

At the end of the day, the jersey plays no importance. It's all about the love for the crest.

Besides, I look forward to seeing Ronaldo in pink. #RealMenWearPink

Hala Madrid.

Via Real Madrid

How I got into football is pretty unconventional. I didn't grow up with the sport like the most of you. No one in my family supported any clubs or teams. Also, I was never a part of any football team. Even when I think about how I fell in love with this sport, I find it incredibly weird. Never in my life would I have ever thought I would love something as much as football. Four years ago is when I discovered this amazing sport. These four years have been the best because I've learned so much. Along the way, I have even met some incredible people. Believe it or not, football has taught me a lot.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was what sucked me in. Now when most people talk about how they first fell in love with football, they tend to say it was love at first sight. That wasn’t me at all. It was actually the opposite. At first, I had the "typical American mindset" towards the sport. I wasn't being ignorant, I just didn't have much of an interest in sports. I had the notion that football, along with many other sports, was boring and it was a guy's sport.

My journey started back in 2010. It was my junior year in high school and I was ecstatic that summer was right around the corner. One morning I was walking to my locker and I overheard a couple of students talking about something called "The World Cup". Unfortunately, I didn't understand what they were talking about so I didn't pay much attention to them. By the time lunchtime came around, my friends and I saw a large crowd of students swarming the TV screens set up in my cafeteria. Usually the news would be playing, but that day something else was. I remember looking at one of my best friends and wondering why everyone was crowded around those TVs. After looking up, I realized it had to do with football. During the entire week, students were glued to those old TVs. At first, I really didn't understand what all the hype was about. I just thought people were watching it as a fad. I now realize that I was being ignorant because I automatically wrote off this sport without even giving it a chance.

A very distinct memory that I will never forget was in my Spanish class. My classmates were constantly pestering my Spanish teacher to put on a World Cup game. Since my class rarely behaved, she said we could watch the game only on one condition: if we behaved and finished all of our work. That day everyone was on their best behavior and she let us watch it. This was the first match I have ever watched. I looked up at the screen and saw men with yellow jerseys on one side and red jerseys on the other. After giving it a chance, I didn't think it was that bad. I wasn't in love with it yet, however, it wasn't what I expected. There was a lot of excitement in the classroom. So many people were screaming and talking about certain individual players. The only thing that I knew was that the opposing team had to get the ball into the other team's net. I had no knowledge about any of the teams or the rules. Although the players in red were up one goal, I was cheering for the guys in yellow. Something about them made me admire them. To this day, I still don't know what it was but I'm glad I watched that game. Class ended and the score read "Brazil 2 - 1 North Korea".

The day of Goral's prom was another distinct memory of mine. While I helped Goral get ready, my older sister and her friend, Keisha, sat in my living room watching a World Cup game. After Goral left, I decided to join them. I remember sitting there and Keisha telling me how some guy named Ronaldo was hot. She went on and on about his abs and how every girl in school loved him. I looked at the screen and laughed. Because of her 'bandwagoner attitude', I was not invested in the game. I automatically left the room because I did not want to be associated with someone who watched the World Cup for all the wrong reasons.

To be honest, what really got me into the World Cup was the United States Men's National Team. I was curious to know how the US was doing in this competition. After watching a couple of their games, I was hooked. That summer, I watched so many matches with my family. My sisters and I woke up early every morning just so we weren't able to miss any of the World Cup fixtures. In the afternoons, my grandparents would join us to watch it too. What I loved so much about the World Cup was that it evoked so many different emotions. Some days we were happy, other days we were sad. This competition was far greater than some reality TV show or scripted sitcom. The World Cup was real. No scripts, just raw emotions, passions, and desires. 




Written by: Laxmi Patel
Follow me on Twitter: @OfficialLaxmi

Goral and Laxmi discuss their thoughts on the transfer of Juan Mata.

In 2010, a fresh-faced Robert Lewandowski couldn’t contain his excitement upon joining Borussia Dortmund.

“I don’t care in which position I play. My primary goal is to win a place in the team. I am 21 and willing to learn a lot. I will play where the coach plays me and where I can help the team the most.”

Three years later, the tone of his words dramatically changed.

“We are acting normally, and Borussia’s management is not. That they keep me is not fair.”

Lewandowski to Bayern Munich was always anticipated and the news does not come as a surprise. However, the official confirmation made the inevitable a reality. The man got his wish.


A decision that cannot be changed anymore not only affects Lewandowski, but also the two clubs involved. The announcement of the move has stirred a heated debate - pinches of opinion mixed with heavy doses of the blame game. Should one individual entity be carrying all the blame?

People will be quick to point fingers at Lewandowski. After all, it was his decision to leave and it looks like he took the easy way out. Mario Götze was the first to jump ship, so Lewandowski’s choice left a bitter after-taste. It was clearly void of any emotional attachments. Is there any reason why he didn’t choose another club outside of Germany? He wanted to take the next step in his career. There is no stronger team than Bayern at the moment who guarantees a winning combination of fame, fortune, and titles. Perhaps, there is also the attraction of wanting to work with Pep Guardiola. If Bayern’s interest in Lewandowski didn’t present itself, he may have stayed with Dortmund instead of moving abroad. Of course this is an assumption, but it shows how highly he thinks of Bayern Munich compared to other clubs. At the end of the day, he is a professional footballer doing his job. The life of a footballer is to maximize the window of opportunity for his playing career. Though he has taken the forbidden path, he chose what made him happy. No one compelled him to do so otherwise. Ultimately, it is only Robert Lewandowski who can answer this question regarding his present circumstances. “The past is a ghost, the future a dream. All we ever have is now.” - Bill Cosby



As if the Bavarian giants weren’t envied enough, they got even more flack. Landing the signature of Europe’s hottest prospect added one more jewel to their Crown of Domination. Some choice words to describe Bayern Munich on social media were “greedy” or “evil.” They snatched away the prized possession from the fingertips of their toughest rival. Once again. From a moral standpoint, it’s disrespectful to other clubs in the league if they continuously tempt their top talent. This gives critics the ammunition to say the Bundesliga is a boring, one-league team. In the long run, this could potentially end up hurting Bayern. If there are no direct challengers for the league title, Bayern can’t play to their full potential . The quality of the team’s playing abilities may drop. As a result, this affects their presence in European competitions. However, all of these points stray away from one essential question. How would you react if your club was in the same position? Would you turn away one of the best strikers in the game today if he was waiting at your club’s doorstep? Bayern didn’t spend a single cent for the initial acquisition of Lewandowski. Technically, getting a player for free does not mean “buying out” competition.  Any club would be foolish not to take up this deal considering it’s a steal. Any person saying they would send Lewandowski back home isn’t being truthful either. Football is still the beautiful game, but modern times have evolved it into a business. Bayern are doing exactly what a good business should be doing by implementing cost efficiency and smart planning. For the 2012-13 season, Bayern’s record-breaking turnover in 113 years reinforced their impressive financial stability (link here). If this is considered to be “evil”, then all businesses are evil. Football is a unique business because it utilizes both emotional investment and strategy. The best strategy is the foundation for success, which Bayern are thriving on. “The best revenge is massive success.” - Frank Sinatra



“Either we get offered a huge amount of money fairly soon or Robert will stay with us until 2014 and score another 20 goals for us,” declared Hans-Joachim Watzke, Dortmund’s CEO. If Lewandowski was determined to join Bayern, then Dortmund were relentless to keep him a little longer. Was it Die Borussen’s mistake not to sell Lewandowski last summer when they had the chance? They could have sold him to a foreign club instead of seeing out his contract. Or so they say. Lewandowski’s strong desire to join Bayern Munich was very clear from the beginning. Whether Chelsea, Real Madrid, or Manchester City made an enticing offer wouldn’t have mattered. His eyes were on Bayern and only Bayern. If Lewandowski and his agent didn’t want to talk to other clubs, there was nothing Dortmund could do about it. So why exactly would Dortmund keep an unhappy striker? It was a risk to keep him, but it would have been an even bigger risk to let him go. Despite the number 9 publicly admitting his dismay, he hasn’t let it affect his performance. He still remains BVB’s biggest asset and will try to push the club to Champions League glory. Allowing another forward to take Lewandowski’s role could potentially disrupt team chemistry. Dortmund preparing for Lewandowski’s departure gives them ample time to scout a suitable replacement. In that case, UCL revenue will be all the more important.

The key to maximizing revenue is also maintaining a strong brand. As long as Robert Lewandowski wears the badge, he represents BVB’s brand. The more attention the club gets, the more its image will attract new players. The decision to not sell Lewandowski during Winterpause could have been connected to Mario Götze’s exit. Consecutively losing two, big names players is not something Dortmund wants to make a habit of. They want more quality players to come through their doors than leave. After all, one cannot put a price on nurturing young talent. “Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” - Joshua J. Marine



The Lewandowski saga is over, but it presented gray areas. It’s easy to put the blame on others, but not everything can be looked through one angle. If Lewandowski had a reason to leave, then Bayern had a reason to recruit. Only time will tell if this will have a lasting effect on Dortmund. One thing that won’t ever change? The excitement and entertainment Bundesliga brings every season.

Written by: Goral Patel

Follow me on Twitter: @goralpatel 

Merry Christmas! Here is our rendition of "12 DAIs of Christmas" inspired by @ACMilanBros on twitter!

*Sing along*
1 Pissed Galliani
2 Berlousconis
3 Useless subs
4 Injured players
5 Balo selfies
6 Free transfers
7 Sleepless nights
8 Freakin' retreats
9 Muntari Meltdowns
10 Matri misses
11 Generic pressers
12 Goodbye presents

I’m a girl. And I love football. But it wasn’t always this way. My love for the beautiful game started circa 2010.

I’ll admit I was never into watching sports. It just never appealed to me. I wasn’t raised in an environment where sports were a big deal. In other words, it was a foreign and unfamiliar territory. Most of the time I was focused on my schoolwork and other activities.

Three years ago happened to be an exciting part of my life. It was my last year in high school. I was a graduating senior. As cheesy as it sounds, I felt like I could take on the world. I was accepted into my first-choice university, prom was coming up, and I was acing all of my classes. The most memorable year of my life also coincided with the most important event of the year. One that makes the whole world stop. FIFA World Cup. The year I watched my first-ever football match.


I sat down at the usual table in my school’s lunchroom. But there was something different. Usually we only had a few television sets in the cafeteria, but today there were several in different corners of the room. There was no news playing on these screens either. Instead, every screen showed a stretch of vibrant green with 22 players kicking the ball around. A certain excitement was buzzing. It became a lot noisier. A large group of kids were fixated on every angle the ball moved. Hanging on every touch of this “Ronaldo” fellow. I heard a group of girls saying, “OMG he’s so hot!“ I didn’t know what to make of it.

With all the hype it was getting, I was intrigued to watch. Also, I lost count how many times I heard the words “World Cup” throughout the day. The particular match I caught a glimpse of was between Portugal and Ivory Coast. I knew nothing about the sport, but within 5 minutes I was invested into the game. The closer a player was to scoring, the more I felt myself caring. I thought a certain blonde player was pretty good. Who knew it could be so entertaining?


I had a whole month before I was going to move and in order to pass time I watched football. Even my sister, Laxmi, got involved with it. It was quality bonding time between us. During dinner we talked about tactics without even knowing what the word meant back then. One moment clearly stuck out to me. It was one of the hottest days of the year. The air conditioner was on full-blast and we were eating popsicles. Some men working on the roof were making a loud racket, but that didn’t ruin our day.

It was a showdown between USA and Algeria. Naturally, the team we were pulling for was USA. I witnessed magic when Landon Donovan’s rocket shot made it in the last minute of injury time. There was no time to react. We were jumping up and down. Screaming with unbelievable happiness. USA had booked a place in the Round of 16. Never had I felt so many emotions. Never had I felt chills. The message was clear: football was powerful and this was the effect it had on me.

Soon it became a ritual to turn on ESPN and wait for the next match to start. As soon as we woke up, we checked the times of all games being played that day. It became an obsession. I remember my mother saying, “You’re still watching soccer? Do you find this interesting? I thought it was over!“