Passport Soccer WebLog

OBLIVION GFX Montage from GMUNK on Vimeo.

By Gmunk.

This article in the Guardian has a club by club breakdown of the financial figures for 2011-12, for clubs that were in the EPL during the 2010-11 season in alphabetical order, starting with Arsenal. Interesting article for anyone into numbers.

Arsenal

The year fans voiced discontent with what they receive for their £95m matchday outlay. Arsenal were until very recently hailed as an ideal club, their policy of US owner Stan Kroenke putting no money in lauded as a “self-sustaining model”. Many supporters now view that as meaning they fund the club, to bank profits at the expense of football success. The £3m player trading figure within Arsenal’s turnover is an accountancy device that does not reflect the £65m profit made selling stars including Cesc Fàbregas, Samir Nasri and Gaël Clichy. Arsenal’s “model” has not been hailed much since.

Click here to see the others.

Via: The Guardian

Directed by Noah Harris

Via: Reddit

Joueurs du PSG piégés pour un autographe by Spi0n

Western influenced music was forbidden behind the Iron Courtain, but in 1987 as the Soviet Union begins to crumble, bands heavily influence by the West begin to emerge. This is one of the finest examples of time time. The name of the band is Alliance, the song name is At Dawn.

Via: English Russia

Photograph: Gustau Nacarino/Reuters

“Before I receive the ball, I quickly look to see which players I can give it to. Always be aware of who is around you: if you feel them closing down, take a touch to move the ball away from them. Try and put yourself in space to get the pass: the more space you have, the more time you have to think. And when you get the ball, don’t move it towards the opponent. That said, sometimes I’m happy to run at a player and just hold the ball in front of him. That way I’ve moved the team forward.”

Read the rest of the article at Four Four Two.

Telling documentary about the role soccer ultras played in the Egyptian revolution.

“In the 2011 revolution that toppled the government of Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak, a group of rabid, politicized soccer fans known as the Ultras were a critical factor. Now, host Bryant Gumbel travels to Cairo in the midst of their most recent initiative, designed to bring down the current government led by the Muslim Brotherhood. Some view them as anarchists and others see them as spirited revolutionaries – either way, they remain a powerful force in the country’s affairs. In this gripping REAL SPORTS account, Gumbel explores the Ultras’ astounding story and key role in Egypt’s turbulent transition to democracy.”

Via: The Offside Rules, HBO