Posts Tagged ‘Replay’
SFA praying for cup ties without controversy
The Scottish Football Association will be hoping this weekend’s cup fixtures go off without a hitch after controversy engulfed the fourth round of the competition.
Dunfermline were expelled from the cup after a string of administrative errors, including fielding an ineligible player in their 7-1 victory over Stenhousemuir.
However, the SFA backtracked on its decision and has instead ordered the clubs to replay the tie.
All this means that Celtic still have no idea who they will face in the fifth round of the competition.
The SFA have drawn flack for what some see as a failure to properly implement the rules and there’s no doubt that Stenhousemuir are angry about being denied a money spinning tie against the SPL giants.
For this reason, the football authorities in Scotland will be praying that this weekend passes off without incident.
Perhaps the pick of the ties is St Mirren v Rangers. The two SPL sides have had differing fortunes of late and the Saints go into this game as outsiders.
St Mirren will take heart from the fact that Hamilton Academicals were able to take the Glasgow side to a replay in the fourth round, but they still face a tough task.
Rangers, on the other hand will be hoping to justify their Scottish FA Cup odds by brushing their opponents aside.
However, they will probably have to cope without striker Kris Boyd who is still injured.
Manager Walter Smith said: “Certainly at this stage, we’re just hoping we can get Kris back in the team over the next few weeks and then we’ll take things from there.”
With a Europa League spot on offer, clubs outside the top four will be keen to make it to the final so they can try and secure a place in the competition.
However, after Celtic’s poor display in this season’s group stage it is likely that the best odds Europa League bookmakers offer in 2010/11 will make Scottish teams distant outsiders to lift the trophy.
Tags: Administrative Errors, Bookmakers, Celtic, Controversy, Cup Ties, Dunfermline, Fortunes, Group Stage, Hamilton Academicals, Ineligible Player, Kris, No Doubt, Outsiders, Replay, Scottish Fa Cup, Scottish Football Association, Scottish Teams, St Mirren, Stenhousemuir, Walter Smith
Hicks Jr lives to regret fan-baiting email
Anyone who has ever sat in front of a keyboard knows the temptation. If someone, anyone, has got on your nerves it’s remarkably easy to fire off a quick email to tell them exactly what you think of them. Gone are they days when you would have to pick up a pen or insert a sheet of paper into a typewriter. With email you can fire off an instantaneous reply and then, perhaps, regret it. For most of us this might lead to a red face and a slice of humble pie. In the case of Tom Hicks Jr it seems that an ill-thought out email has cost him his job.
Hicks, son of the Liverpool co-owner, has stood down from his position as a director of the club and its parent company Kop Holdings after becoming embroiled in a row with a fan. The supporter had contacted Hicks Jr to raise concerns about the way the club is being run. The former director reportedly responded by calling the fan an “idiot” and in a subsequent email is alleged to have said: “Blow me **** face. Go to hell. I’m sick of you.”
Once the row became public it quickly became apparent that Hicks Jr’s position was untenable and he resigned. In a statement to the Press Association he said: “I have great respect for Liverpool Football Club, especially the club’s supporters.
“I apologise for my mistake and I am very sorry for my harmful words.”
While some might feel this latest twist at Anfield will further damage the club, it is important to remember that Hicks Jr wasn’t involved in the day-to-day running of the club and so it shouldn’t have an impact on Liverpool’s FA Cup match betting as they prepare for a third round replay against Reading.
However, online betting experts remain divided about the club’s hopes of recuring a Champions League spot this season given the poor form the side has been in.
Tags: Blow, Champions League, Co Owner, Email, Fa Cup, Hell, Humble Pie, Job, Keyboard, Liverpool Football Club, Mistake, Nerves, Parent Company, Red Face, Replay, Reply, Running, Temptation, Tom Hicks, Typewriter