17
May

Premier League, Surviving on Top: Part One

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As the season comes to a close, we examine the history and impact of relegation from the Premier League with our three-part series “Surviving on Top.” Various topics during in our discourse include the overview of relegation, the 21-year history of Premier League relegation, as well as statistical and financial analysis on the impact of relegation.

To start, the most recent team to seal their fate to England’s second-tier league - the Football League Championship - were Wigan after their defeat against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday:

Wigan previously held the distinction of being one of 11 clubs that never suffered relegation from the Premier League; with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Stoke and Swansea also in the list. Conversely, of the 45 clubs that have enjoyed spells in the Premier League, eight of them have been relegated three or more times from the top flight.

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Tomorrow, we take a look at the statistical odds of relegation and promotion, as well as the financial impact for each club in their respective league. All of this is leading up to FOX Soccer’s coverage of the final Premier League matchday with nine games live on broadcast across the FOX family of networks.

17
May

América, Cruz Azul in control as Liguilla semifinal second legs beckon

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By: Kyle McCarthy

Mexico will once again turn its attention toward the capital as the Liguilla semifinals conclude over the weekend.

If everything unfolds according to plan, then the attention will remain there through the conclusion of the final next weekend. Club América (2-2 at Monterrey on Wednesday) and Cruz Azul (3-0 at Santos Laguna on Thursday) submitted assured displays away from home to place themselves into position to progress with similar performances in the second leg.

América faces the trickier of the two challenges with Monterrey still in the tie after the stalemate at Estadio Tecnológico. It isn’t beyond Victor Manuel Vucetich’s side to engineer the required victory (or a draw of 3-3 or greater, though that result hardly seems likely) in this decisive affair, nor is it out of the realm of possibility for América to buckle under the weight of the heavy expectations.

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17
May

Beckham to wear commemorative boots in final home match

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Image: David Beckham

Style has never been a problem for David Beckham.

On the eve of his final home match as a professional soccer player, Beckham announced he will be lacing up these custom boots for Paris Saint-Germain’s match against Brestois. He has partnered up with adidas to create these and it’s clear that they are carrying some signature Beckham style.

Beckham announced his decision on Facebook stating:

“I wanted to show the passion I had playing for my country and the pride that gave me during my career. You also see the names of Victoria and the kids which have always been there on my boots.”

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A touching tribute from a true family man.

17
May

Fans issue death threat to Spanish club Xerez with personalized crucifixes

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Xerez has had a terrible season. They currently sit in last place in Spain’s second division. As their relegation from Liga Adelante looms, fans made sure to drive the message home that they are not happy with the club’s performance.

Upon arrival at their training field, players and coaches were met with each of their names on individual crucifixes. Below is a video showing a handful of the different players and coaches’ names.

Let’s hope Xerez can rise from the dead in Spain’s third division next season.

H/T 101GG

17
May

Pig prank gone wrong in Stoke locker room

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Image via @BrekShea20

Apparently, ham was on Stoke City’s lunch menu.

The club is launching an internal investigation after a bloody pig’s head was found in the locker of striker Kenwyne Jones. Winger Brek Shea Instagrammed a photo of the pig’s head with the caption “Locker room banter gone wild!”

Jones, who is a Rastafarian and does not eat pork, was less than pleased. He reportedly threw a brick through teammate Glenn Whelan’s car window, who was thought to be behind the prank gone wrong.

When it comes to pranking teammates, the Potters go all in. Less than a week before the pig incident, the soon to be retired Michael Owen received a retirement gift from his teammates in the form of his Mercedes being covered in eggs and flour.

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Image: @themichaelowen

Stoke later released a statement:

“The club takes seriously the reports of an incident at our training ground this afternoon. A full internal investigation will be carried out and those responsible for any unacceptable behavior will be dealt with in accordance with the club’s disciplinary procedures.”

Jones’ girlfriend, Kissa Abdullah, expressed her displeasure on Twitter, condemning the perpetrators and stating the prank was “not even close to funny.”

@kissakj

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17
May

Fellaini makes good on promise, dyes afro silver

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Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini is a man of his word. The playmaker pledged to dye his hair silver if Everton supporters had donated at least £25,000 to the club’s official charity by May 16th. Well, they did.

While he is pretty excited about it, it doesn’t seem like he will keep his new do for Everton manager David Moyes’s final match with the club:

“I think it looks great, but it is only for one day, because I don’t think the manager will like it quite as much as me.”

“It is for a great cause and i would like to thank the fans for raising £25,000 so far for the Everton community.”

Image via The Mirror

16
May

Classic “Anchorman” prank!

An Australian news reporter was embarrassed by her colleagues while reading the highlights to Wednesday’s Europa League final. At the end of the highlight, her male colleague slyly changed the copy on the teleprompter to something completely non-soccer-related. Predictably, the reporter kept reading the script, sending the entire set into an uproar and reminding everyone of Veronica Corningstone’s prank on the legendary Ron Burgundy.

The lesson as always, don’t read everything you see on the teleprompter.