Re: Antoine Griezmann Appreciation Thread

[serghei_ro]

Well, FIFA could ban all big clubs for talking to players under contract, and their entourage.

No they can't. Clubs can talk to 'entourage' all they want.

And don't pretend as if Barca didn't try to cause legal fuzz over the Neymar transfer

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40777484

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/22/barcelona-sue-neymar-world-record-psg-transfer

I already said most clubs do the same things. They find ways to let these players know (through their agents, friends and family) that they are wanted, and they don't ask permision to do it from the teams they're under contract with. This is what PSG did with Neymar, and this is what Barca, Madrid, Atletico, and pretty much every big club do with other teams.

It's very hipocritical for Atletico to report Barca on something they didn't hesitate to do with Vitolo for example. It's either everybody plays fair and whoever steps out of line gets punished, or you aknowledge that this has became common practice even if behind the rules and live with it because you also profited from it when it suited you.

[Hapless_Hans]

Well, FIFA could ban all big clubs for talking to players under contract, and their entourage.

No they can't. Clubs can talk to 'entourage' all they want.

And don't pretend as if Barca didn't try to cause legal fuzz over the Neymar transfer

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40777484

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/22/barcelona-sue-neymar-world-record-psg-transfer

I already said most clubs do the same things. They find ways to let these players know (through their agents, friends and family) that they are wanted, and they don't ask permision to do it from the teams they're under contract with. This is what PSG did with Neymar, and this is what Barca, Madrid, Atletico, and pretty much every big club do with other teams.

It's very hipocritical for Atletico to report Barca on something they didn't hesitate to do with Vitolo for example. It's either everybody plays fair and whoever steps out of line gets punished, or you aknowledge that this has became common practice even if behind the rules and live with it because you also profited from it when it suited you.

That's all very true.
However I think, in order for a club to actually get reported by another club for tapping up, I assume they have gone about approaching the player in an especially clumsy way, like for example telling the media that you are in negotiations.

Let's not forget that Barca officials also did this with Coutinho and Dembélé, much to the anger of officials at both Liverpool and Dortmund.

[The Demon of Carthage]

The difference here is that Barcelona have been caught red-handed after Guillermo Amor, the director of institutional and sporting relations of Barcelona, admitted to Movistar+ that the board may have been in direct contact with Griezmann for the Frenchman's signature.

With that quote, Atlético had enough evidence to report Barcelona to FIFA. Hadn't Amor admitted to that, Atlético wouldn't have reported the Catalans even with the full awareness that there's contact.

That was a monumental mistake by Amor. Borderline insane even.

[serghei_ro]

The difference here is that Barcelona have been caught red-handed after Guillermo Amor, the director of institutional and sporting relations of Barcelona, admitted to Movistar+ that the board may have been in direct contact with Griezmann for the Frenchman's signature.

With that quote, Atlético had enough evidence to report Barcelona to FIFA. Hadn't Amor admitted to that, Atlético wouldn't have reported the Catalans even with the full awareness that there's contact.

That was a monumental mistake by Amor. Borderline insane even.

Maybe have been means nothing in a legal sense. Pure speculation. Barca should fire him still for creating a controversy out of nothing like an idiot.

[rincon]

Yeah the question is not if clubs approach players one way or another, they all find ways. It's the fact that Amor said that

It definitely seems possible that Barca ends up with a small sanction. It's happened before, there is plenty of precedent.

[serghei_ro]

Yeah the question is not if clubs approach players one way or another, they all find ways. It's the fact that Amor said that

It definitely seems possible that Barca ends up with a small sanction. It's happened before, there is plenty of precedent.

But he didn't actually say anything clear. His comments were according to the media:

"If Bartomeu met with Griezmann's family as the newspapers say, then there may well have been an approach. Though, I don't know anything for sure.

"There is a good relationship, there can also be comfortable conversations. Rumours are inevitable in the football world. In Griezmann's case there are many people we talk to; it's our obligation to have contact with players."

He even says that he doesn't know, and is in fact just speculating like a lot of papers do. This is far from an admission of guilt of any kind.

[The Demon of Carthage]

FIFA won't focus on the part where he says "Though, I don't know". They'll make sure to investigate the living hell out of this sentence:

Maybe there's been a meeting and things have advanced.

Atlético will solely base their case on the fact that there's a Barcelona higher-up who hinted at the possibility of an ongoing negotiation behind the curtains between Barcelona and Griezmann without Atlético's consent and/or knowledge and during which Barcelona is trying to poach the said player who's still under contract with Atlético until 2022.

Right there, that's game, set and match.

[Luca]

I think you guys are reading too much into this

Its FIFA, they're as corrupt, if not more corrupt, than Barca

We just have to wait and see where the chips fall.

[RealGunner]

Barcelona have a history of this. Just look at this summer, Coutinho and Dembele are a great example.

[Nishankly]

Barcelona's a shite club. Horrible wankers every summer they tap someone up. Grow some balls and have some fish chips in Blackpool before tapping up ya *bleep*

[Luca]

Barcelona's a shite club. Horrible wankers every summer they tap someone up. Grow some balls and have some fish chips in Blackpool before tapping up ya *bleep*

[rincon]

Yeah the question is not if clubs approach players one way or another, they all find ways. It's the fact that Amor said that

It definitely seems possible that Barca ends up with a small sanction. It's happened before, there is plenty of precedent.

But he didn't actually say anything clear. His comments were according to the media:

"If Bartomeu met with Griezmann's family as the newspapers say, then there may well have been an approach. Though, I don't know anything for sure.

"There is a good relationship, there can also be comfortable conversations. Rumours are inevitable in the football world. In Griezmann's case there are many people we talk to; it's our obligation to have contact with players."

He even says that he doesn't know, and is in fact just speculating like a lot of papers do. This is far from an admission of guilt of any kind.

I didn't watch the video but that's not quite what he said according to Sport themselves. The quote in Spanish is more incriminating.

Still, in any language, saying "it's our obligation to have contact with the players" when that is the very thing tgat is against the rules, is worth a report by Atleti and an investigation by Fifa.

[Unique]

so if barca buy griezmann does that mean they wont have enough cash for coutinho

[Nishankly]

Barcelona's a shite club. Horrible wankers every summer they tap someone up. Grow some balls and have some fish chips in Blackpool before tapping up ya *bleep*

That's why the Blackpool reference

[BarcaLearning]

Would love to see him at Barca, best player at Atletico by far. We would be so much stronger with him in

[Guest]

Would love to see him at Barca, best player at Atletico by far. We would be so much stronger with him in

Lets not act like Costa doesnt exist now.

[Mr Nick09]

Finally performed in a final, he found something at his level but is this a breakthrough? He had previously flopped 2 CL finals and Euro final

[S]

This is his first legit trophy in his career as well (if you discount Supercopa)

[Firenze]

Not super impressed considering the level of comp, but he played well vs Arsenal too. No denying he's a great player obviously. Tonight didn't mean much though.

Good audition. Hope Mou was watching.

[Myesyats]

welcome to Barca ffs

[Doc]

It's a legit trophy, good on him but Europa League is actually below Atleti's actual level. This was way too easy for them.

[sportsczy]

The only reason Atleti made it to the final (beating Bayern in large part due to Grizzy) and France made the Euro final (double against Germany in semis).

The issue with the Euro final was the the game was less than 72 hours after the semis against Germany and Portugal had an extra day.  That was huge.

Real Madrid was just a better team than Atleti in the CL final.... very little possession and chances for Atleti in that game.  Simeone had them park the bus against us.

He's been a big time player in pressure situations for both club and country. Atleti is IMMENSELY reliant on him to make things happen. They play with 2 DMs lol. Koke, Grizzy and Costa have to carry the entire attack alone almost.

[Mr Nick09]

He flopped both finals no need to give him contextualize it, he just flopped. It's ok, he is performing today in a final because of his previous flops

[sportsczy]

And that shows the depth of your analytical ability...

[Doc]

I love that 72 hour excuse Sports uses to make France losing to a Ronaldo-less Portugal in their own backyard less hilarious. With Griezmann choking in said final. He also choked in the CL final too, let's not pretend he didn't miss a PK. And as usual, gives all the credit to Griezmann with respect to Atleti despite the fact they are wonderfully coached by Simeone and have a solid midfield and defense.

Good on him winning a European trophy, definitely earned it but let's not rewrite history.

[zigra]

No need to overanalyze. You're either great enough to overcome obstacles or you are not.

Still quite young and today might have marked his turning point. You fail, you learn, you win.

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