Tag Futebol

So in the past few years, we’ve had allegations of bungs, bribes, match fixing, false advertising in the case of Torres and Carroll – strikers? Well they certainly do not do what it says on the tin, and now the latest storm for football to weather is that of tax perks.

It was reported over the weekend that HMRC are more than a little curious about the ‘secret perks’ that footballers are enjoying at the courtesy of clubs and their owners. It is not just holidays or even cars that are interesting HRMC, oh no – they are even asking about health benefits and intimating tax could be paid on these.

Basically it is anything that are ‘benefits in kind’ so it is not wages obviously, which footballers in the UK get absolutely crucified on already, especially in comparison to other countries, but the ‘perks’ they are receiving, and the ever greedy HMRC state that they would not enter into such investigations if they did not feel a great deal of money could be reaped from it.

That alone illustrates not only how serious they feel about this issue – why wouldn’t they, a further chance to fill their chest with gold – but also how successful they feel they have the potential to be. If you rack your brains, it is not hard to think of which ever club you support, your favourite player and a benefit he has received from the club – it may not be a holiday or a car, perhaps it is just accommodation for a few nights on arriving in England, whatever it is, there are more than enough examples, and the HMRC have cottoned on to this.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not sitting here asking you to cry into what is left of the beer from New Year for the footballers who have so much in comparison to the rest of us, and I am fully aware that it is not just footballers who pay a huge amount of their earnings to the HMRC, not to mention the fact that we are also expected to pay tax and national insurance on the ‘benefits’ we get – but before this turns into a rant about the government and our tax system, I am simply highlighting the fact that it is not even just football in which the taxation differs massively in the UK to other countries.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

Rafael Nadal for example has chosen to forgo playing at his usual Wimbledon warm-up tournament of the last few years at Queen’s in London, in favour of Halle in Germany for the next three years due to the difference in tax on the payment and winnings – England take half the appearance fee and also a substantial proportion of their world wide endorsements – determined on how much time they spend competing in the UK.

Is this right for Rafa to do– no it is not, and when I read this a few months back I was disappointed in Rafa for prioritising the money over anything else, but at the end of the day, it is a vital factor for sportsmen these days, and do we really want to isolate the UK even further by attempting to seize more of the wages the footballers earn?

Eventually, they will become like Rafa Nadal and chose to play their trade in La Liga or elsewhere – it is hardly like England can compete with the weather, the winter break, the women – I could go on, and as a country we do not want the best talent to go elsewhere – we want it here.

Do I feel good attempting to defend footballers over their astronomical salary – no I do not, and this is not what I am trying to get across here,  but at the end of the day, if you have the choice between playing abroad paying less tax on firstly your wages and then your ‘benefits’ or in the UK where you are heavily taxed on all of these, which would you go for?

[divider]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

FREE football app that pays you CASH

[ad_pod id=’qs-2′ align=’left’]

Two-goal Jon Walters described Stoke City’s 5-0 FA Cup semi-final triumph as the “pinnacle of his career” on Sunday.The Republic of Ireland international curled home two finishes to put the icing on a five-star performance which swept aside his former club Bolton.

It continued what has been a remarkable story for Walters since he made a 2.75 million pounds move from Championship club Ipswich Town at the start of the season.

“To score two goals at Wembley and crown a win like that is the stuff that dreams are made of and it is certainly the pinnacle of my career,” he commented.

“I just want to keep this run going now and score a few more goals because it has been a remarkable few weeks for the club and we can now finish the season off in style.”

“To start the game like we did and get three goals in the first half hour was absolutely fantastic for us and that really settled any nerves we had.

“We expected Bolton to come at us in the second half because they had nothing to lose so to get the fourth goal really killed off any hope of them coming back.”

While the focus will now be on the May 14 final against Manchester City, Walters stressed that City have to keep their feet firmly on the floor because there is still important work to be done to ensure a fourth season in the Barclays Premier League.

“We have two massive games in the League coming up against Aston Villa and Wolves, so we need to focus on them,” said the striker who now has 11 goals this season.

“We were aware of the history in the cup and obviously we wanted to change that and reach a first FA Cup Final, and thankfully we did that.”

“It was a fantastic day for the fans too. As ever, they were magnificent and you could see what it meant to all of them. They had a great day out.”

“There is still a long way to go but we are confident. It’s the best chance this club has had of winning this trophy and we want make the most of that.”

West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace has vowed not to make any more mistakes in the transfer market after admitting that the acquistion of Luke Moore has been a financial disaster for the club.

The Baggies paid Aston Villa £3.5million for the striker in January 2008 since when he has managed to find the net just five times in 65 appearances.

Peace has admitted that Moore is free to leave The Hawthorns for another side, possibly on loan, and is disappointed with the whole affair after the striker was omitted from Albion's 25-man Premier League squad.

He told the Express and Star:"We've had Luke who came in for £3.5million, Leon Barnett who came in for £2.9million, although to be fair they were a few years ago.

"People make mistakes but I'm sure we'll be fine from now. There will always be mistakes in the transfer market but hopefully we can cut down on them. It's part of the club moving on and getting stronger.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"Perhaps it's because of what we paid for Luke that this is one of the reasons we're not paying big transfer fees, but now looking at paying more on wages."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that his side are out of the running to win the Premier League title, after The Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City on Sunday.

A solitary second half David Silva goal sealed the win for the home side at the Etihad Stadium, and means that City move to 12 points clear of the North London outfit.

Wenger conceded that Arsenal needed to win to be in the hunt for top spot, and feels the gap to the frontrunners is too much to claw back.

“Unfortunately for us it was a game that we couldn’t afford to lose because it puts us too much [behind City],” he told the club’s official website.

“If we had won the game we would have come back to six points and with players coming back like our full-backs and [Jack] Wilshere and [Abou] Diaby – we will have a better squad in the second half of the season.

“At the moment we are too far behind.

“I think it was a game that could have gone both ways. It was very intense with both teams going for it and I feel as well that we were a bit unlucky.

“Their goalkeeper had a good game and we were a bit unlucky with the fact that we had to reshuffle completely at the back in a position where we are already short – we paid too much for that.

“Overall I did feel at half-time that we would win the game if we stayed stable at the back.

“We lacked a bit of accuracy with our final ball in the final third as well because we had a few opportunities where we didn’t pass the ball well.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“But overall we had a very positive performance, great spirit, quality, but we lacked a little bit of what is vital in the big games,” he stated.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]

Watching the US Masters as an occasional break from my constant diet of football, it became clear that no matter how much people knock him and all his personal problems you just cannot keep Tiger Woods down.

Woods hasn’t won the tournament by a long stretch but only three shots off the lead has left many of his detractors dumbfounded. The sports biggest star being written off and criticised for personal problems only to put it all behind him and show the world he’s still one of the best.

Sound familiar? The correlation between the recent career or Woods and a certain Scouse Striker cannot be ignored. This got me thinking which other Masters contenders are the most like certain United strikers here’s a brief list which you may or may not agree with.

Tiger Woods/Wayne Rooney

The similarities are obvious. Prodigious talents, that at one point seemed almost freakish in their excellence at such an early age. Won every major honour there is to win and still hungry for more. A fondness for the ladies which has caused a little bit of embarrassment but regardless of the press crucifixion who would bet against this year being another massively successful one?

Phil Mickelson/Michael Owen

One of the most gifted golfers of the modern era and one of the best footballers, yet for all their successes there’s still a small feeling that they haven’t quite achieved what they could have. With four major championship wins and almost 40 event wins, you can hardly call Mickelson’s career anything other than a triumph. Owen on the other hand has won every domestic trophy there is bar the league, has won the UEFA cup and been named European footballer of the year.

Yet for both men, there ‘great’ could have been ‘greatest’ Mickelson at one point looked like the man who was actually going to usurp the all powerful Woods as the world’s best golfer but never quite managed to become the world’s number one, despite some amazing victories. Owen was once the most talked about striker in the world but has never quite reached the success of a Rooney or a Thierry Henry despite his obvious abilities.

[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]

Lee Westwood/Dimitar Berbatov

People may have knocked both Westwood and Berbatov over the years and claimed they hadn’t achieved all they could, yet both of them are still proving critics wrong and who’s to say there isn’t more to come this year. Berbatov may have been found wanting at times last year when United needed someone to step into Wayne Rooney’s boots- although almost every Red denies ever saying that now, yet he’s shown this season he’s one of the world’s best.

Westwood may still be searching for that elusive major but how many players out there can say they’ve been world number one? Both are a tad unappreciated

Rory McIlroy/Chicharito

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

A year or so ago you could be forgiven for not knowing who McIlroy was yet following his successes in 2010 and this year he’s now established as one the world’s top golfers at the age of just 21. Chicharito is the same, having come from seemingly nowhere to now be regarded as one of the most exciting attackers in the world.

What’s the betting that the United striker goes on to become one of the world’s top strikers- he’s on his way already- as for McIlroy, call me optimistic but there’s every chance we could be seeing the dawn of a new era in golf- much may depend on how The Masters pans out to see whether now is truly the Northern Irishman’s time.

Why not have a flutter on The Masters before it’s too late?

Read more of Justin’s articles at the excellent Red Flag Flying High

[bet_365 type=’odds’ size=’300′ af_code=’365_050711′]

Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton has urged injury-hit defender Steven Taylor not to be too downhearted at missing the start of the new season.

The 24-year-old centre-back faces around three months on the sidelines due to a shoulder problem, but Hughton is confident that Taylor will return to be a key player later on in the campaign.

He told The Gazette:“It’s something everybody experiences. What you want to do is come back fitter and mentally stronger from it.

“Steven’s got absolutely everything in front of him – he’ll miss the first period of the season, but there’s plenty more football to play.

“It’s a hurdle to overcome. It’s part and parcel of a footballer’s life.

“What he has to do is take out of his mind the games that he’ll miss and very much put into his mind the games he’ll be available for.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“It’s a big blow for us because it’s an important position, but there’s a massive chunk of the season he’ll be available for. He’s got to get his mindset now on getting back from this injury.”

Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

It was 50 years ago last week that I signed for Tottenham Hotspur from AC Milan. Most Spurs fans will be able to tell you how many titles the club have won since Danny Blanchflower’s heroes in April 1961 – and pretty much every Arsenal fan has the answer too. A big fat zero. In half a century. Nowhere near good enough.

Not for the first time, people have recently started whispering that Tottenham could finally be genuine title challengers again this term. The jury is very much out for me, especially with Manchester City – who won 5-1 at White Hart Lane in August – having set such a blistering pace.

I certainly fancy Spurs for a Champions League spot. Who would bet against a top-four finish for a midfield that consists of the two reigning Footballers of the Year, Scott Parker and Gareth Bale, as well as Tottenham’s own in-house player of the year, Luka Modric and a wonderful talent in Rafa van der Vaart?

But it is not so much the individual ability that has got people talking so glowingly about this side – it is the fact Tottenham are blessed with an outstanding professionalism, a desire to do the simple stuff right as well as the brilliant things. In the 50 years since I signed for Spurs, six months after they completed the Double, the club have had many great players – but never 11 players with the right attitude.

[divider]

After that Double-winning team broke up, we still had a side with enough talent to win further titles. But while we had seven or eight players with extremely professional attitudes, there were also two or three poseurs – great when things were flying but who went missing when the chips were down. And the great teams, the title-winning teams, never carry poseurs.

Danny’s Double-winning side, for instance, did not just possess immense talent, it contained phenomenal character as well.Blanchflower was a great intellect and a towering figure, bigger than the chairman, bigger even than the manager Bill Nicholson or the magnificent Dave Mackay. Characters like Blanchflower turn talented teams into title-winners.

When Harry Redknapp signed Parker and Brad Friedel, it was not rocket science. These were two proven year-in, year-out Premier League performers who were never going to let the manager down. It’s funny to recall that Spurs have made some weird and wonderful managerial appointments down the years – the likes of Christian Gross, Jacques Santini and Juande Ramos – when all the while they had the perfect candidate pretty much on their doorstep in Harry.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[divider]

For me, the wonderful thing about Redknapp is that he doesn’t have an ego, at least not in the destructive way in which many managers insist it has always got to be about them. He’s happy to take on a Van der Vaart or an Emmanuel Adebayor and let them take the limelight.

Adebayor seemed like a gamble too far. I didn’t like Harry’s decision to sign him to replace Peter Crouch, but so far I’ve been proved wrong. Adebayor’s work-rate has been exemplary and that’s a credit to Harry because while his talent has never been in doubt, his attitude has been questioned.

It remains to be seen whether Spurs possess enough ruthless professionalism over the course of a season – but the signs are good. They are punching above their weight in a stadium and with a wage bill far smaller than most of their major rivals. But if they want to put the history boys of 1960-61 to bed, winning a cup and making the Champions League won’t be enough. Only the title will do.

Since Norwich have been in and around the top six places in the Championship, the debate has been whether they are really good enough for the Premier League, are they ready for the Premiership and would they survive, if they were to go up?

Well time will tell in the answers to these key questions, but at this stage of the season there is quite simply no place for fear or insecurity, the team has earned the chance to compete for a place in arguably the best league in the world.

There is no doubt that the team would need to be strengthened, but just like this season there will be players who will step up to the challenge. What is not in question is the strong team spirit, excellent manager and ambitious board. Although, Norwich may have progressed quicker than many people expected, Premier League football is a key objective; Norwich already has a stadium that can hold 27,000 fans in addition to impressive youth and training facilities.

[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]

The Championship this season has been tight and there has been no stand out teams, this represents a fantastic opportunity for Norwich to grab a place in the top two. Big teams like West Ham, Wolves and Wigan could be relegated from the Premier League and make the Championship very difficult next season. Not to mention big spenders like Hull and Leicester looking to break into the top six.

Some people forget that Norwich are no strangers to the Premier League and were in fact one of the founder members. Those early days of the Premier League included some inspired performances from the Canaries. The real highlights being an impressive third place finish and a run to Europe that included a now famous victory against Bayern Munich.

Since, then Norwich have enjoyed one further spell in the top flight in the 2004/5 season, and although the team were relegated that season, they would have learned a lot about the Premiership. These experiences should ensure that Norwich City are prepared for the challenges of the Premier League.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Changes will need to be made, but I’m sure that promotion to the Premier League is crucial for the club to progress. Time will tell if Norwich can maintain their place, but even if they can’t the financial rewards on offer will still be massive and it’s a chance they simply can’t afford to pass up, because who knows when they will get another opportunity.

[bet_365 type=’odds’ size=’300′ af_code=’365_050711′]

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is remaining tight-lipped on reports linking him with a move for Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland.

Both Ireland and Paraguay World Cup striker Nelson Valdez are reported to be on Bruce's summer shopping list.

However, the Black Cats boss is keeping his transfer cards close to his chest.

Bruce is reported to be on the lookout for a new central midfielder in the mould of City's Ireland following last week's surprise sale of former skipper Lorik Cana to Galatasaray.

"We have got a couple of irons in the fire and we have put a bid in today (Wednesday) for a player," he said.

"I am not going to tell you who, but we hope we can make inroads on it.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"I would envisage we will get a couple of new faces in before the season starts."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

As the Premier League reaches its quarter stage, many players have excelled and impressed in the opening nine games with some high score demolitions and last gasp winners. However, some players have not been up to expectations and this is a chance to name and shame.

The Champions of last year have been embarrassed by their rivals; however they have inflicted similar defeats of their other rivals. Some teams have underachieved so far and some the complete opposite but there is no denying that some players have just been poor. Whether it be missed chances, lack of effort, goalkeeping howlers or defensive mistakes, plenty of performances have raised eyebrows this season for good and bad reasons and here is a list of the top 10 players that have disappointed so far this season.

Click on Roger Johnson to unveil the top 10 players to have disappointed this season

[divider]

[divider]

List compiled by Brad Pinard

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[divider]

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]